How far ahead should I plan a holiday smile makeover in Boca Raton?
Start with the date of your first holiday party, family photo or trip, then count backward. Some cosmetic treatments take a single visit; others need several weeks and more than one appointment. Booking a consultation in November leaves time for any treatment to be finished, and for your smile to settle, before the holidays.
How fast does teeth whitening work?
In-office Zoom! whitening at Boca Dental Arts brightens your smile in a single visit, which makes it the quickest option before an event. Custom take-home trays whiten gradually over a couple of weeks, at your own pace.
Whitening works on natural teeth, not on existing crowns, veneers or fillings. If you have visible dental work, your dentist can plan your whitening so everything matches.
Can dental bonding fix a chipped tooth before the holidays?
Often, yes. Cosmetic bonding uses tooth-colored resin to repair small chips and cracks, close small gaps and refine the shape of a tooth, often in one appointment. It's a fast, conservative fix if one tooth is bothering you in photos.
How long do porcelain veneers take?
Porcelain veneers are custom-made, so they take longer: usually a consultation, a visit to prepare your teeth and take impressions, and a final visit to bond the veneers once they're made. Plan for several weeks from your first appointment.
If you'd like veneers for the holidays, book your cosmetic consultation as early as you can. If the timing is too tight, whitening or bonding can brighten your smile now, and veneers can follow in the new year.
How do I protect my smile during the holiday season?
The holidays bring plenty of things that are hard on teeth. A few habits help keep your smile bright and your dental work intact.
- Don't crack nuts or open packages with your teeth
- Be careful with hard candy, candy canes and brittle
- Rinse with water after red wine, coffee or cranberry sauce to limit staining
- Keep up with brushing and flossing when your routine changes while traveling
- If you chip or crack a tooth, call your dentist promptly
Your cosmetic dentist in Boca Raton
At Boca Dental Arts, Dr. Axel McGuffie designs every smile makeover around your face and your goals, and works with locally owned dental laboratories. Our office on Powerline Road welcomes patients from Boca Raton, West Boca, Delray Beach, Deerfield Beach and Parkland.
Keep in mind that we're open Monday through Thursday and closed Friday through Sunday, so book early, as appointments before the holidays go quickly.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for a professional examination. For advice about your own smile, call Boca Dental Arts at (561) 235-5424.