The dental miracles Dr. Steven W. Haywood creates come from careful planning, proven treatments and modern dental technology. Here is how cosmetic and restorative dentistry at Southern York Smile Care in Shrewsbury, PA can improve the look, health and comfort of your smile.
When patients see their new smile for the first time, the word "miracle" sometimes comes up. It is a kind word, but there is no magic involved. A smile transformation is the result of a clear diagnosis, a plan built around you, skilled hands and good materials. This article explains what that looks like, from straightening and repairing teeth to replacing ones that are missing.
More than a prettier smile
Cosmetic dentistry is often seen as purely about looks. In practice, the best cosmetic work also makes teeth healthier and easier to care for. Straighter teeth are easier to brush and floss. Strong crowns protect cracked teeth from breaking. Replacing missing teeth helps your bite stay stable and protects the jawbone.
A well-designed smile can also support the face. When worn or missing teeth are rebuilt to a healthy height, the lips and cheeks can look fuller, which some patients feel makes them look younger. And when the bite is balanced, some people find relief from jaw strain. If you have jaw pain, clicking or headaches, ask about TMJ / TMD treatment.
Then there is confidence. Many patients say the biggest change is not in the mirror but in how freely they smile, laugh and speak with others.
Straightening teeth without metal braces
Crooked or crowded teeth are a common reason people hide their smile. Even if you have lived with them for years, it is rarely too late to fix them.
Southern York Smile Care straightens teeth with Invisalign clear aligners, including Invisalign Teen and Invisalign Express. The aligners are clear, removable trays that move teeth a little at a time. You take them out to eat and brush, so there are no food restrictions and no wires to adjust. The practice does not offer metal braces. Dr. Haywood is an Elite Invisalign Provider, and Invisalign can be paid monthly after a down payment.
For some patients who want a faster change, instant orthodontics uses veneers or crowns to make teeth look straighter without moving them. Dr. Haywood will explain which approach fits your teeth and goals.
Repairing decayed and damaged teeth
If you have teeth that are decayed, chipped, cracked or worn, there are many good ways to restore them:
- White fillings. Tooth-colored, BPA-free fillings. The office is mercury-free and does not place silver fillings.
- Inlays and onlays. Custom restorations for larger areas of damage that still leave plenty of healthy tooth.
- All-porcelain crowns. Full coverage for weak or heavily filled teeth, with no dark metal line at the gum.
- Cosmetic bonding. A quick fix for chips and small gaps, often in one visit.
- Porcelain veneers. Thin shells that change the shape, size and color of front teeth.
Read more about these options in 7 Ways to Fix a Tooth and on our restorative dentistry page.
Replacing missing teeth with implants
What if a tooth is missing entirely? A dental implant is a complete replacement, including a new root. A titanium post is placed in the jawbone, the bone bonds to it over several months, and then a custom crown is attached. Because it sits in the bone, an implant helps protect the jaw from shrinking after tooth loss.
Implants can replace one tooth, several teeth or a full arch. Dr. Haywood is a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists and plans implants with Green CT 3D cone beam imaging and, when needed, a custom surgical guide.
Comfort through technology and sedation
Modern dentistry is far more comfortable than many people remember. Southern York Smile Care uses technology that makes visits quicker, gentler and more precise:
- Digital X-rays, with up to 90 percent less radiation exposure
- The iTero Element 3D scanner, which replaces most messy impressions
- An intraoral camera, so you see what Dr. Haywood sees
- Air abrasion, which can remove some decay without a traditional drill
- The Picasso laser for gentle gum treatment
For patients who feel nervous, sedation dentistry with oral sedation helps you stay calm and relaxed. See the full list on our dental technology page.
The experience behind the results
Dr. Haywood earned a DDS cum laude from the University of Detroit in 1987, completed an advanced residency with the US Air Force, and trained in cosmetic dentistry through the NYU Aesthetic Continuum. With more than 35 years in practice, Dr. Haywood has helped patients with everything from a single chipped tooth to complete smile makeovers, and has been seen on ABC's Extreme Makeover.
That experience matters because every smile is different. Dr. Haywood takes time to understand what you want to change and designs a result that looks natural on your face.
Will my new smile look fake?
It should not. A natural smile has small variations in shape and shade, and teeth that suit the size of your face and lips. Dr. Haywood plans those details on purpose, and cosmetic imaging lets you preview changes before treatment starts. If you want a subtle change, say so. If you want a bold one, say that too. The plan follows your goals.
How long do the results last?
It depends on the treatment and how you care for it. Porcelain crowns and veneers are durable and resist stains, and implants can last for many years. Whitening fades gradually and can be touched up. Teeth moved with Invisalign need retainers to stay in place. Good home care, regular cleanings, which take a full 60 minutes at Southern York Smile Care, and a bite guard if you grind all help your results last.
Can it be done in stages?
Yes. Many patients start with the most important step, such as treating a broken tooth or replacing a missing one, and add cosmetic work later. Kelley Fisher, the Patient Care and Treatment Coordinator, can help you plan the order and the payments so the work fits your life.
Your next step: a no-pressure consultation
If all of this sounds too good to be true, come and see for yourself. At a no-pressure consultation, Dr. Haywood will look at your teeth, explain how they can be improved and show you before-and-after photos of real patients. You can also browse our smile gallery now. Call Southern York Smile Care at (717) 235-3871 or request an appointment at 4 S. Main St in Shrewsbury. Payment plans are available through CareCredit and Cherry; see financing.
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.
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