Smile Design & Alignment
A smile you’re proud of — planned around your health, not just the photos.
Aligners, whitening, veneers, or bonding — we help you choose what your smile actually needs, and show you a digital preview before you commit.
Book your free smile preview Call or text 754-240-4820
Complimentary consultation · Digital preview · English & Spanish
Which cosmetic treatment do I actually need — whitening, bonding, veneers, or aligners?
It depends on the problem. Whitening changes color only. Bonding repairs small chips and gaps in one visit. Veneers change shape and color together and last the longest. Clear aligners straighten crooked teeth. Often the healthiest plan combines two of these — we help you choose the least invasive option that reaches the result you want.
Why your smile is worth getting right
A smile you feel good about changes how you show up — in photos, at work, meeting new people. But a smile that only looks good in pictures and doesn’t hold up isn’t worth much. The best cosmetic work is planned around your bite and gum health first, so it looks natural and lasts.
If you’ve been hiding your smile — covering your mouth in photos, or putting this off because you’re a little embarrassed about how it looks — you’re far from alone, and there’s no judgment here. Many patients tell us the hardest part was simply asking. Understanding your options is a low-pressure first step, and it doesn’t commit you to anything.
How we approach cosmetic work
We plan cosmetic and alignment work around your health first — teeth that line up, work well, and are easy to keep clean. The result happens to look beautiful; it’s also built to last. We’ll always tell you the simplest option that gets you where you want to go, and you’ll see a digital preview of the result before you commit to anything.
How we decide what to recommend
“Cosmetic dentistry” isn’t one thing — it’s a toolkit, and the right tool depends on what’s bothering you. Here’s how we think it through:
- Teeth are crooked, crowded, or spaced — clear aligners (or, for complex cases, braces) move your own teeth into place. Alignment first often means less cosmetic work later.
- Teeth are straight but dull or yellow — professional whitening is the simplest, most conservative fix. We start here before anything permanent.
- A chip, small gap, or one off tooth — bonding reshapes it in a single visit, reversibly and affordably.
- You want a full front-tooth makeover — veneers reshape color, shape, and proportion together, and hold their look for years.
- The bite or worn teeth are the real issue — we address the foundation first (see restorative care), because cosmetics layered over an unstable bite won’t last.
Often the answer is a combination — for example, align first, whiten, then a little bonding to finish. You’ll get our honest read either way.
Your options, explained
Clear aligners
Straightening your teeth without metal brackets, on a timeline you can see from the start. Dr. Shantall, who completed orthodontic training through Progressive Orthodontics, shows you a digital preview of your finished smile before you commit, so you know exactly where you’re headed.
Professional whitening
A brighter smile, done safely, with attention to comfort and sensitivity. We check that your mouth is healthy first, then whiten in-office or with custom take-home trays.
Bonding
Tooth-colored resin sculpted onto the tooth to fix a chip, close a small gap, or reshape an edge — usually in a single visit, and reversible.
Veneers
Thin, custom shells that reshape color, shape, and proportion together for a full front-tooth makeover — planned conservatively with Dr. Dillon’s restorative eye so tooth removal stays minimal.
Veneers vs. bonding — a side-by-side
| Bonding | Veneers | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Tooth-colored resin sculpted on | Custom porcelain/ceramic shells |
| Tooth preparation | Little to none | A thin layer of enamel |
| Reversible? | Often | No |
| Stain resistance | Good; can pick up stain over time | Excellent |
| Typical longevity | Several years | Longer, often 10+ years |
| Visits | Usually one | A few |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Best for | One chip, a small gap, quick fixes | A full, lasting front-tooth makeover |
Clear aligners vs. braces — our honest read
Neither is universally better. Here’s how they compare, and we’ll give you a straight recommendation for your specific case:
| Clear aligners | Braces | |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Nearly invisible | Visible brackets |
| Removable? | Yes — for meals & photos | No — fixed on |
| Depends on you wearing it? | Yes, 20–22 hrs/day | No |
| Complex movements | Great for most cases | Often better for the hardest cases |
| Hygiene | Easy — take them out to brush | Requires extra care around brackets |
| Best for | Adults & teens who’ll wear them | Complex bites; teens who won’t comply |
What to expect, step by step
- Complimentary consult & digital preview. We listen to what you want to change, take a scan, and show you a preview of the finished result.
- A clear plan. We lay out your options — aligners, whitening, bonding, veneers, or a mix — with an itemized number, before you commit.
- Foundation first, if needed. Any decay or gum issues are handled before cosmetic work, so the result lasts.
- Treatment. Aligners over months, or whitening, bonding, and veneers over one to a few visits — at a pace that fits you.
- The reveal & approval. For veneers and bonding, you approve the look before it’s finalized.
- Retention & upkeep. A retainer keeps aligned teeth in place, and we show you how to maintain whitening and restorations at home.
A note from Dr. Shantall
What I love most about this work isn’t any single procedure — it’s the moment someone finally feels good about smiling again. With clear aligners, that often begins with a gentle, conservative nudge in the right direction.
And I’ll always give you my honest read. Between us, we bring two perspectives to every case — my orthodontic-training eye for alignment and Dr. Dillon’s restorative eye for the finish — so we can plan the right approach together. Often that’s something simpler than people expect. Either way, I’ll show you a digital preview of where we’re headed before you commit to anything.
— Dr. Shantall Di Loreto, DDS
Real results: aligner before & after
Every smile is different, but these MSD Dental Studio cases show the kind of crowding and alignment issues clear aligners routinely correct. Each pair is the same patient before treatment and after.
Crowded, rotated lower front teeth brought into a straight, even line.
Overlapping, crowded teeth guided into an even, well-aligned arch.
Crowding relieved for a broader, more balanced smile.
Uneven, crowded teeth straightened into a clean, aligned edge.
A crowded lower arch aligned into an even, easier-to-clean row.
Actual patients of Dr. Shantall Di Loreto, shown with permission. Every smile is different — individual results and treatment time vary.
Who clear aligners are right for
Clear aligners work beautifully for most common concerns in teens and adults — crowding, spacing, mild-to-moderate bite issues, and relapse after old braces. They’re an especially good fit if you want something discreet, removable for meals and photos, and easy to keep clean. If you can commit to wearing them, they’ll get most people where they want to go.
Who isn’t an ideal candidate — our honest take
- Complex bite problems — severe crowding, large skeletal discrepancies, or significant rotations sometimes move faster and more predictably with braces. We’d rather say so than fit you to the wrong tool.
- If you won’t wear them 20–22 hours a day — aligners only work while they’re in. If you know compliance will be hard, we’ll talk it through up front.
- Untreated decay or gum disease — we get the foundation healthy before moving teeth.
Timeline & what it’s really like
Most cases run from a few months to about 18 months, depending on how far the teeth have to move — and you see the projected timeline before you start. You’ll switch to a new set of aligners roughly every one to two weeks and check in with us periodically. There’s usually mild pressure for a day or two with each new set; that’s the teeth moving, and it fades quickly.
What it costs
Cosmetic pricing depends on your case — the treatment, the number of teeth, and your goals. Rather than quote a one-size figure, we plan it around your specific smile. You’ll get a clear, itemized number and a digital preview of the result before you commit, and we can walk you through financing and our in-house membership plan.
Common misconceptions
- “Aligners are just cosmetic.” Straighter teeth are easier to clean and healthier long-term — alignment is a health issue, not only a looks one.
- “Veneers ruin your teeth.” Well-planned veneers remove only a thin layer of enamel, and some cases remove almost none.
- “Whitening wrecks your enamel.” Done professionally on a healthy mouth, it doesn’t damage enamel — and we manage sensitivity carefully.
- “Any provider is the same.” Aligners are a tool; the plan behind them is what matters. A dentist who understands your whole bite plans differently than a mail-order kit.
- “Once they’re straight, they stay straight.” Teeth drift without a retainer. Retention is part of the plan, not an afterthought.
- “Cosmetic work always looks fake.” Designed around your face and previewed first, it looks like you — at your best.
Why patients choose MSD for smile design
- Health-first planning. Cosmetic work built on a stable bite and healthy gums, so it lasts.
- Two perspectives on every case. Dr. Shantall’s orthodontic-training eye for alignment and Dr. Dillon’s restorative eye for the finish.
- A digital preview before you commit. You see where we’re headed and approve the look first.
- A conservative bias. We recommend the simplest option that gets your result — often less than people expect.
- Doctor-owned, in English & Spanish, for patients across Coral Springs, Parkland, and Coconut Creek.
Related care
Cosmetic goals often connect to the rest of your mouth: restorative dentistry for chipped or worn teeth, replacing a missing tooth as part of a smile plan, and preventive care to keep your result healthy. New patients can start with our first-visit exam.
Sources & further reading
- American Dental Association — Dental Veneers — how veneers change tooth shape and color.
- American Dental Association — Teeth Whitening — professional whitening basics.
- American Dental Association — Orthodontics — aligning teeth with braces or clear aligners.
Independent, authoritative references for the general topics on this page. See our editorial & clinical-review policy.
Patient guides — how the decision is made
Doctor-reviewed guides that walk through the choices on this page in plain language:
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Medically reviewed for accuracy by Dr. Shantall Di Loreto, DDS · Updated July 2026 · Editorial policy.
How much do clear aligners (Invisalign) cost in Coral Springs?
The cost depends on your case — how much movement your smile needs and how long you're in treatment. You'll get an itemized number and a digital preview before you commit, and we can walk you through financing and our in-house membership plan.
Veneers vs. bonding — which is right for me?
Bonding is a great, lower-cost fix for a chip, a small gap, or one tooth — done in a single visit and reversible. Veneers cost more and involve some tooth preparation, but resist stain better and last longer, and they shine for a full front-tooth makeover. We recommend the most conservative option that gets you the result you want.
How much do veneers cost?
It depends on how many teeth and the material. Rather than a one-size number, we plan it around your specific smile and give you an itemized figure — and a digital preview of the result — before you commit.
Do veneers ruin your natural teeth?
Well-planned veneers remove only a thin layer of enamel, and some minimal-prep cases remove almost none. The key is conservative planning — we design them around your bite and keep tooth removal to the minimum the result requires.
How long does teeth whitening last?
With simple upkeep, professional whitening lasts a long time — often a year or more before a light touch-up. Coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco fade it faster. We show you how to maintain your result at home.
Does whitening damage enamel or cause sensitivity?
Professional whitening done correctly doesn't damage enamel. We check that your mouth is healthy first and use a comfort-focused system, so most patients feel little or no sensitivity.
Am I a candidate for clear aligners?
Most teens and adults with crowding, spacing, or mild-to-moderate bite issues are good candidates — as long as you'll wear the aligners 20–22 hours a day. Very complex bites can move more predictably with braces, and we treat any decay or gum disease first. Dr. Shantall gives you an honest read at your consultation.
Invisalign vs. braces — which is better?
Neither is universally better. Aligners win on appearance, comfort, hygiene, and eating whatever you like, but depend on you wearing them; braces are fixed, often better for the most complex movements, and a good call for teens who won't keep aligners in. We give you a straight recommendation for your case.
How long does clear-aligner treatment take?
Most cases run from a few months to about 18 months, depending on how far the teeth need to move. You see the projected timeline before you start and switch to a new set roughly every one to two weeks.
Do clear aligners hurt?
There's usually mild pressure for a day or two with each new set — that's the teeth moving, and it fades quickly. Most people find them far more comfortable than braces.
Will I need a retainer after aligners?
Yes. Teeth naturally drift over time, so a retainer keeps your result. Retention is part of the plan from the start, not an afterthought.
Can you fix one chipped or discolored front tooth?
Often in a single visit. Bonding can reshape a chip or close a small gap; for a stubbornly discolored tooth, we'll talk through whitening, bonding, or a veneer and recommend the simplest option that looks natural.
Are mail-order or DIY aligners safe?
Moving teeth without an in-person exam and supervision carries real risk to your gums, roots, and bite. We plan and monitor everything in person, so your result is safe and lasts.
Should I whiten before veneers or bonding?
Usually yes. Whitening changes only your natural teeth, not veneers or bonding, so we whiten first and then match the new restorations to your brighter shade. Sequencing matters, and we plan it up front.
Will cosmetic work look natural?
That's the whole point. We design around your face and bite, show you a digital preview first, and let you approve the look in a trial before anything is finalized — so the result looks like you, at your best.
¿Hablan español?
Sí. La Dra. Shantall diseña su sonrisa con calidez, en español, y le muestra una vista previa digital antes de comprometerse a nada.
See your new smile before you decide.
Book a free smile preview. We’ll show you the options and a digital preview of the result — no pressure, no obligation.
Book your free smile preview Or call or text 754-240-4820