The most important procedure in a smile makeover isn’t the veneers, the whitening or the gum lift. It is the preview: the step where you see your new smile, react to it and approve it before anything permanent happens. A well-run preview is what turns “I hope I like it” into “I know what I’m getting.” It protects you from a result that looks too white, too even or simply not like you, and it gives Dr. Haywood the feedback needed to design a smile around your face and your goals.
This guide explains how previews work at the Timonium office of Dr. Steven W. Haywood, DDS: what cosmetic imaging shows, where a test-drive set of veneers fits in, and how to give feedback that actually shapes your result. If you want the broader list of consultation topics, such as health, bite, comfort and cost, read smile makeover consultation questions, answered.
Why the preview matters more than any single treatment
Each treatment in a makeover is a technique. The preview is where those techniques get pointed in the right direction. Two people with similar teeth can want very different results: one wants a subtle refresh that friends barely notice, another wants a bright, dramatic change. Words like “natural” and “white” mean different things to different people. Seeing the change on your own smile removes the guesswork.
The preview also keeps treatment conservative. When you can see that closing one gap or lengthening two worn teeth gives you the look you want, you avoid treating teeth that don’t need it. In some cases dramatic results come from treating just a few teeth; in others, all of the teeth are addressed for the most appropriate bite and overall beauty. The preview helps show which you are.
Step one: say what you want, in your own words
Your first visit includes a thorough oral exam and a conversation about what you would like to change and what you find beautiful. It helps to prepare:
- Write down the things that bother you, from most to least, so nothing gets missed.
- Bring photos of your own smile from years past if you liked it better then.
- Bring pictures of smiles you admire, and be ready to say what you like about them: the color, the shape, how much tooth shows.
- Note what you want to keep. A small gap or a slightly uneven tooth can be part of your character.
- Think about your timeline, such as a wedding or a new job.
Step two: cosmetic imaging
A before-and-after demonstration is part of every cosmetic evaluation at the practice. Digital photographs of your smile are evaluated with computer dental imaging and changed right then and there, so you see a before and after of your own face, not a stock photo. Together you and Dr. Haywood plan the improvements you would like to see.
What imaging is good for
- Comparing a subtle change with a more dramatic one.
- Testing how bright is bright enough for your skin tone and features.
- Seeing whether closing gaps, lengthening worn edges or evening the gum line makes the biggest difference.
- Deciding how many teeth need treatment to look balanced when you smile widely.
What imaging can’t tell you on its own
A screen image is a guide, not a guarantee. It can’t show how new teeth will feel against your lips, how your bite will work, or whether your gums and teeth are healthy enough to support the change. That is why the exam, your bite and your gum health are part of the same evaluation, and why some treatments add a second, physical preview.
The iTero scan
The practice’s iTero Element intraoral scanner creates a 3D visual of your teeth quickly, with less tendency toward gagging than traditional impressions. It can also create a simulation of what your results may look like, which is especially useful when teeth need to move before cosmetic work, for example with Invisalign clear aligners.
Step three: the test-drive set of veneers
If your plan includes porcelain veneers, you receive a trial set to evaluate before the final set is made. This is the preview you can live with: you see it in natural light, in the mirror at home, while talking and laughing. It confirms the shape, color and look meet your expectations, and that the result looks natural, never fake. Only then are the final veneers hand-crafted in the USA by master ceramists. Learn more about porcelain veneers in Timonium.
How to give feedback that shapes your result
A preview is only as useful as the reaction you give it. When you look at imaging or a trial set, go through a simple checklist:
- Color. Does the shade look bright but believable next to your skin and the whites of your eyes?
- Length. Do the front teeth show the right amount when your lips are relaxed and when you smile?
- Shape. Do you prefer softer, rounded edges or a squarer look?
- Symmetry. Perfectly identical teeth can look artificial. Is there enough natural variation?
- Gum line. Is the balance between gum and tooth right, or does a gum lift belong in the plan?
- Speech and comfort. With a trial set, do words sound normal and do your lips close comfortably?
- A second opinion. Take photos and ask someone you trust, then bring those reactions back.
Be specific. “Slightly shorter on the two front teeth” is far more useful than “something looks off.” The goal is a smile designed around you, and honest feedback at the preview stage is the easiest time to get there.
Questions the preview helps answer
- Do you need veneers, or would dental bonding or teeth whitening get you most of the way?
- Could prepless veneers work, or do dark or damaged teeth need a thicker veneer?
- Should teeth move first with Invisalign before any veneers are made?
- Would a same-day makeover meet your deadline, or does your goal need a fuller plan?
What happens after you approve
Treatment starts only when you approve the plan. An ultimate smile makeover can be completed in as few as two visits, depending on the treatments involved, and a same-day smile makeover can be done in a single day when your goals allow. Plans that include gum treatment, bite correction or tooth movement are done in phases. Afterward, you receive care instructions to help protect your new smile.
Compare your preview with real results
A computer preview is easier to trust when you can see what the practice has done for others. The smile gallery shows before-and-after photos of actual patients. One patient described the outcome simply: “My teeth were very crooked and I wanted a better smile… I chose veneers and some minor cosmetic gum surgery because I really did not want braces in my 20s! The results speak for themselves.”
Cost, insurance and financing
Every smile is unique, so the cost depends on your plan, and you get a clear estimate up front. The practice is out of network with insurance companies: you pay at the time of your visit, and the office files the claim so your plan can reimburse you for anything it covers. HSA and flex plans are welcome, and 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
Is cosmetic imaging part of every consultation?
Before-and-after imaging is part of every cosmetic evaluation at the practice, whether you are considering a single bonded tooth or a full makeover.
Will my final smile look exactly like the preview?
Imaging is a planning guide rather than a guarantee, because a screen can’t show feel, bite or tooth health. With veneers, the test-drive set adds a physical preview in your mouth before the final set is made.
What if I don’t like the trial veneers?
That is exactly what the trial set is for. Tell Dr. Haywood what you would change, so the final veneers meet your expectations.
Can I bring pictures of smiles I like?
Yes. Photos help explain what you find beautiful. The preview then shows how those ideas look on your own face and teeth.
Preview your smile makeover in Timonium
See your new smile before you commit to it. 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, Pikesville and Baltimore. Explore all cosmetic dentistry in Timonium.
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