Aesthetic dental transformations can change how you feel every time you look in the mirror, smile at a friend or speak up at work. Professionals, students and retirees in Shrewsbury all enjoy the lasting benefits. At Southern York Smile Care, Dr. Steven Haywood uses cosmetic and restorative dentistry to create smiles that look natural and last.
A beautiful smile does more than look nice. When you like your teeth, you smile more, speak up more and feel more at ease with new people. This article looks at what a smile transformation can do for you and reviews the most common treatments, so you can start to picture which ones might fit your goals.
How a better smile changes your day
Picture the first moment of your morning. You look in the mirror while brushing and remember, with a small jolt of happiness, that you fixed your teeth and they look great. That feeling tends to carry into the rest of the day.
- With friends and family, you laugh freely instead of covering your mouth.
- At work, you feel poised and self-assured when you speak with colleagues or clients.
- In photos, you smile with your teeth instead of a closed-lip grin.
- Meeting new people, you make a warm first impression without thinking twice.
Many people put off cosmetic care because it feels like a luxury. In truth, many cosmetic treatments also protect your teeth. A crown strengthens a cracked tooth. An implant keeps nearby teeth from drifting. A healthy, confident smile is good for you in more ways than one.
The most common smile transformations
Here is a quick review of the treatments patients ask about most. Each one solves a different problem, and many smiles use two or three together.
Porcelain veneers
Porcelain veneers are thin, glass-like shells bonded to the front of your teeth. Porcelain is strong and has a natural translucency, much like real enamel. Veneers can cover stains, repair chips, close small gaps and make slightly crooked teeth look straight when full straightening is not needed. Several companies make veneers. Lumineers is one well-known brand of very thin veneer. Prepless veneers like these need little or no drilling, so more of your natural enamel stays in place.
Dental crowns
A crown covers the whole visible part of a tooth. Crowns fix bigger problems than veneers can. They are often used to protect a tooth after a root canal, or to restore a tooth weakened by decay, injury or gum disease. All-porcelain crowns are metal-free and can be matched closely to your other teeth. Not sure which one you need? Read Crown or Veneer?
Dental implants
A dental implant is often the best way to replace a missing tooth. A small post placed in the jaw acts like a new root and holds a natural-looking tooth on top. Implants have become a popular choice over bridges and partial dentures, especially for people who want a tooth that looks and feels like their own. Dr. Haywood is a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists.
Dental bridges
Dental bridges are another strong, natural-looking way to replace one or more missing teeth. A bridge uses the teeth on either side of a gap to hold a replacement tooth in place. Bridges have been used with success for many years. To compare the two, see Dental Bridge vs. Dental Implant.
Professional teeth whitening
Teeth whitening is the least invasive and fastest way to brighten your smile by several shades. Professional whitening is stronger and more even than most store products, and it is supervised so your gums are protected. Whitening works on natural teeth only. It will not change the color of existing crowns, veneers or fillings, which is worth knowing if you plan other work.
Clear aligners and gum contouring
For crooked teeth, Invisalign clear aligners straighten teeth without metal braces. For a gummy smile, a cosmetic gum lift can reshape the gum line and show more of each tooth.
How your transformation is planned
Every aesthetic plan at Southern York Smile Care starts with a conversation about what you would like to change. Then the team gathers the details:
- An exam and digital X-rays, which use up to 90% less radiation than older film X-rays, to make sure your teeth and gums are healthy.
- A 3D scan with the iTero Element scanner, so there is no need for messy impression putty.
- Cosmetic imaging that shows you a preview of possible results.
- A clear plan that explains each step and the order it happens in, so you know what to expect.
Dr. Haywood completed cosmetic training through the NYU Aesthetic Continuum and has more than 35 years in practice. Health always comes first: if a tooth has decay or your gums need care, that is treated before cosmetic work begins.
Making a transformation fit your budget
The office is out of network with every insurer. You pay at the visit, and the office files the claim so your insurance company can reimburse you for any covered parts of your care. Payment plans are available through CareCredit and Cherry. Kelley Fisher, the Patient Care and Treatment Coordinator, can explain your plan and answer insurance and financing questions. Learn more on the financing page.
Caring for your new smile
Cosmetic dental work is an investment, and good care helps it last. Brush twice a day with a soft brush and a non-abrasive toothpaste. Clean between your teeth every day. Keep your regular 60-minute cleanings. If you grind or clench, ask about a night guard to protect veneers and crowns. Avoid biting hard objects like ice, pens or fingernails.
If you have new veneers or crowns, it is normal for your bite to feel a little different for a few days while you get used to it. If anything feels high, rough or sharp after that, call the office so it can be adjusted. With dental implants, daily cleaning around the implant is just as important as it is around natural teeth, because the gums around an implant can still get inflamed. Your regular visits let the team check each piece of dental work and catch small issues early, long before they turn into bigger repairs.
Start your smile transformation
If you are interested in any of these cosmetic dentistry treatments, or in restorative dentistry to repair damaged teeth, the next step is a consultation. You can browse real results in the smile gallery first.
Call (717) 235-3871 or request an appointment at Southern York Smile Care, 4 S. Main St in Shrewsbury, PA. The office welcomes patients from Shrewsbury, York, southern York County and northern Baltimore County.
DDS cum laude 1987, US Air Force residency, NYU cosmetic training and Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, with 35+ years in practice.
Meet Dr. Haywood →
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