Every year around this time, the same two kinds of calls come in at Palisades Dental. The first sounds like this: “We’re doing family photos at Thanksgiving. Is there anything you can do before then?” The second: “I’ve wanted to fix my smile for years. I think next year is finally the year.”
Both are great questions. They just have different answers, because the right cosmetic treatment depends as much on your calendar as it does on your teeth. Some changes happen in a single visit. Others take a few months and are worth every week of it.
Dr. Jeff Youngquist and the Palisades Dental team put together this guide so you can find your starting point by the amount of time you’ve got.
First, Find Your Timeline
Count the weeks between today and the date that matters to you: the holiday photos, the wedding, the reunion, or just “sometime next year.” Then jump to your section.
| Time you have | Realistic options at Palisades Dental | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| About 2 weeks | Professional whitening, bonding for small chips and gaps | Brighter color, quick fixes for photos |
| About 2 months | Whitening plus bonding, porcelain veneers (planned and placed) | A noticeably new smile by the holidays or soon after |
| 6 months or more | Clear aligners [CONFIRM offered], dental implants, combined smile makeovers | Bigger changes to alignment or missing teeth |
If You Have About Two Weeks
Two weeks is enough time to make a visible difference, as long as you pick the right tool.
Professional whitening is the fastest way to change how your smile photographs. It works on natural enamel and handles yellowing from coffee, tea, and time especially well. Two things to know: whitening doesn’t change the color of crowns, fillings, or bonding, and a little temporary sensitivity is common. Starting two weeks out gives you room to adjust if you need it.
Bonding fixes the small things the camera catches: a chipped front tooth, a small gap, an edge that’s shorter than its neighbor. Tooth-colored resin is shaped right onto the tooth, often in a single appointment.
A tip from the Palisades Dental team: if you’re doing both, whiten first. Bonding is matched to the shade of your teeth, so you want your teeth at their final color before it goes on.
Don’t do this with two weeks to go: order a strong whitening product online and use it every day to “catch up.” That’s how people end up with sore gums and sensitive teeth right before the big day.
If You Have About Two Months
Two months opens the door to real transformation.
Porcelain veneers are thin, custom shells that cover the front of your teeth and change color, shape, and symmetry all at once. They take a few steps: a consultation and planning, preparing the teeth, and then placing the final veneers once they come back from the lab. With a couple of months, there’s time to do that carefully, including any adjustments, without rushing the result.
Veneers are a bigger commitment than whitening or bonding. Most require removing a thin layer of enamel, so it’s a permanent decision. That’s exactly why Dr. Youngquist spends real time on the planning conversation: what you want, what your bite and gums will support, and whether a simpler option could get you there.
Whitening plus bonding is the other strong two-month play. It’s more conservative and often surprisingly effective, especially when the concern is one or two teeth plus overall color.
If You Have Six Months or More
This is where the “next year is the year” crowd lives, and it’s a good place to be. More time means more options.
Dental implants replace missing teeth with a titanium post that fuses with your jawbone, topped by a custom crown. The healing phase is what takes time, usually a few months before the final crown. If a missing tooth has bothered you in every photo, starting now puts that healing time behind you sooner.
A combined smile makeover might pull several pieces together: aligners first to line things up, then whitening, then bonding or veneers to finish. Order matters here, and a good plan saves you from redoing work later.
A Few Honest Rules That Apply to Every Timeline
- Health comes first. Cavities or gum inflammation need attention before cosmetic work, or the result won’t last. A quick exam sorts this out.
- Whiten before you match. Any bonding, veneers, or crowns should be matched to your final whitened shade.
- Start earlier than you think. The holiday calendar fills quickly at every dental office. Booking a consult now keeps your options open.
- Check your benefits. Cosmetic work usually isn’t covered, but related care like exams, fillings, or parts of implant treatment sometimes is. Unused dental benefits often reset at the new year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the fastest way to improve my smile before holiday photos?
Professional whitening and bonding. Both can make a visible difference within a couple of weeks.
How long do veneers take from start to finish?
Usually a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on planning and lab time. Starting about two months ahead gives you comfortable breathing room.
Can I get implants done before the holidays?
Usually not start to finish, because the implant needs a few months to heal into the bone. Starting now means your new tooth could be finished early next year.
Should I whiten before getting veneers or bonding?
Yes. Veneers and bonding don’t change color, so get your natural teeth to the shade you want first.
Does Palisades Dental offer free consultations?
Call the office at 801-756-1009 to ask about consultation options and scheduling.
Your Smile, on Your Schedule
Whether your date is a family photo next month or a fresh start next year, Dr. Jeff Youngquist and the Palisades Dental team would love to meet you, look at your smile with you, and build a plan that fits your calendar here in American Fork. Come in with a date, and we’ll tell you honestly what’s possible.
Explore cosmetic dentistry at Palisades Dental.
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