Cosmetic dentistry is not about vanity: many treatments that improve your smile also make your teeth healthier and easier to clean. At Southern York Smile Care in Shrewsbury, PA, Dr. Steven Haywood plans every cosmetic change with your long-term oral health in mind.
More people choose cosmetic dentistry every year, and it is easy to see why. We all want to look our best. But a better-looking smile is often a side benefit of a healthier one. Straight teeth are easier to clean. A cracked tooth that is covered and protected is less likely to break. A gap that is closed no longer traps food. This article looks at the most popular cosmetic treatments and the health benefits that come with them.
Why looks and health go together
Many cosmetic problems are really early warning signs. Teeth that are worn short may point to grinding. Chips and cracks can let bacteria in. Dark old fillings may be leaking. Crowded teeth collect plaque in places a toothbrush cannot reach. Fixing these problems improves your smile, and it also protects your teeth from bigger trouble later.
Cosmetic work done well also lasts longer when the mouth underneath it is healthy. Veneers, bonding and crowns need healthy gums and a stable bite to hold up for years. That is why a cosmetic plan at Southern York Smile Care always starts with a full exam, and why gum disease, decay and grinding are addressed before any cosmetic work begins.
There is also the way you feel. People who like their smile tend to smile more, speak up more and feel more comfortable in photos, at work and with new people. That confidence is a real part of well-being, not a vanity.
Straighter teeth with clear aligners
Teeth that are in the correct position are easier to care for and make for a healthier mouth. When teeth overlap, plaque builds up in the tight corners, which raises the risk of cavities and gum disease. A crooked bite can also wear teeth unevenly and strain the jaw.
That is why clear aligners are among the most popular cosmetic treatments. They straighten teeth without brackets or wires, and they are hard to notice at conversation distance. Southern York Smile Care does not offer metal braces. Instead, Dr. Haywood is an Elite Invisalign Provider and offers Invisalign, Invisalign Teen and Invisalign Express, plus instant orthodontics for some cases. Aligners come out to eat and brush, so you can keep your teeth clean throughout treatment. Learn more on our Invisalign clear aligners page.
Professional teeth whitening
Teeth whitening is one of the most requested cosmetic treatments. Stores are full of whitening toothpastes, strips and gels, and many people try them first. They can help a little, but none of them match the strength and evenness of professional whitening.
Professional whitening also starts with an exam. Some stains are on the surface, from coffee, tea, red wine or tobacco. Others come from inside the tooth, from medications, injury or old fillings, and they may not respond to whitening at all. A dentist can tell the difference and suggest the treatment that will actually work. Whitening also does not change the color of crowns, veneers or fillings, which is important to know before you start.
Southern York Smile Care offers professional whitening, including laser whitening. See our teeth whitening page for details.
Porcelain veneers
Porcelain veneers are thin shells bonded to the front of the teeth. They can change the color, shape, length and alignment of your smile in just a few visits. Veneers can cover deep stains that whitening cannot lift, close small gaps and rebuild chipped or worn edges.
Traditional veneers usually need a thin layer of enamel removed so they sit naturally. Prepless veneers are even thinner and often need little or no enamel removal. Which is right for you depends on your teeth and your goals. Dr. Haywood trained in cosmetic dentistry through the NYU Aesthetic Continuum and was seen on ABC's Extreme Makeover. With cosmetic imaging, you can preview a new smile before treatment begins. Learn more on our porcelain veneers page.
Other cosmetic treatments with health benefits
White fillings
Old silver fillings can darken teeth and, as they age, may crack or leak. Southern York Smile Care is a mercury-free office and uses tooth-colored, BPA-free white fillings that bond to the tooth and blend in.
Cosmetic bonding
Bonding uses tooth-colored resin to repair small chips, cover minor stains and close small gaps, often in a single visit. It is a gentle option that saves natural tooth structure. See our cosmetic bonding page.
All-porcelain crowns
A crown covers a tooth that is badly worn, cracked or weakened by a large filling. All-porcelain crowns protect the tooth while looking like natural enamel, with no dark metal line at the gum.
Replacing missing teeth
A missing tooth is a cosmetic concern, but it is also a health one. Nearby teeth drift into the gap and the jawbone slowly shrinks. Dental implants replace the root as well as the tooth and help keep the bone in place.
Is cosmetic dentistry painful?
Most cosmetic treatments are gentle and comfortable. Whitening, bonding and aligners need no numbing at all. Veneers and crowns use local anesthetic, so you feel pressure rather than pain. For patients who feel anxious, the office offers oral sedation. You can read about both on our sedation dentistry page.
How to start: a smile consultation
A good cosmetic result begins with a healthy foundation. At your consultation, Dr. Haywood checks your teeth, gums and bite, and uses the iTero Element 3D scanner and photos to plan your care. If there is gum disease or decay, that is treated first. Then you and Dr. Haywood talk about what you would like to change and which treatments fit your goals.
Many patients combine treatments, for example aligners to straighten, whitening to brighten and bonding to reshape. A planned combination like that is called a complete smile makeover. You can also see real results in our smile gallery.
Kelley Fisher, the Patient Care and Treatment Coordinator, will go over your plan, insurance questions and payment. The office is out of network with every insurer and files your claim for reimbursement. CareCredit and Cherry payment plans are available, and Invisalign can be paid monthly after a down payment. See our financing page.
Take the next step
If you have been putting off fixing something about your smile, think of it as an investment in your health as well as your looks. Call Southern York Smile Care at (717) 235-3871 or request an appointment for a cosmetic consultation. The office is at 4 S. Main St in Shrewsbury, PA, and welcomes patients from Shrewsbury, York, southern York County and northern Baltimore County, MD.
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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