Want to Perk Up Your Smile? Start Small

You don’t need a full smile makeover to feel better about your smile. Often one small, conservative change makes the biggest difference: brightening dull teeth, smoothing a chipped edge, closing a small gap or replacing a dark filling that shows when you laugh. The trick is matching the small change to the thing that actually bothers you. At the Timonium office of Dr. Steven W. Haywood, DDS, many of these touch-ups take a single visit.

This guide walks through the small cosmetic treatments that perk up a smile, what each one is best for, and how to tell when a few small changes are really the start of a bigger plan.

Start by naming the one thing that bothers you

Before thinking about treatments, finish this sentence: “When I see my smile, the first thing I notice is…” For most people the answer is one of a handful of things: color, a chip, a gap, the gum line, an old filling or one crooked tooth. That first thing is usually where a small change pays off most. If you are not sure, our checklist on how to evaluate your smile objectively can help you decide.

Teeth whitening in Timonium, MD: the quickest refresh

If your teeth simply look dull or yellow, professional whitening is often the easiest place to start. At-home whitening usually means committing two or three weeks, and store-bought whiteners often fail to deliver lasting results. In-office laser power whitening starts with a thirty-minute whitening treatment, then a laser is applied for 1 to 2 hours to activate the hydrogen peroxide and help dissolve stains. Your whitening plan is customized to your teeth.

Whitening has limits. If your teeth are very dark, Dr. Haywood will explain your options before you start, since porcelain veneers and dental bonding can also correct discolored teeth. Read about teeth whitening, or see what to expect from teeth whitening in Timonium for the appointment step by step.

Bonding a chip or an uneven edge

A small chip on a front tooth can catch the eye every time you smile. Dental bonding repairs it with tooth-colored composite resin, sculpted directly onto the tooth and polished to look natural. It can usually be done in a single visit, typically with no anesthesia, and it is one of the most affordable cosmetic procedures. Bonding can also change the shape of a tooth or even out a smile. One patient put it simply: “The tooth looks better than before it was chipped!”

The trade-off: composite resin can stain and is not as strong as enamel, so rinse after coffee, tea, cola or red wine, and avoid biting hard objects.

Closing a small gap

Spaces between teeth can be closed with bonding, porcelain veneers or prepless veneers, which keep most if not all of your natural enamel for patients who qualify. The right choice depends on the size of the gap, the teeth on either side and how long you want the result to last. Porcelain resists stains better than composite and does not break as easily; bonding is quicker and more affordable up front.

Evening out a gum line

Sometimes the teeth are fine and the gums are the issue. When too much gum shows, teeth look short. A gum lift moves the gum line up on the upper teeth for better proportions. For a small movement or a little reshaping, radio-surgical technology is used in almost all cases, and the plan is based on your own smile line.

Replacing a dark filling or a mismatched crown

Old silver fillings can flash when you open wide, and an older crown can look darker than the teeth beside it. The practice never uses amalgam, and old mercury fillings are removed under rigorous safety protocols, then replaced with tooth-colored composite matched to your teeth. Each porcelain crown is made to replicate the color and translucence of your natural teeth, and when a filled front tooth has chipped or stained and veneers aren’t suitable, a crown may work well. See mercury-free dentistry, and if you are deciding for a single front tooth, read crown or veneer for a front tooth?

A little straightening with Invisalign Express

If one or two teeth have drifted or overlap slightly, a full course of orthodontic treatment may be more than you need. Invisalign Express is a thrifty way to achieve minor tooth movements with clear, removable aligners. Dr. Haywood is an Elite Invisalign Provider, and your case is evaluated to see whether aligners suit the movement your teeth need. Learn more about Invisalign in Timonium.

A few veneers instead of a full set

A small number of well-designed veneers can change a smile more than people expect. In some cases, dramatic results come from treating just a few teeth. Veneers can close gaps, cover chips and hide stains, and you try a “test drive” set before the final veneers are made, so you know the shape and color suit you.

When small changes add up to a plan

Small touch-ups work best when they fit together. Whitening, for example, is usually done before bonding or veneers, so new work can be matched to your brighter shade. If your list keeps growing, it may make sense to plan everything at once. Cosmetic imaging shows a before-and-after preview of your own smile on screen, and it is part of every cosmetic evaluation. If you do want the bigger picture, read who is a good candidate for a smile makeover or explore all cosmetic dentistry in Timonium.

Keeping your refreshed smile

• Minimize staining foods and drinks, and whiten your teeth routinely to keep your shade.
• Rinse with water after coffee, tea, cola or red wine, especially if you have bonding.
• Don’t use your teeth to open packages or bottles.
• Ask about bite protection, which is recommended for any cosmetic treatment.
• Keep up with cleanings every six months so small problems stay small.

What small cosmetic changes cost

Every case is different, so your fee is discussed at your consultation before anything begins. The practice is out of network with insurance companies: you pay at the time of service, and the office files the claim on your behalf so your plan can reimburse you for anything it covers. Health savings and flex plans are welcome. Financing is available through CareCredit, with no-interest options for up to 12 months, and Cherry, with plans from 3 to 24 months.

Frequently asked questions

What is the fastest way to perk up my smile?

For dull teeth, in-office whitening. For a chip or small gap, dental bonding, which can usually be completed in a single visit.

Should I whiten before bonding or veneers?

Usually, yes, so the new work can be matched to your whitened teeth. Dr. Haywood will suggest the right order for your plan.

Will bonding look natural?

The resin is matched to your tooth, sculpted into shape and polished to a natural-looking finish.

Can I fix one crooked tooth without braces?

Sometimes. Bonding or a veneer can make a tooth look straighter, and Invisalign Express is designed for minor tooth movements.

Perk up your smile in Timonium

Tell us the one thing you would change, and we will show you the simplest way to get there. Request an appointment or call (410) 453-9399. The office of Dr. Steven W. Haywood, DDS is at 108 W Timonium Rd, Ste 200, Timonium, MD 21093, serving Timonium, Towson, Hunt Valley and Baltimore.