How to Create a Dental Plan for a Wedding or Special Event
If you have a wedding or other special event coming up, you want to look your very best. This includes having a gorgeous, dazzling smile that’s photo ready. To get ready for the big day, we suggest developing an event dental plan. Since some cosmetic dental procedures, such as veneers or implants, can take multiple visits to complete, it’s important to get started on any needed dental work long before the event date. To help with your planning, here’s a sample timeline that many of our patients use to make sure their smile is picture-perfect.
Consultation: 6 Months to 1 Year Before Event
The first thing you need to do is schedule a consultation with a qualified local dentist, like Dr. Corina Marcus DDS in Mountlake Terrace, WA. Dr. Marcus will review your dental history, current issues, and areas you’d like to improve. Together, she will help you create a precise timeline and cost estimate for everything you’d like done to give you the smile you’ve always dreamed of, with plenty of time to spare before the big event.
Invisalign: 1 Year Before Event
If minor misalignment is an issue you want to correct before your special event, be sure to give yourself at least a full year to complete the alignment process. With the Invisalign tooth alignment process, we can usually correct minor misalignments in less than a year, drastically changing the appearance and symmetry of your smile, and possibly improving conditions like TMJ disorders.
Smile Makeover: 1 Year Before Event
If your dental plan includes two or more restorative and/or cosmetic procedures, sometimes known as a Smile Makeover, then you’ll also need to start those at least a year before the event date. These procedures could include veneers, cosmetic bonding, implants, bridges, crowns, fillings, and more. In addition to the time necessary to complete these procedures, which can often require multiple visits, you’ll need to account for healing time between procedures as well.
Veneers: 3 Months Before Event
If you don’t need restorative work but still want a cosmetic improvement to your smile, veneers are a great option. Veneers are thin coverings used on the front of the teeth to make them appear straighter and more uniform. Veneers are custom-fit to each patient, so give yourself at least three months lead time to make sure there’s plenty of time to create the veneers and ensure the perfect fit.
Dental Cleaning: 2 Months Before Event
You should have your teeth cleaned by a professional at least twice each year, including just a couple of months or so before any special events. A comprehensive dental cleaning will remove stubborn stains, clear away plaque, and blast off tartar buildup. Don’t miss this vital step in your event dental plan!
Teeth Whitening: 1 Month Before Event
Finally, about a month before the event, have your teeth professionally whitened. A dental professional will use a potent whitening solution, far beyond what you can purchase in a retail store, to rapidly remove staining and give you a bright, white smile. Don’t wait until the last week to do this though, since whitening leaves the teeth dehydrated and they need time to recover after the whitening treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Creating a Dental Plan for a Special Event
Do I really need to start my dental plan over a year before the special event date?
Yes, we definitely recommend getting started with your special event dental plan 12-18 months before the event date. This will allow plenty of time for multiple treatments and treatments that require multiple visits. Since not all dental procedures can be done simultaneously, it’s imperative that you allow enough time to get everything done before the big day.
I’m not sure what procedures I need in my dental plan…how can I find out?
A consultation with a qualified restorative and cosmetic dentist is the best way to pinpoint exactly which dental procedures should be included in your special event dental plan, and in which order they should be done for best results.
Stop the Show at Your Big Event with a Picture-Perfect Smile
Together with a qualified dentist and their team, you can create an event dental plan for your upcoming special occasion that will ensure your smile is ready for any photo moment. If you’re in the northern Seattle metro area, including Mountlake Terrace, work with the dental professionals at Altitude Dental to prepare for your big day. From weddings to graduations to anniversaries and more, we can help you achieve your ideal smile for any event. Give us a call at 425-775-3446 or request an appointment online to get started today.