I am so ready for a smile makeover. I have waited a long time to get started and I’ve done my research and found the best cosmetic dentist to place four veneers on my top front teeth. I’ve been whitening for several weeks (in-office and at home). I want to get started on the veneers right now, but my dentist says I need to wait until I am completely done whitening so that he can match the color. I’m pretty sure I will be whitening for at least a couple more months and I am tired of waiting. Won’t the colors of the veneers be close enough? The dentist knows how white I want to go with my other teeth, so can’t he just plan on matching that particular shade? — Emma
Emma,
It’s so exciting to anticipate a new and vibrant smile, but, your dentist is right on when he says you need to wait. Even if you found the most skilled and knowledgeable dentist on the planet, he or she would not be able to know ahead of time the exact color of your teeth once you have finished whitening – especially since you are doing a combination of in-office and at-home.
Porcelain veneers are not cheap (which you probably know already), so why would you not want to ensure you have the best possible outcome by doing it right from the start? Because veneers are made in a lab, your dentist has to specifically request the color of porcelain that matches your natural teeth. If you are still whitening, it will be impossible to predict a final shade, especially if your teeth continue to get whiter. Just remember, good things take time… and in the end, you’ll realize that your beautiful, new smile was worth the wait.
This blog post is brought to you by Des Moines cosmetic dentist, Dr. Phelan Thomas. For more information on the services he provides, please visit his Des Moines cosmetic dentist website.