Reviewed by Dr. Avy Ariyev, DDS · Smile Studio of Great Neck
Short answer: more than you’d think. If you start in late October, there’s usually time to whiten your teeth, fix a chip or small gap with bonding, and in many cases finish porcelain veneers before New Year’s. Whitening and bonding each take one visit. Veneers take two or three visits spread over a few weeks. Invisalign® can start now, it just won’t be done by December.
What can you get done in a single visit?
Every year around this time, the phones get busier. People see the holiday photos coming and decide that the chipped tooth or the coffee stains they’ve been ignoring all year should finally get looked at. The good news is that a few of the most noticeable fixes are also the quickest.
A professional cleaning is the easy first step. It takes off a surprising amount of surface staining from coffee, tea and red wine, and it gets your teeth ready for anything else you decide to do.
If you want your teeth noticeably whiter, Opalescence™ in-office whitening is done in one appointment. New patients pay $350 instead of the regular $450 through our new patient whitening offer.
And if there’s a small chip on a front tooth or a little gap you’re tired of, cosmetic bonding can usually take care of it in the same day. Dr. Ariyev shapes tooth-colored resin right on the tooth, so there’s nothing to send out to a lab.
What takes a few weeks?
Porcelain veneers need a bit more planning. We scan your teeth, work out the shape and shade with you, and then bond the finished veneers at a later visit. Patients who start in October or early November often have them in before the New Year, but every mouth is different, and we’ll give you a realistic date at your first visit.
At our office, veneers typically run $1,795 to $2,200 per tooth. You can read how the process works on our porcelain veneers page, and the American Dental Association has a clear, plain-English overview of veneers too.
Should you whiten before bonding or veneers?
Yes, and it’s the one tip we repeat most. Bonding and porcelain don’t change color when you whiten. If you whiten first, we can match the new work to your brighter shade and everything blends. Do it the other way around and the new tooth can end up looking a shade off.
Is there time to straighten your teeth?
Honestly, not fully. Invisalign usually takes several months. But the aligners are clear and sit close to your teeth, so most people won’t notice them in photos, and starting now puts you months ahead by spring.
How much should you set aside?
It depends on what you pick, and plenty of people combine a couple of things. Whitening is the lowest-cost change. Bonding is priced per tooth and costs a lot less than veneers. Veneers are $1,795 to $2,200 per tooth, and Invisalign is about $5,300. Whitening plus bonding on one chipped tooth is a popular combination because it makes a real difference without a big bill. Our front desk will also check what your insurance or our membership plan might cover.
When should you book?
Sooner than you think. The weeks before Thanksgiving and Christmas fill up fast. For whitening or bonding before a specific party or trip, give yourself at least two weeks. For veneers, aim to start in October or early November.
We’re open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, with evening hours on Tuesday and Thursday, plus the first Sunday of each month. We’re closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. The office is at 1 Barstow Rd in Great Neck Plaza, a short walk from the LIRR station.
Where do you start?
With a conversation. Dr. Avy Ariyev will look at your teeth, ask what’s been bothering you, and tell you straight what fits your timeline and budget. You’ll get a written estimate before anything is done.
Frequently asked questions
Can I do more than one treatment in a visit?
Often, yes. A cleaning and whitening, or whitening followed by bonding, can sometimes be booked back to back. We’ll sort out the order at your consultation.
Will whitening make my teeth sensitive?
Some people feel a little sensitivity for a day or two. It usually settles quickly, and we can recommend a toothpaste that helps.
Is it too late to start veneers for Christmas?
Usually not, if you come in during October or early November. We’ll confirm your timeline after the exam.
Thinking about your holiday photos already? Book a smile makeover consultation or give us a call at 516-487-3655.