The Bridal Book

Wedding Planner

Celebrations

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1. Take care of any trouble areas such as chipped teeth or discoloration right away."Don't wait until the last minute to decide to do something about your smile," says Dr. Ira Handschuh of the Dental Design Center in White Plains. "There will never be a time when you will smile more or take more photographs, so you want to have enough time to do things properly. You wouldn't buy your wedding gown the night before your wedding, so don't wait until the last minute to take care of your smile."

2. Decide what you want to improve. It may be that your teeth are not as white as they can be, or perhaps there is a gap that needs to be fixed. Determine what you want to have done and then consult with an appropriate professional to have the work done.

3. Basic tooth whitening can be done in the dentist's office, at home, or a combination of both. Dr. Handschuh recommends a combination of in-office with athome follow-ups. An in-offi ce procedure can be done in one session with a follow up of three nights to a week at home, but you need a couple of weeks before the big day to have the treatment settle in and prevent any irritation. Dr. Handschuh recommends several weeks to more than a month before the wedding, but says teeth whitening may be done in as little as two weeks before the day.

4. More serious issues may warrant bonding. Bonding works to enhance your smile by having glasslike material sculpted on top of the teeth. Bonding can change the shape and color of your teeth and can also give the illusion of teeth being in a different place.

5. The creme de la creme of procedures is porcelain laminates and veneers. Laminates and veneers can enhance misshapen teeth or poorly colored teeth, even those with dark staining. "This is for a bride who perhaps has avoided orthodontic treatments," says Dr. Handschuh, "but the beauty of this is that we can achieve the same results in as little as two visits." Plan to schedule visits early in your engagement and allow 1 to 2 weeks between visits, as well.

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