How Dr. Steven Haywood, DDS Plans Your Dental Care

If you are looking up Dr. Steven Haywood, DDS before booking, you probably want to know more than a résumé. You want to know what actually happens when you sit down in the Timonium office, how the decision about what treatment you need gets made, and whether you will be pushed into anything. This article answers that: what a first visit with Dr. Haywood is like, and how your dental care plan is put together from there.

For Dr. Haywood’s training, credentials and background, see the profile of Dr. Steven W. Haywood, DDS. This page is about the planning.

Care starts with a conversation, not a drill

The practice’s approach is simple: listen first, then treat. Your first appointment begins with an in-depth discussion of your dental concerns and what you would like for your smile. That might be a tooth that has been bothering you, a chipped front tooth, old fillings you want replaced, crooked teeth, or simply a checkup after years away.

That conversation shapes everything that follows. A plan for someone who wants to keep things simple and healthy looks very different from a plan for someone preparing for a wedding or a complete smile makeover, and Dr. Haywood needs to hear which one you are before recommending anything.

You are never rushed

Appointments are scheduled with room to breathe, so there is time for your questions. You also see the same small team at every visit, so you don’t have to explain your history twice.

Come ready to talk about your goals

A little preparation helps Dr. Haywood understand what matters to you. Before your visit, it is worth thinking about:

• How you would rank your smile, or your ability to chew, on a scale of 1 to 10
• What you would like for the health and appearance of your smile in 5 or 10 years
• The questions you want answered, written down so you don’t forget them
• Pictures that help show the look you want, if cosmetic changes interest you
• Any X-rays or medical information from previous care

If you have a special event coming up and hope to have treatment at your first visit, let the team know. In some instances, treatment can be completed at the first appointment. Forms and paperwork are covered on the new patient information page.

What Dr. Haywood looks at during your exam

Your teeth and gums

Dr. Haywood carefully evaluates your teeth and gums, looking for decay, cracks, worn or failing fillings, and signs of gum infection such as bleeding, receding gums or deep pockets.

Your bite and jaw joints

X-rays, photos and models let Dr. Haywood analyze your bite and check for potential TMJ issues. The jaw joint is the foundation of your chewing mechanism, and without proper joint health and function, nothing else functions properly, which is why the bite is part of every thorough plan.

Your general health

Your health history and medications matter to your dental care. Tell the team about conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, rheumatic fever, artificial joints or heart valves, and about medications such as aspirin, blood thinners or heart medications, especially before any surgical treatment.

Oral cancer screening

A quick, pain-free oral cancer screening is part of the checkup, and ViziLite technology helps make abnormal cells easier to see.

See what Dr. Haywood sees

Good planning depends on you understanding your own mouth. The technology in the office is used to show you, not just tell you:

• Digital X-rays appear on screen right away, with as much as 90 percent less radiation exposure than traditional film.
• Intraoral cameras zoom in on each section of your mouth, so problem areas can be pointed out clearly.
• DIAGNOdent can detect decay at its earliest stages, sometimes before it shows on an X-ray.
• Cosmetic imaging changes digital photographs of your smile to preview potential results, and these before-and-after demonstrations are part of every cosmetic evaluation. See cosmetic imaging.
• The iTero Element scanner creates a 3D visual of your teeth in about 2½ minutes and can simulate what your results may look like.
• A CBCT 3D scan comes before any dental implant plan.

Learn more about the dental technology used in the office.

How your treatment plan comes together

Conservative options come first

Dr. Haywood saves healthy tooth structure wherever possible. Where the damage allows, a filling, inlay or onlay is preferred over a crown, and a root canal can save an infected tooth that might otherwise be lost. Extraction is rarely needed, and when it is, your options for replacing the tooth are discussed. Materials are mercury-free, and fillings are tooth-colored composite. See restorative dentistry.

What needs doing now, and what can wait

Not everything found at an exam is urgent. The team walks you through what needs attention now, what can safely wait and exactly what it costs, so you can make decisions without pressure.

One appointment or two

For many patients, the path is clear at the first visit. When your medical history is complex, or a plan needs the evidence gathered from X-rays, photos and models, a second appointment is made to discuss your options and schedule treatment to meet your goals.

A plan put together for you

Kelley Fisher, the practice’s Patient Care and Treatment Coordinator, creates a complete, customized treatment plan for each patient and explains your payment options. Kelley is also your first point of contact for insurance and financing questions.

What planning looks like for common goals

A chipped or broken tooth

A chip can often be repaired so it blends right in. When more of the tooth is damaged, a custom porcelain crown restores its shape and protects what is left from further harm. Patients come to the Timonium office for this kind of care from Towson, Hunt Valley and Baltimore.

Straightening teeth with Invisalign

Dr. Haywood is an Elite Invisalign Provider. An Invisalign consultation looks at whether clear aligners suit your teeth, and the iTero scanner captures a quick, comfortable 3D image. Treatment can take 18 to 24 months depending on the complexity of the case, with aligners worn at least 22 hours a day. Invisalign Express handles minor tooth movements, and Invisalign Teen is available for teenagers. See Invisalign in Timonium.

A missing tooth

Dr. Haywood provides every phase of implant care, from first evaluation to follow-up, and every implant plan starts with a CBCT 3D scan. A bridge or a denture may be discussed alongside an implant, depending on your mouth. If another office has already given you an implant plan, second opinions are complimentary.

Jaw pain or headaches

Treating a TMJ disorder is more of a therapy than a quick fix, so a full evaluation comes first. It may include bite analysis, sleep analysis and CT imaging of the joint, before any treatment is recommended.

If you are nervous about the dentist

Tell the team. Understanding your fears helps them plan how to overcome them. Laughing gas is offered as a complimentary service, and you can drive yourself home afterward. Oral conscious sedation is a pill taken about an hour before your visit, and so you will need a ride. See sedation dentistry.

Paying for your treatment plan

The practice is out of network with all dental insurance companies. You pay at the time of your visit, and the office files the claim on your behalf so your plan can reimburse you for what 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 payment plans from 3 to 24 months, and Invisalign can be paid in monthly payments in the office after a down payment. See financing options.

Why careful planning matters

A plan is only as good as the judgment behind it. Dr. Haywood has over 35 years of experience, completed the U.S. Air Force’s advanced residency program with internships across several areas of dentistry, and trained in cosmetic dentistry at New York University’s Aesthetic Continuum and in advanced TMJ and reconstructive care at the Peter Dawson Institute. If you are curious how that training compares with the recognized dental specialties, read what are the 12 dental specialties? Everyday checkups and cleanings are covered on the general dentistry page.

Frequently asked questions

Is Dr. Haywood accepting new patients?

Yes. New patients are always welcome. Request an appointment online or call the office, and the team will find a time that works for you.

Will I have treatment at my first visit?

Sometimes. A comprehensive evaluation is an important first step, but in some instances treatment can be completed at the first appointment. If you have a special event coming up, tell the team.

Will I be pressured into treatment?

No. You will hear what needs attention now, what can wait and what it costs, and the decisions are yours.

Can a child be seen without a parent?

No. A parent or legal guardian must be present during the consultation of a patient under the age of 18.

Can I bring X-rays from my last dentist?

Yes. Bring any X-rays or medical information the team should know about. If you are changing offices, our guide to switching dentists in Timonium walks through the steps.

Start the conversation with Dr. Haywood

The best way to see how your care would be planned is to begin with a visit. Request an appointment or call (410) 453-9399. The office of Dr. Steven W. Haywood, DDS is in Timonium Green at 108 W Timonium Rd, Ste 200, Timonium, MD 21093.