What Can I Do to Improve My Smile Coral Gables, FL
Brightening your smile can enhance your overall appearance. Most people have at least one aspect of their smile that they would like to improve. Fortunately, many options are available to enhance a smile's appearance — from proper maintenance to restorative and cosmetic treatments.
Shari A Witkoff, DMD in Coral Gables and the surrounding area can help you improve your smile. Our team will help determine the right treatment to help you meet your smile goals. Contact us at (305) 460-9561 to learn more about our services or schedule an appointment.
The Benefits of an Improved Smile
Patients who deliberately work to improve their smile are more likely to smile freely, which can have many benefits. Researchers have shown that the physical act of smiling can make you feel happier through a hypothesis known as facial feedback. According to the facial feedback hypothesis, when the facial muscles form into a smile, it can trigger feelings of actual happiness in the brain.
Beyond the positive inward impact of a smile, smiling can also positively affect others. Research published in the journal Brain Science has also demonstrated that people who smile more often have happier relationships and are rated more favorably by others. The same researchers have also posited that people who smile more live longer.
“According to the facial feedback hypothesis, when the facial muscles form into a smile, it can trigger feelings of actual happiness in the brain.”
Finding the Right Dentist
Patients that decide they would like to improve their smile may easily get stuck in the contemplation phase. Actively researching a dentist who can improve smiles is the first step in reaping positive benefits.
One of the most important factors that play into the search process for a restorative dentist is trust. When the patient finds a dentist they trust – this is accomplished by word of mouth and online research – they can work together to decide what type of procedure feels comfortable for them.
Other factors that should go into the search for a dentist include:
- Education and credibility
- Reputation
- Cost of procedures
- Body of work (ask to see before and after photos)
- Ease of scheduling
When researching a dentist, make sure to follow intuition. Do not feel pressured or strong-armed into a procedure that does not feel right.
“Do not feel pressured or strong-armed into a procedure that does not feel right.”
Maintaining a Healthy Smile
A smile's health plays an important role in its appearance. Proper dental care techniques play a vital role in sustaining and improving a healthy smile. Although a healthy smile is not achieved overnight, developing healthy dental habits can help improve the look and health of teeth. Some techniques that support healthy teeth and gums include:
- Brushing teeth twice a day
- Flossing at least once a day
- Limiting staining foods or drinks
- Receiving prompt dental treatment
- Scheduling regular dental check-ups
“Proper dental care techniques play a vital role in sustaining and improving a healthy smile.”
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: What Can I Do to Improve My Smile in Coral Gables, FL
Restorative Methods
Restorative dental procedures are available to help repair the appearance and function of a patient's teeth. The primary focus of restorative methods is to replace damaged or missing tooth structure. There are two types of restorative methods, direct and indirect. Direct dental restorations involve placing a filling directly into a prepped and cleaned tooth cavity.
The creation of indirect dental restorations occurs outside of the mouth cavity to fix more severe dental damage. The common types of indirect restorative methods include veneers, dental crowns, inlays, onlays, and dental bridges. Patients should consult our dentist to learn about the available options.
“Restorative dental procedures are available to help repair the appearance and function of a patient’s teeth.”
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. What care techniques help maintain a healthy smile?
Q. What restorative methods can help patients improve their smiles?
Q. What cosmetic treatments can patients receive?
Q. What are the benefits of an improved smile?
Q. How should I go about finding a restorative dentist?
People Also Ask
Q. What are the common cosmetic dental services?
Q. How does one maintain a healthy smile?
Q. What are teeth whitening options at the dentist?
Q. Are at-home teeth whitening treatments effective?
Cosmetic Treatments
Cosmetic treatments can help patients improve the appearance of stained, discolored, worn, chipped, broken, or misshapen teeth. The most common cosmetic dental treatment is teeth whitening. This procedure can brighten and whiten teeth quickly and effectively. Dental veneers are a cosmetic treatment that consists of placing thin shells over teeth to fix crookedness, chips, or discoloration.
Other popular cosmetic treatments include dental bonding and enamel shaping. Dental bonding involves adhering tooth-colored composite material to the surface of badly stained, broken, or chipped teeth. During enamel shaping, the tooth is reshaped by filing or removing the enamel. Patients interested in receiving cosmetic treatment should talk to our dentist to find the right one for their needs.
“Cosmetic treatments can help patients improve the appearance of stained, discolored, worn, chipped, broken, or misshapen teeth.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why would a person have a cosmetic bonding procedure?
A. According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the most common reason that dentists use bonding is to repair a patient's chipped tooth. When bonding a tooth, dentists use specific materials that closely match the natural color of the surrounding teeth. This may make a big difference in the appearance of the formerly chipped tooth and the overall smile.
Q. Does insurance pay for cosmetic dentistry?
A. Because cosmetic dentistry services are elective (meaning that they are not determined to be a medical necessity), they are not always covered by insurance. The cost of a cosmetic dentistry procedure ranges depending on the number of teeth involved and the technique. Make sure to discuss your desires with your dentist to see what type of investment may be right for you.
Q. Will it be obvious that I have had work done to improve my smile?
A. The extent to which you want to enhance your smile is entirely up to you. If you elect to have dental extractions and implants, or veneers, they may dramatically improve your smile in a way that may be apparent to people who knew you previously. There are many options available that are subtler. Whatever you choose, your dentist may be able to help you visualize the outcome beforehand, whether through imaging models or direct placement on your teeth.
Q. How long do veneers last?
A. According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, a porcelain veneer can have a life that ranges between seven and twenty years. Veneers will last longer if they receive proper oral care, including careful attention not to bite down hard on non-food items.
Q. What is the best order of treatment to improve my smile?
A. The most important treatments should be done before any cosmetics. We advise starting with restorative treatments that help restore oral function, such as any fillings and replacement procedures. Next, we like to focus on orthodontics to help straighten the teeth and correct any jaw displacement. Lastly, cosmetic procedures, such as teeth whitening or veneers, can be done.
Scan here to view this page, What Can I Do to Improve My Smile, on mobile
Cosmetic Dentistry Terminology
Call Us Today
Improving your smile can help you look as good as you feel. We at Shari A Witkoff, DMD can help. Call us today at 305-460-9561 to schedule an appointment or learn more about our services.
Helpful Related Links
- American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Clinical Terms. 2026
- American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry® (AACD). Home Page. 2026
- WebMD. WebMD’s Oral Care Guide. 2026
About our business, license, and website security
- Shari A Witkoff, DMD was established in 1996.
- We accept the following payment methods: American Express, Cash, Check, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa
- We serve patients from the following counties: Miami-Dade County, Broward County and Monroe County
- We serve patients from the following cities: Coral Gables, Miami, North Miami, South Miami, Doral, Aventura, Coconut Grove, Hialeah and Miami Beach
- FL (License #DN14063). View License Information and Specifics
- National Provider Identifier Database (1720208986). View NPI Registry Information
- Healthgrades. View Background Information and Reviews
- Norton Safe Web. View Details
- Trend Micro Site Safety Center. View Details
Scan here to open directions to Shari A Witkoff, DMD on mobile
Back to top of What Can I Do to Improve My Smile
Related Posts
Welcome To Shari A Witkoff, DMD
We are committed to providing quality service to residents located In the Coral Gables, FL area. Our website has additional information about the following topics: Dentist, Cosmetic Dentist, General Dentist, Family Dentist, Emergency Dentist, Dental Implants, All-on-4 Dental Implants, Implant Supported Dentures, Dentures and Partial Dentures.
Explore additional topics covered on our website:
Call Us Today
Scan here to call Shari A Witkoff, DMD on mobile