While Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, so too is wedding season. Many a bride has dreamed of this day – wearing an elaborate white gown and staring into the eyes of their beloved. However, many of those dreams have been turned into a nightmare – gaps, discolored teeth, and uneven smiles have caused many brides to panic.

Relax. The wedding of your dreams doesn’t have to be a nightmare. From new whitening techniques to restorative dental work, the smile of your dreams is within your reach come your wedding day.

A whiter smile is the top request of brides.  There are many tiers of tooth whitening available today, but know that the darker your teeth, the more help they need. Over-the-counter whitening strips are a good option if your teeth are already white. But if you have significant discoloration, or discoloration on the sides of the teeth, these strips likely will not be sufficient. The next step is usually take-home whitening trays or laser whitening, which may be a better option for significant whitening that needs to be done in a short period of time.

Restoring broken, chipped, cracked or stained teeth is another common request. Bonding can improve the appearance of teeth that are chipped, broken, cracked, stained or have spaces between them. With bonding, tooth-colored materials are applied, or bonded, to the tooth surface. This simple, non-invasive conservative procedure can also close spaces.

Veneers are another popular choice. These thin, custom-made shells cover the front side of teeth, and can be used to treat spaces between teeth and teeth that are chipped or worn, permanently stained, poorly shaped or slightly crooked. Crowns may be needed if porcelain veneers won’t do the trick.

Cosmetic dentists can correct minor defects in the shape and appearance of a tooth through a process referred to as tooth contouring or tooth reshaping, which is, essentially like filing your nails.

Regardless of what procedure you choose, make sure your dentist is skilled in cosmetic dentistry.