Congratulations on your engagement! Your wedding day is one of the most important days in your life, so you naturally want to look your best. A bright and confident smile will help you enjoy your day, and you can proudly display your wedding photos many years from now. Depending on your unique needs, there are a few ways your dentist can help you prepare for the big day. Planning and having these services done well in advance ensures you'll be ready since some of these services require several weeks to complete.

How a Dentist Can Get Your Smile Wedding-Ready

1. Crowns

Dental crowns are realistic caps placed over damaged teeth, such as those with extensive tooth decay. Your dentist takes x-rays to determine the extent of the decay so that they can remove it all. After removing the decay, they reshape the tooth by filing it down on the top and sides, which gives them the space to place a crown over it. This process takes a couple of appointments, between which they need time to craft the crown. It's a good idea to schedule your first appointment at least four to six weeks before the wedding.

2. Veneers

Veneers are thin pieces of porcelain that permanently adhere to the front of teeth. They can make teeth look larger, straighter, and whiter and cover up other surface imperfections. The process involves a couple of appointments, as your dentist needs to take impressions of your teeth and match the color. They'll then create your veneers and schedule another appointment to bond them to your teeth. This process should be started at least three months before your wedding. If you'd like to have your teeth whitened before you get the veneers so you can match them to a whiter color, giving yourself at least four months is best. 

3. Whitening

Teeth whitening makes your smile visibly brighter and is the most popular service for brides and grooms. It removes yellowing and other surface stains such as those from coffee. This process takes a few in-office visits, and sometimes the coloration can look splotchy immediately after an appointment. It may take about a week for the color to even out and look its best. As a result, your smile will look its best on your wedding day if you begin the whitening process at least six weeks beforehand.

Your dental preparations for the big day are in good hands with Daniel M. Hamrick, DDS in China Grove, NC. This dentist and his team are known for their state-of-the-art care in a comfortable environment. They will help you achieve a healthy and beautiful smile in time for your wedding day. See their full list of services on their website, or call (704) 857-7497 to schedule an appointment.