Creating memorable smiles starts with a plan built around you. A cosmetic smile makeover looks at your teeth, your face and your goals. Here is how that planning works at Southern York Smile Care in Shrewsbury, PA, and what you can expect along the way.
A smile takes only a moment, but the memory of it can last for years. Think of a wedding photo, a first meeting or a family reunion. Many people who are unhappy with their teeth learn to smile with their lips closed, or they avoid the camera altogether. Cosmetic dentistry can change that, and the best results are the ones nobody notices as dental work. They simply look like you, at your best.
Why there is no one-size-fits-all smile
It would be easy if every patient could choose a smile from a catalog. But a smile that looks stunning on one face can look artificial on another. Teeth that are too white, too even or too large for the face give away that work has been done. A natural result depends on many details working together.
That is why a smile makeover at Southern York Smile Care starts with a careful look at the whole picture, not with a list of procedures.
What goes into a smile plan
Dr. Steven Haywood considers several things when designing a smile.
Your teeth
- Shape. Rounded, square or tapered teeth each suit different faces and personalities.
- Alignment. Crowding, gaps and rotated teeth affect both appearance and how easy your teeth are to clean.
- Color. The right shade looks bright and healthy while still matching your skin tone and the whites of your eyes.
- Condition. Old fillings, cracks, wear and decay need attention before or alongside any cosmetic work.
Your face
Your lips, the shape of your face, your coloring and how much of your teeth and gums show when you smile all guide the design. A smile is balanced when the teeth are in proportion to each other and to the face around them. Sometimes the gums are part of the plan too. A cosmetic gum lift can even out a gumline or reduce a gummy smile.
Your life
Your age, health, habits and schedule all shape the plan. Someone who grinds their teeth at night may need a bite guard to protect new work. A busy parent may prefer fewer, longer visits. A patient planning a wedding needs a timeline that finishes before the big day. Budget matters too, and a good plan can be done in stages.
Health comes first
Before any cosmetic treatment, your teeth and gums need to be healthy. Gum inflammation, active decay or an uneven bite can shorten the life of new veneers or crowns. A thorough exam with digital X-rays, which use up to 90 percent less radiation than film, helps Dr. Haywood spot problems that need care first. Treating them first means your new smile is built on a strong foundation and stays beautiful longer.
Treatments that create memorable smiles
Most smile makeovers combine a few of these treatments:
- Teeth whitening and laser whitening. Even one treatment like whitening can make a big difference in how you see yourself.
- Porcelain veneers. Thin shells that change the shape, length and color of front teeth.
- Cosmetic bonding. A quick way to repair chips and close small gaps.
- Invisalign clear aligners. Straighten teeth without metal braces. Dr. Haywood is an Elite Invisalign Provider.
- All-porcelain crowns. Strengthen and beautify damaged or heavily filled teeth.
- Dental implants. Replace missing teeth with natural-looking new ones.
- White fillings. Tooth-colored, BPA-free fillings in a mercury-free office.
Learn how these come together on our complete smile makeover page.
Same-day smile makeovers
Some patients want a change fast, perhaps before an event or simply because they have waited long enough. Ask about a same-day smile. Whether it is right for you depends on the health of your teeth and gums and the look you want. Dr. Haywood will tell you honestly what can be done in one day and what is better done in stages.
Instant orthodontics is another option some patients consider. It uses veneers or crowns to change how straight teeth look, without moving them. Read more in Porcelain Veneers and Instant Orthodontics.
Seeing your new smile before you commit
It is hard to say yes to a new smile you cannot picture. Southern York Smile Care uses cosmetic imaging and the iTero Element 3D scanner to help you preview possible changes and plan with confidence. An intraoral camera lets you see close-up views of your own teeth on a screen, so you understand exactly why a treatment is suggested.
You can also see real results in our smile gallery. Looking at before-and-after photos is a good way to find words for what you like and what you do not.
Questions to bring to your consultation
- What would you change first, and why?
- Can my goals be reached with less treatment, such as whitening and bonding instead of veneers?
- How many visits will it take, and can it be done in stages?
- How long should the results last, and what care do they need?
- What will my temporary teeth look like while the final work is made?
There are no wrong questions. Kelley Fisher, the Patient Care and Treatment Coordinator, can also help with insurance questions and financing so you understand the plan from start to finish.
Dr. Haywood has more than 35 years in practice, completed cosmetic training through the NYU Aesthetic Continuum, and has been seen on ABC's Extreme Makeover. That experience helps turn your goals into a plan that fits your face.
Keeping your smile memorable for years
Your teeth take a lot of wear and tear over the years, and new dental work does too. A few habits protect your investment:
- Brush twice a day with a soft brush and clean between your teeth daily.
- Keep up with professional cleanings. At Southern York Smile Care, a cleaning is a full 60 minutes.
- Wear a bite guard if you clench or grind.
- Do not use your teeth as tools to open packages or bottles.
- Rinse with water after coffee, tea or red wine.
Your next step
If you are ready for a smile people remember, start with a consultation. Call Southern York Smile Care at (717) 235-3871 or request an appointment at 4 S. Main St in Shrewsbury. The office is out of network with all insurers and files claims for you, and payment plans are available through CareCredit and Cherry. See financing for details. Patients come 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 →
Embarrassed by your Teeth?
Three Reasons for Checkups: Dental Health in Shrewsbury PA
Three Reasons Not to Skip a Dental Checkup