Getting dental treatment can sometimes feel like a large undertaking, especially in the cosmetic world. Making sure your smile meets your cosmetic goals isn’t something that can, or should, be done quickly. Cosmetic dentistry in Davidsonville, MD, can take a few weeks to complete, but it’s worth the wait for a smile you can proudly show off. Exactly how long you’ll be in treatment will often depend on the severity of your case and the specific procedures involved. Prior to starting treatment, your dentist should provide you with an estimated timeline.

What Affects Treatment Time for Cosmetic Dentistry in Davidsonville, MD

Treatment time has two main factors: time spent in the chair and time spent between appointments. For many cosmetic procedures, you’ll need at least two appointments with two or three weeks of time in between. However, some procedures, such as dental bonding, could be completed in as little as one appointment. After examining your mouth and discussing your cosmetic needs, your dentist can help determine how long treatment might take.

Complexity of Case

Minor imperfections in your smile are often quicker to fix than more complex cases. Take, for example, a patient who has gaps between their teeth. If there are only two or three teeth with minimal gaps, they may be able to improve their smile with a quick dental bonding appointment. If they have gaps between every tooth in their smile line, they may need porcelain veneers. But if malocclusion is very complex, they may need to spend a few months in treatment with Invisalign. Many cosmetic treatments can often address the same issues, but the complexity of your case will likely affect which treatment you need.

Additional Treatment

In some cases, you may need additional treatment to help improve your oral health or smile. If you’re getting porcelain veneers, for example, you can often color-match them to your desired shade. If you want to whiten your smile and fix any misshapen teeth, you may need to get professional teeth whitening prior to starting the veneer procedure. Your dentist may also recommend restorative and preventative treatments such as periodontal therapy. These could help improve your oral health for more effective treatment. 

Budget

Most insurance companies tend to be more restrictive when it comes to coverage for cosmetic procedures. This means you’ll likely pay for most, if not all, of treatment out-of-pocket. If you have a large case, this can be a big sum to pay up-front. Your dentist may be able to help break your treatment into different phases. While this could extend your overall treatment time, it could also help reduce the financial strain.

At Wooddell & Passaro, we believe that every patient has the right to a smile they can be proud of. We offer a range of cosmetic treatment options that could help improve the look and feel of your smile. Call us today at (410) 956-5555 to schedule a consultation and see if cosmetic dentistry is right for you.