I have been planning my smile makeover for quite some time now and I’m getting very excited to turn all that planning into a reality. I have put in the time to interview the best cosmetic dentists in my area and check out their portfolios and credentials.

Here’s the plan. Four new porcelain veneers on my top teeth to fix the crooked and unevenness, as well as closing the gaps. To fix the discoloration I have been doing whitening. I have done the professional teeth whitening sessions and also take-home trays. My dentist is recommending that I wait until the bleaching is complete before moving forward with the veneers. I simply don’t think I can wait a few more months at this point. I am so ready to have a beautiful new smile. Do I really have to wait? Can I get the veneers and then finish bleaching later?

– Perry in Florida

Perry,

Trust your cosmetic dentist. You have put in the time and effort into finding the best cosmetic dentist in your area, so now it’s time to let him do his job. The porcelain veneers shouldn’t be placed until you are done with the whitening because there is really no possible way to know the exact shade of your teeth until the teeth whitening is complete. The porcelain veneers will be matched to the exact shade of your surrounding teeth at the laboratory. And after the veneers are in place, they cannot be whitened with bleaching. The tooth behind the veneers my lighten slightly if they were bleached, but you really need to trust your cosmetic dentist’s recommendations.

It is understandable that you are excited to have your beautiful new smile complete. But don’t skip ahead at this point or you may be left disappointed. When it’s all said and done, you will absolutely love your beautiful smile and it well have been well worth the wait.

Good luck!

This post is sponsored by Atlanta cosmetic dentist Flax Dental.