Choosing to enhance your smile is one of the most significant personal investments you can make. It’s a decision that impacts not just your appearance, but your daily confidence and long-term oral health.
In a city like Nashville, where the aesthetic standard is high but grounded in authenticity, you need a dental team who understands the nuance between “perfect” and “fake.”
At Nations Dental Studio in West Nashville, we believe cosmetic dentistry is more than just procedures—it’s a blend of advanced clinical skill and artistic design. Whether you’re a professional in Belle Meade needing a subtle refinement or a creative in The Nations looking for a complete transformation, your smile should look like you, only better.
If you’ve been researching your options and feeling overwhelmed by the choices, this guide is for you. We’re breaking down the top cosmetic solutions available at our West Nashville practice, exactly how they work, and how to choose the right path for your unique smile.
Understanding Cosmetic Dentistry: Natural Results Matter
We often hear patients say, “I want to fix my teeth, but I don’t want them to look like I had work done.” We completely agree.
Our approach focuses on creating results that look like your best natural smile—not someone else’s. We use advanced ceramics that reflect light exactly like natural teeth, and we carefully design shapes that complement your specific facial features, lip line, and gum symmetry. The goal is always a smile that looks like it was always meant to be yours.
Porcelain Veneers: The Total Transformation
Best for: Patients seeking a permanent, comprehensive solution for chipped, deeply stained, or misshapen teeth.
Porcelain veneers are the gold standard in cosmetic dentistry for a reason. They offer the most control over the final result, allowing us to redesign the shape, size, color, and alignment of your smile simultaneously.
What Porcelain Veneers Can Do
Porcelain veneers address multiple cosmetic concerns in one comprehensive treatment:
- Shape correction: Reshape teeth that are too short, too long, or misshapen
- Color transformation: Cover deep stains that whitening can’t remove
- Alignment improvement: Create the appearance of straighter teeth
- Gap closure: Close spaces between teeth
- Chip repair: Restore damaged or worn teeth
The Expertise Behind the Smile
Veneers are not a commodity; they are custom art. Dr. Jon Baese, an American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) member and graduate of the prestigious Kois Center, specializes in high-esthetic cases. He often utilizes “minimal prep” or “no-prep” techniques (like DuraThin®) to preserve as much of your natural tooth structure as possible.
The Veneer Process: From Design to Reveal
Our veneer process ensures you’re completely happy with your new smile before we create the permanent restorations:
1. Digital Design We scan your smile and create a digital blueprint of your ideal smile.
2. The “Trial Smile” You’ll wear a temporary version of your new smile. This is your “test drive”—we adjust the length and shape based on your feedback before the permanent ceramic is made.
3. Final Bonding Once you love the design, the final porcelain is permanently bonded to your teeth.
We see many patients from Sylvan Park, West End, and across Davidson County choosing veneers because they offer a durable, stain-resistant solution that can last 15-20 years with proper care.
Invisalign: The Invisible Alignment
Best for: Adults who want straight teeth without the “metal mouth” look, or professionals who need lifestyle flexibility.
If your teeth are healthy but crooked, crowded, or spaced, Invisalign is the modern answer to orthodontics. Dr. Diana D’Aoust and our team are certified Invisalign providers who focus on more than just straight teeth—we align your bite for long-term health.
What Invisalign Can Fix
Invisalign effectively treats a wide range of alignment issues:
- Crowding: Teeth that overlap or are too close together
- Spacing: Gaps between teeth
- Overbite/Underbite: Jaw alignment issues
- Crossbite: Upper and lower teeth that don’t align properly
- Relapse: Teeth that have shifted after previous orthodontic treatment
Why Not “Mail-Order” Aligners?
You may have seen ads for DIY aligners sent to your home. The difference is safety and supervision. Without a dentist monitoring your roots and bone levels, DIY aligners can cause permanent damage or bite issues. With in-office Invisalign, you have a trained professional checking your progress and making adjustments to ensure safe, effective results.
Advanced Technology: No More Goop
Digital Scanning Forget the gag-inducing putty impressions of the past. We use the iTero Element® 5D Scanner to create a 3D map of your teeth in minutes.
See Your Future Smile Our simulator can show you a preview of your straight smile before you even start treatment.
Precision Fit Digital scanning results in aligners that fit better and move teeth more accurately.
Teeth Whitening & Bonding: The Quick Polish
Best for: High-impact results on a tighter timeline or budget. Perfect for upcoming weddings, photoshoots, or reunions.
Sometimes, you don’t need a major overhaul. A “mini-makeover” using professional teeth whitening and dental bonding can dramatically refresh your look in a single visit.
When Whitening and Bonding Work Best
This combination is ideal for patients who need:
- Surface-level improvements: Stains, minor chips, or small gaps
- Quick results: Same-day transformation
- Budget-conscious options: Lower investment than veneers or Invisalign
- Event preparation: Upcoming special occasions or professional photos
Professional Whitening vs. Store-Bought Options
Professional Whitening Benefits:
- Deeper penetration: Professional-grade systems penetrate the enamel to lift deep-set stains from coffee, wine, and aging
- Safer application: Custom trays protect your gums from irritation
- Customizable strength: We adjust the formula to manage sensitivity while maximizing results
- Faster results: Professional systems work in days, not weeks
Store-Bought Limitations:
- Only treat surface stains
- One-size-fits-all trays may not fit properly
- Can cause gum irritation or uneven whitening
- Results fade faster without professional maintenance
Artistic Bonding
For small chips, gaps, or jagged edges, dental bonding is our secret weapon. Using a composite resin that matches your tooth shade perfectly, Dr. Raffoul or Dr. D’Aoust can hand-sculpt the restoration directly onto your tooth. It’s non-invasive, usually requires no numbing, and is completed in one appointment.
Meet Your Cosmetic Dentistry Team
You aren’t just choosing a procedure; you’re choosing a team. At Nations Dental Studio, our doctors invest hundreds of hours annually in continuing education to stay at the forefront of cosmetic technology.
Dr. Diana D’Aoust, DMD
A member of the American Academy of Facial Esthetics (AAFE), Dr. D’Aoust brings a unique perspective to smile design, considering how your smile supports your facial muscles and overall aesthetics. Her expertise in facial esthetics ensures your cosmetic work enhances your entire appearance, not just your teeth.
Dr. Jon Baese, DMD
With advanced training from the Kois Center and Spear Education, Dr. Baese is an expert in complex restorative cases, ensuring your beautiful smile is built on a mechanically sound foundation. His precision and attention to detail make him ideal for high-esthetic cases requiring meticulous planning.
Dr. Hannah Raffoul, DMD
Known for her gentle touch and residency training in complex care, Dr. Raffoul excels at making even anxious patients feel completely at ease during cosmetic procedures. Her compassionate approach helps patients feel comfortable throughout their smile transformation journey.
Comparing Your Cosmetic Dentistry Options
To help you decide, here’s a breakdown of our most popular cosmetic pathways:
Porcelain Veneers
Primary Goal: Complete shape and color redesign
Timeline: 2-3 visits (3-4 weeks)
Longevity: 10-15+ years with proper care
Best For: Patients with deep stains, chips, worn teeth, or multiple cosmetic concerns who want a comprehensive, permanent solution with maximum control over their final result.
Invisalign
Primary Goal: Straightening and alignment
Timeline: 6-18 months
Longevity: Permanent results (with proper retention)
Best For: Patients with crowding, spacing, relapse after previous orthodontics, or bite issues who want to straighten their smile without visible braces.
Whitening & Bonding
Primary Goal: Brightness and minor repairs
Timeline: 1 visit (same-day results)
Longevity: 3-7 years
Best For: Patients with dull color, minor chips, small gaps, or surface-level concerns seeking fast, affordable improvements or preparing for a special event.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cosmetic Dentistry
Does cosmetic dentistry hurt?
Modern cosmetic dentistry is designed to be comfortable. For procedures like bonding and whitening, anesthesia is often not even needed. For veneers, we use local anesthetic to ensure you’re completely numb, and we offer sedation options for anxious patients.
Most patients report minimal discomfort, and we prioritize your comfort throughout every procedure.
How long does a smile makeover take?
It depends on the path you choose:
- Bonding and whitening: Can be done in one afternoon
- Veneers: Typically take 3-4 weeks from start to finish
- Invisalign: A longer journey, often 6-12 months, but your smile improves gradually throughout the process
During your consultation, we’ll provide a detailed timeline based on your specific treatment plan.
Do you offer financing?
Absolutely. We believe everyone deserves a confident smile. We work with third-party financing partners like CareCredit to offer flexible monthly payment plans that fit your budget.
How do I know which option is right for me?
That’s exactly what a consultation is for. During your visit, we’ll:
- Examine your teeth and oral health
- Discuss your goals and concerns
- Walk you through the options that make sense for your situation
- Provide honest recommendations based on your needs
There’s no pressure—just honest guidance from our team to help you make the best decision for your smile.
Ready to Visualize Your New Smile?
We know that Nashville residents have plenty of options for cosmetic dental care, but we believe the difference is in the details. From our digital workflow to our comfort-first amenities (yes, you can watch Netflix during your visit), we’ve designed Nations Dental Studio to be the dental home you actually look forward to visiting.
Your Next Steps
You don’t have to commit to a procedure today. The best first step is a cosmetic consultation. Let’s sit down, discuss your goals, and design a smile that is authentically you.
Ready to take the next step? Schedule your consultation today or call us at (615) 238-2878. We’re conveniently located in West Nashville, serving patients from The Nations, Sylvan Park, Belle Meade, West End, and throughout the greater Nashville area.
Want to learn more about specific treatments?
- Porcelain Veneers - Complete smile redesign
- Invisalign - Invisible teeth straightening
- Teeth Whitening - Professional brightening
- Dental Bonding - Quick cosmetic repairs
- Smile Makeover - Comprehensive transformation
Your perfect smile is waiting. Let’s create it together.