Transform Your Smile, Transform Your Life

Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you. If you’re self-conscious about stained, chipped, crooked, or missing teeth, cosmetic dentistry can give you the confident, beautiful smile you’ve always wanted.

At South Holston Dental Designs, we combine artistic skill with advanced dental techniques to create natural-looking results that enhance your appearance and boost your confidence. Whether you want subtle improvements or a dramatic transformation, we’ll help you achieve the smile of your dreams.

Our Cosmetic Services

Porcelain Veneers

Veneers are thin shells of porcelain that cover the front surface of your teeth, instantly transforming your smile. They can correct multiple cosmetic issues at once—discoloration, chips, gaps, slight misalignment, and more.

What veneers can fix:

• Severely stained or discolored teeth that won’t respond to whitening
• Chipped or worn teeth
• Gaps between teeth
• Slightly crooked or misaligned teeth
• Teeth that are too small or oddly shaped
• Uneven tooth lengths

The veneer process:

We remove a small amount of enamel from the front of your teeth (about the thickness of the veneer itself), take detailed impressions, and create temporary veneers. Our dental lab then crafts your custom porcelain veneers to match your desired shape, size, and color.

At your second appointment, we remove the temporaries and bond your permanent veneers in place. The transformation is immediate and dramatic.

What to expect:

• Requires two appointments
• Minimal tooth preparation required
• Natural-looking, stain-resistant results
• Can last 10-15 years with proper care
• Creates a complete smile makeover

Veneers are ideal for patients who want to address multiple cosmetic concerns at once with a single treatment.

Professional Teeth Whitening

A bright, white smile can take years off your appearance. We offer both in-office and take-home whitening options that deliver results far superior to drugstore products.

In-office whitening provides dramatic results in a single visit—perfect when you need fast results for a special event.

Take-home whitening with custom trays lets you whiten on your schedule for gradual, comfortable results.

See our Teeth Whitening page for complete details on our whitening options.

Cosmetic Bonding

Dental bonding uses tooth-colored composite resin to repair chips, close gaps, reshape teeth, or cover stains. It’s one of the most conservative and affordable cosmetic treatments available.

What bonding can fix:

• Chipped or cracked teeth
• Small gaps between teeth
• Misshapen teeth
• Discolored teeth
• Teeth that appear too short
• Exposed tooth roots from gum recession

The bonding process:

We slightly roughen the tooth surface and apply a conditioning liquid to help the bonding material adhere. We then apply the composite resin, sculpt it to the desired shape, and harden it with a special light. Finally, we trim, shape, and polish the bonding until it blends seamlessly with your natural tooth.

The entire process usually takes 30-60 minutes per tooth and requires no anesthesia unless we’re filling a cavity.

Advantages of bonding:

• Completed in a single visit
• Most affordable cosmetic option
• Minimal to no tooth preparation required
• Natural appearance
• Can be repaired if damaged

While bonding isn’t as durable or stain-resistant as veneers or crowns, it’s an excellent solution for minor cosmetic concerns and can last 5-10 years with proper care.

Smile Makeovers

A smile makeover combines multiple cosmetic procedures to completely transform your smile. We create a customized treatment plan based on your unique concerns, goals, and facial features.

A smile makeover might include:

• Teeth whitening for brighter color
• Veneers to correct shape, size, and alignment
• Crowns to restore damaged teeth
• Bonding to repair minor imperfections
• Gum contouring to improve gum line symmetry
• Orthodontics to straighten teeth
• Implants or bridges to replace missing teeth

The smile makeover process:

We start with a comprehensive evaluation and discussion of your goals. We take photos, impressions, and sometimes create a digital preview of your future smile. Together, we develop a treatment plan that addresses all your concerns and fits your budget and timeline.

Treatment is completed in phases, with some procedures done simultaneously and others sequentially. The result is a complete transformation that looks natural and complements your facial features.

Gum Contouring

Sometimes it’s not your teeth but your gums that need attention. If you have a “gummy smile” where too much gum tissue shows when you smile, or if your gum line is uneven, gum contouring can create a more balanced, attractive appearance.

What gum contouring treats:

• Excessive gum tissue (gummy smile)
• Uneven gum line
• Teeth that appear too short due to excess gum coverage

The process:

Using precise dental instruments or laser technology, we carefully reshape your gum line to expose more of your teeth and create a symmetrical, attractive appearance. Laser gum contouring offers minimal discomfort and quick healing.

Recovery is quick – Most patients experience minimal discomfort and return to normal activities the next day.

Cosmetic Crown Lengthening

Similar to gum contouring but more extensive, crown lengthening removes excess gum tissue and sometimes bone to expose more of the tooth. This procedure can be done for cosmetic reasons (to improve a gummy smile) or to expose enough tooth structure for a crown or filling.

Metal-Free Restorations

All our cosmetic restorations are metal-free for the most natural appearance:

All-Ceramic Crowns – No dark lines at the gum line, completely natural translucency

Porcelain Veneers – Custom-shaded to blend perfectly with your smile

Composite Fillings – Match your tooth color exactly

We eliminated metal from our restorations years ago because ceramic materials offer superior aesthetics while providing excellent strength and durability.

Digital Smile Design

Before beginning treatment, we can create a digital preview of your new smile. This technology allows you to see the expected results before we start, ensuring you’re completely happy with the plan.

Benefits of digital smile design:

• Visualize your results before treatment begins
• Make adjustments to the plan until you’re satisfied
• Better communication about your goals
• Increased confidence in your decision

What Makes a Beautiful Smile?

Creating beautiful smiles is both science and art. When designing your smile makeover, we consider:

Facial Harmony

Your smile should complement your facial features—not look like generic “perfect teeth” that don’t suit your face. We consider your face shape, skin tone, age, and gender when designing your smile.

Tooth Proportion

The ideal smile follows certain proportions. Front teeth should be the most prominent, with teeth gradually decreasing in size toward the back. The width-to-length ratio of front teeth creates visual harmony.

Symmetry

While perfect symmetry isn’t necessary (and isn’t natural), balanced proportions on both sides of your smile create an attractive appearance.

Color

White teeth are beautiful, but they should look natural for your age and skin tone. Overly bright, opaque teeth can look artificial. We aim for a bright but believable shade.

Gum Line

An even gum line frames your teeth attractively. The gum line should be symmetrical and proportionate to tooth length.

Personality

Your smile should reflect your personality. Some people want a bold, Hollywood smile while others prefer subtle, natural improvements. We tailor treatment to your preferences.

Am I a Candidate for Cosmetic Dentistry?

Most people with healthy teeth and gums are good candidates for cosmetic dentistry. However, we need to address any underlying problems first:

Tooth decay – Cavities should be filled before cosmetic treatment

Gum disease – Must be treated and controlled before cosmetic work

Teeth grinding – May need a nightguard to protect cosmetic restorations

Bite problems – Sometimes need correction before cosmetic treatment

Realistic expectations – Important to have achievable goals

During your consultation, we’ll evaluate your oral health and discuss which treatments will achieve your desired results.

The Cosmetic Consultation

What to Expect

Comprehensive exam – We evaluate your teeth, gums, bite, and overall oral health

Discussion of concerns – Tell us what you don’t like about your smile and what you’d like to change

Photo analysis – We take photos from multiple angles to plan treatment

Digital smile preview – When appropriate, we create a digital mock-up of results

Treatment options – We explain which procedures will achieve your goals

Cost estimate – Transparent pricing for all recommended treatments

Timeline – How long treatment will take from start to finish

Questions to Ask

• Which treatment will best achieve my goals?
• How long will results last?
• What’s the maintenance required?
• Can I see before/after photos of similar cases?
• What will the process involve?
• How long until I see final results?
• What are the alternatives?

Cosmetic Dentistry vs. Orthodontics

Some cosmetic concerns can be addressed either with cosmetic dentistry or orthodontics (braces or clear aligners). Each approach has advantages:

Cosmetic dentistry:

• Fast results (weeks to months)
• Addresses color, shape, and alignment in one treatment
• More expensive per tooth
• Permanent—no going back

Orthodontics:

• Longer treatment (months to years)
• Moves teeth to ideal positions naturally
• Preserves all natural tooth structure
• Requires retention to maintain results

Sometimes combining both approaches yields the best outcome. We can refer you to a trusted orthodontist if braces or aligners would serve your goals better.

Maintaining Your Cosmetic Work

Cosmetic dentistry is an investment. Here’s how to protect it:

Daily Care

• Brush twice daily with non-abrasive toothpaste
• Floss daily (especially around veneers and bonding)
• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush
• Avoid biting hard objects (ice, pens, fingernails)
• Don’t use teeth as tools

Lifestyle Considerations

Staining foods and drinks – While porcelain resists staining, bonding can discolor over time. Limit coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco.

Teeth grinding – If you grind your teeth, wear a nightguard to protect your cosmetic work.

Contact sports – Wear a mouthguard during sports to prevent damage.

Regular Checkups

Visit us every six months for professional cleanings and exams. We’ll check your cosmetic work and address any issues before they become problems.

How Long Does Cosmetic Work Last?

Veneers: 10-15 years, sometimes 20+ with excellent care

Bonding: 5-10 years depending on location and care

Crowns: 10-15 years or more

Whitening: 1-3 years, longer with touch-ups and good habits

Longevity depends on your oral hygiene, diet, whether you grind your teeth, and regular dental care.

Cost and Investment

Cosmetic dentistry is an investment in your confidence and appearance. Costs vary significantly based on the extent of treatment:

Bonding: Most affordable option for minor concerns

Whitening: Moderate investment with dramatic results

Veneers: Higher investment but comprehensive transformation

Smile makeover: Variable depending on procedures needed

Insurance typically doesn’t cover cosmetic procedures since they’re elective. However, if treatment also addresses functional problems (like replacing old, failing fillings with tooth-colored ones), insurance may provide partial coverage.

We offer financing options to help make your dream smile affordable. We’ll provide detailed cost estimates during your consultation so you can make informed decisions.

Why Choose South Holston Dental Designs?

Artistic Excellence

Creating beautiful smiles requires artistic skill and attention to detail. Our doctors have extensive training in cosmetic dentistry and a keen eye for facial aesthetics.

Advanced Technology

Our digital smile design, CAD/CAM technology, and modern materials allow us to create natural-looking results with superior precision.

Custom Treatment Plans

No two smiles are alike. We design treatment specifically for your unique features, concerns, and goals.

Natural-Looking Results

We never create the “fake” look of overly white, oversized teeth. Our restorations blend seamlessly with your natural teeth and complement your facial features.

Comprehensive Care

From simple whitening to complete smile makeovers, we offer the full spectrum of cosmetic services under one roof.

Long-Term Success

We use only high-quality materials and proven techniques for results that last. We also provide guidance on maintaining your investment.