The Wedding Smile Guide

Anjana Gosai asks the experts how to get your smile looking its best for the big day

Your wedding photos will be on the mantelpiece for decades, so it’s only natural to want to feel confident about your smile. If there’s something you’d like to change, the key is to start early. Whether it’s a chipped tooth that’s always bothered you or you want a brighter shade, there is usually a fix, as long as you give it time. Here’s what the dentists recommend.

Book a consultation early

If you want straighter or whiter teeth, it’s important to book a consultation and start the process early. “Orthodontic tooth movement is a biological process,” explains Dr Vishal Shah, founder and clinical director of Sensu (sensu.co.uk). Simple cases can take several months, but complex ones take considerably longer. “I would recommend having the initial consultation around 18 months to two years before the wedding where possible. That doesn’t necessarily mean treatment will take that long. It simply gives us breathing space.”

Straighten up

It’s tempting to jump straight to whitening, but dentists almost always start with alignment. If teeth aren’t in the right position, bonding and veneers can only do so much. “In some cases, aligning the teeth first can mean we need to do significantly less to the teeth afterwards, which is always preferable,” says Dr Shah. “I describe it as getting the foundations of the smile right first and then adding the finishing touches.” For crowded or uneven teeth, Invisalign treatment is the go-to, with more than 23 million smiles treated worldwide. Removable and transparent aligners gradually move teeth into place and the process is now fully digital, with a 3D scan replacing messy moulds. “We are not simply looking at making the front teeth appear straighter; we can plan the position of individual teeth, the bite and how the overall smile should come together,” shares Dr Shah. You’ll see a simulation of your finished smile before you start. Digital monitoring also lets your dentist check progress between appointments. Just be ready to wear your aligners consistently. Treatment starts from £2000 (www.invisalign.com).

Refine and shape

Once teeth are in place, chips, cracks and uneven edges can be refined with composite bonding. This involves applying a resin to the surface of the tooth and sculpting it into shape. If you want to change the shape and size of several teeth, veneers are an option. Cosmetic dentist Dr Rhona Eskander of The Chelsea Dental Clinic (www.chelseadentalclinic.co.uk) offers Contact Lens Veneers. These are ultra-thin (0.3mm) porcelain shells that mimic natural enamel and need little or no filing of the natural tooth. The clinic says they take half the time of traditional veneers and last longer. “Patients are increasingly asking for refinement, not replacement,” says Dr Eskander. “This isn’t about bigger, whiter or more uniform teeth. It’s about proportion, balance and longevity. The best dental work should look like nothing has been done.”

Clean and polish

If the thought of a hygienist scraping away at your teeth makes you wince, Airflow (clinics nationwide) is a much gentler option. It uses a fine jet of air, warm water and a powder to buff away plaque and surface stains. It can also get into those awkward gaps a toothbrush can’t reach, leaving teeth feeling super clean with a fresh canvas for whitening treatment to work on.

Brighten up

Whitening can take a couple of weeks, so don’t leave the process until the last minute. “Do have your teeth and gums checked before and use a treatment provided or supervised by a dental professional,” advises Dr Kev Patel, founder of Bond Dental London (www.bonddental.co.uk). Custom whitening trays are a great home-use option. We recommend the Bond Teeth Whitening Kit (£395), which starts with a 3D scan to create trays moulded to your teeth that can be used at home with professional-strength whitening gel. Most people start to see a difference within a few days. Just avoid red wine, coffee and turmeric for 48 hours after whitening, while teeth are at their most porous, and try using a straw for pigmented drinks. As for the shade, think natural rather than dazzling. “Aim for a result that looks naturally bright,” says Dr Patel. “One visual guide is to use the whites of the eyes. If the teeth are dramatically brighter than that, they can start to look less natural.” Factor in any existing dental work too. “Whitening will lighten natural teeth, but it won’t change the colour of things like fillings, crowns or veneers, so that can affect the shade you ultimately want to achieve,” Dr Patel adds.

At home care

If you have a week or so to go before the wedding, don’t start anything aggressive and focus on maintaining a radiant smile. Stick to brushing twice a day with an electric toothbrush and floss on a daily basis. Use your whitening trays for a top-up, if your dentist advised and book any final hygiene appointment in good time. The week before is less about achieving a Hollywood smile and more about having clean teeth, healthy gums and feeling comfortable with your smile.