One tradition that has become universal in many cultures is photographing the event for the express purpose of recording forever the magic of a wedding day. Whether bride or groom, you’ll want to look your best and in the midst of all the preparations and the stress involved, you’ll want to consider planning to look your best as far ahead of time as possible.
Anything related to appearance and health, whether oral or general, might just require more time and planning than you think. Whether it be shedding a few extra pounds, quitting smoking or other life style changes, try to see them in the broader context of a long term health strategy. Make sure the changes you want to undergo to enhance yourself for the day, go into making your marriage a more healthy and fruitful long term venture in which you as a couple invest in yourselves and in each other. Envision how you see yourself and take the steps necessary to achieve realistic objectives.
The Plan
Your general dentist is a good place to start to consider the best overall approach to smile enhancement and healthy teeth. If you don’t have one, find someone you are comfortable with. You can call specialists in your area and ask who they would recommend for cosmetic dentistry or speak to your friends and discuss their experiences. If you have a dentist, he can inform you of the variety of treatments, therapies and procedures to enhance your smile. Very often form follows function “if something looks right it probably is right, so if you’re going to change one or more elements of your smile it needs to be planned. Part of planning is figuring out what needs to be changed, and part of that is assessing or diagnosing how you are now,” the starting point for change. Another thing to remember is that the bigger the change you want to make the longer it’s likely to take.
Let’s look at some of the most innovative and effective techniques available to make your wedding day pictures eternally memorable and the timing considerations involved.
Dental Cleanings
You can’t get more basic than this! Get your teeth professionally cleaned for removal of unwanted stains and to freshen your breath so that all is spic and span for your wedding day spotlight pictures. Keep it that way with daily effective bacterial plaque control. Make sure you schedule an appointment with your dentist or dental hygienist well ahead of time so you’re guaranteed an appointment for a dental cleaning.
Teeth Whitening
Whiter, brighter, lighter….. If you like everything about your teeth except the color, whitening by bleaching may be the solution for you. A professional “in-office” dental procedure offers the advantage of being quicker and more predictable, while an “at-home” kit may brighten your smile by several shades, but requires more time. Both are safe, effective and reasonable!
Bonding
Oh James! Before you truly “bond” with your spouse to be, make sure those little chips on your front teeth or broken discolored old fillings are replaced with the latest tooth colored bonding materials. This procedure provides life-like restoration of teeth with “high tech” materials that bond and become part of the teeth themselves while retaining the same light transmitting properties of tooth enamel. You’ll never know that they’re not yours. This is a same day procedure, but make sure you schedule a dental exam so that your dentist can tell you how much time is needed for a bonding appointment.
Veneers
By definition, a veneer is “a thin outer covering, a deceptively attractive outer show.” If necessary let them work for your wedding day smile. This is a great and effective way to change the shape and color of darkened or otherwise unsightly teeth and not for just an hour or a day, but always. Veneers require reducing the outer enamel shell of the teeth and replacing them with glass — like porcelain recreating nature’s artistry and giving you exactly the look and color you desire. Allow at least three months for the veneers to be tested in the temporary stage, so that the finals are just right.
Crown & Bridge
A crown or “cap” is generally required when a tooth has been ravaged by decay and is best “restored” by placing a crown. A crown can also be used for cosmetic purposes improving both color and shape. For missing teeth, a bridge may be a little less expensive and possibly more expedient than implants. A bridge includes two abutments (or pillars) to which a false tooth (pontic) is attached. Crown and bridgework looks and functions quite naturally.
Periodontal Plastic Surgery
Today, surgical techniques can invisibly alter your gum tissues and their relationship to the teeth. Gummy smiles can be corrected, exposed root surfaces covered and more. These “plastic” (reshaping) surgical procedures use internal techniques which result in comfortable recovery and minimal healing. Periodontal plastic surgery (tooth lengthening) may also be needed before teeth can be restored for cosmetic purposes. Consult with your dentist or periodontist.
Dental Implants
Has dentistry really outdone nature? Natural looking and functional stand alone tooth replacement systems consist of an implant — a root replacement which permanently joins to the bone and to which a crown is attached. Just like the teeth you see in your mouth, but unlike natural teeth, they won’t decay or develop gum disease. Dental implants take planning and time (3 to 12 months) to provide permanent tooth replacements.
Orthodontics
Orthodontic treatment is an ingenious scientific discovery that has allowed the dental profession to accurately and precisely move teeth into improved aesthetic alignment and functional position. From minor movement using clear aligners to full braces to correct a bad bite the “original smile creator” can work its magic for you. This may take anywhere from several months to three years. Consult with your dentist or orthodontist.
