When I viewed the proofs of my engagement pictures, I had a harsh reality check. My wedding is only a little over a year away, and I don’t want to look at my crooked, crowded teeth in all those pictures! I had a consultation with an orthodontist today, and he said it would take two years–at least–to straighten out my teeth with braces. I don’t have that kind of time, and I sure don’t want to look at a mouth full of metal in my wedding pictures!
Is there a quicker way to get my smile straightened out it time for the wedding?
Dakota in South Haven, MI
Dear Dakota,
You have two outstanding choices that will give you a wedding-perfect smile in just a few months, but you need to talk to an expert cosmetic dentist, not an orthodontist.
Invisaligninvisible braces could be an option for you. The severity of your teeth’s crowding and crookedness will obviously affect treatment time, but some Invisalign treatments can be completed in as little as 6-9 months. An additional positive point for Invisalign braces is that even if your treatment is not complete in time for the wedding, you could always remove the aligners for the day of the ceremony and the pictures. After months of treatment, your teeth would certainly look much better, even if they are not perfectly straight by the day of the ceremony.
An even faster alternative is porcelain veneers. Porcelain veneers do not truly straighten your teeth, but they create the appearance of perfectly straight teeth. Be extremely cautious about the dentist you chose to do your porcelain veneers. A dentist without the proper training and artistic sense could cost you a lot of time and money.
The best option for you is to have a consultation with an expert cosmetic dentist who is also certified to do Invisalign braces. This way, he or she can offer you a truly informed opinion on which solution would be best for your individual situation.
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding.