When should I start counting back for dental treatment before my wedding?
Count back from the wedding photo shoot. The shoot usually takes place a month or two before the ceremony, and the photos last. If you count only from the ceremony, the schedule is off by a month or so.
Tooth color in photos comes out a step brighter than what you see with your eyes. Studio lighting and a white dress or shirt make the teeth stand out more, so I aim half a shade lower from the start. The goal is a color that looks natural in everyday life and doesn't stand out in the album.
What treatments are possible depending on how much time is left before the shoot?
| Treatment | When to start, counting from the shoot | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Partial orthodontics for the front teeth | 6 months before | Moving teeth takes months |
| Brinate | 1 month before | Time for the color to settle after whitening, plus fabrication time (same day to about 2 weeks) |
| Professional teeth whitening | 2 weeks before | The color needs time to settle |
| Scaling | 2 weeks before | The gums need time to settle down |
| Stain removal and polishing | Possible even 1 week before | Removes only surface stains |
If there are two or three months left, it's hard to align the teeth with partial orthodontics. If there is one week left, only treatment that removes surface stains remains. If it's too late, I'll be the first to tell you.
If I do Brinate and whitening together, which comes first?
Whitening comes first. Brinate is a thin veneer placed without shaving, so the color of the tooth underneath shows through. If the veneers are bonded first and the surrounding teeth are brightened later, the porcelain doesn't whiten, so only the bonded teeth stand out.
| Brinate type | Thickness | Time from whitening to bonding |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | Around 0.3mm | Same day possible |
| Build-up | 0.1mm | About 1 week |
| Platinum | 0.1mm | About 2 weeks |
The veneers are placed after the color has settled, and if this period is longer than the time remaining, that treatment is left out for this shoot. You can also do Brinate alone. The method is described in detail at Brinate (no-prep porcelain veneers).
Brinate involves no shaving, so there is no anesthesia and no temporary tooth, and it usually takes two visits. If you have them bonded with time to spare before the shoot, you also get time to adjust to eating and speaking with them. If the teeth stick forward or the mouth is skeletally protruding, I don't place them, regardless of the shoot schedule.
Will the whitened color last until the day of the shoot?
Whitening is brightest on the day it is done, and the color settles over a few days to a few weeks. So if needed, we do additional whitening timed to the shoot and the ceremony. I don't promise that the color on the day will be your color for life. For the first few days afterward, cut back on strongly colored foods like coffee, wine, and curry. How long the effect lasts is written up separately in How long teeth whitening lasts.
How we do it at Wonjin Dental
Color isn't chosen with a mirror alone. With the veneers temporarily placed, I have the two of you look at it yourselves in the photo room. That is because if only one person's teeth are brighter, the difference stays in the photos. During the week of the shoot, we schedule appointments around both of your schedules. That said, I don't rush things for that one day. You'll keep using your front teeth long after.
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Professional teeth whitening, 1 session / 3 sessions | ₩110,000 / ₩330,000 |
| Stain removal | ₩100,000 |
| Scaling not covered by insurance (insurance-covered scaling is once a year) | ₩60,000 |
| Brinate Basic / Build-up / Platinum (per tooth) | ₩330,000 / ₩550,000 / ₩990,000 |
As of September 2026, VAT included (cosmetic treatment). All items are listed in All fees.
Frequently asked questions
My wedding is a month away. Can I do both whitening and Brinate?
Yes, if your teeth are suitable. After whitening, Basic can be bonded the same day and Build-up about 1 week later, so it fits within a month. However, if the teeth stick forward or the mouth is skeletally protruding, I don't do Brinate.
Doesn't whitening cause sensitivity?
Some people have sensitivity for a day or two right after whitening. It usually settles within a few days, but it's more comfortable to leave room in your schedule rather than cramming it in right before the shoot.
Does my future spouse need to do it too?
Not necessarily. However, if only one person's teeth are bright, the difference stands out in photos, so I recommend looking at both of your colors together before deciding.
Why is scaling done 2 weeks before?
Because after tartar is removed, the gums can be swollen or bleed for a few days. Allowing time for them to settle makes the gums look comfortable in photos.
