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Make sure your pearly whites shine for those wedding-day pictures with this tooth-whitening procedure.

What best complements your wedding gown? A dazzling white smile, of course. Steven A. Brisman, D.M.D., in Scarsdale, New York, recommends an in-office tooth-whitening procedure for the best results. Dr. Brisman, a prosthodontist—a specialist in aesthetic and reconstructive dentistry—recommends a two-part method.

• First, he says, the dentist applies bleach to your teeth for one hour in his office. Then he sends you home with trays and bleaching gel to use for 30 to 60 minutes a day for up to 14 days. Results vary, but your teeth may be three to four shades whiter than previously—and they should stay gorgeous for up to two years; after that, you can use your trays and more gel for touchups, as needed. Cost: approximately $850.
• Dr. Brisman prefers the professional procedure to over-the-counter methods, because, he says, “You should be given a complete dental evaluation, including X-rays, followed by a thorough cleaning. This is to determine whether the procedure is right for you.”
• Schedule the procedure two to four weeks before your wedding. “This way, you’ll eliminate any post-op sensitivity,” Dr. Brisman says. “And you won’t be as crazed as you might be if you wait till the last minute.”