“Before I came here, I didn’t have a smile. I always kept my mouth totally closed.”
For decades Philip avoided the dentist.
Like many people who struggle with dental anxiety, what started as fear eventually became years without dental care. He was unhappy with his teeth, uncomfortable showing his smile, and convinced that sitting in a dental chair would be far more difficult than most people could understand.
Today, he smiles with confidence.
But before any treatment began, there was a conversation that changed everything.
THE FIRST VISIT
One of the most memorable moments from Philip’s testimonial is his description of meeting Dr. Andrew Koenigsberg for the first time.
“Before I sat in Dr. Koenigsberg’s chair, I gave him a speech and said, ‘I probably should be seeing a psychiatrist, not a dentist.'”
Philip went on to explain that he hadn’t been to a dentist in decades because of his phobia.
Dr. Koenigsberg’s response was simple.
“Well, let’s get started.”
For someone who had avoided dental care for years, simply scheduling an appointment was a major step. What happened next helped change his perspective.
“Dr. Koenigsberg immediately put me at ease.”
“In fact, the whole staff did.”
The fear that had kept him away from dentistry for so long finally began to fade.
UNDERSTANDING THE CHALLENGE
Years without treatment had taken a toll on Philip’s smile.
The goal wasn’t simply to improve appearance. The challenge was to restore health, function, and confidence while preserving as much of his natural dentition as possible.
Every decision would need to be carefully planned.
DESIGNING THE NEW SMILE
We use 3D intra and extra oral scanning to create a “virtual patient” so the technicians at Same Day Ceramics can accurately design a new look that fits the patient and allows the patient to have input into their new smile.
Before treatment began, Dr. Andrew Koenigsberg and the team at Same Day Ceramics, CitySpire Dental’s state-of-the-art in-house laboratory, used advanced digital planning tools to design Philip’s future smile.
Digital smile design allowed the team to evaluate function, esthetics, and facial harmony before the final restorations were created. This process also helped determine which teeth could be preserved and how the final result could be achieved as conservatively as possible.
As one of the few dental practices in New York City with its own on-site lab, CitySpire Dental gives its doctors the ability to collaborate directly with skilled technicians throughout every stage of treatment. This real-time partnership streamlines communication, allows for precise refinement, and helps create restorations that are both functional, natural-looking and where the patient has input into the design.
A CUSTOMIZED APPROACH
Phillip, an artist himself, works with the technicians at Sane Day Ceramics to design his smile.
Each phase of treatment was designed around Philip’s specific needs. The focus was not simply on creating a beautiful smile, but on creating a healthy, functional result that would feel natural and comfortable.
The treatment plan combined careful planning, advanced technology, and custom restorations crafted in Same Day Ceramics to help bring that vision to life. Just as importantly, patients like Philip can be actively involved in the design of their smile, working alongside both the doctor and the lab team to help shape the final result.
Philip was able to see his new smile take shape, provide feedback, and participate in important decisions along the way. The combination of patient input, on-site fabrication, and close collaboration resulted in a highly personalized experience, faster turnaround times, and a smile that truly reflected his goals.
THE TRANSFORMATION
Just months after that first appointment, Philip’s smile looked dramatically different.
More importantly, he felt different.
“I love my new smile from CitySpire Dental.”
For someone who spent years hiding his teeth, the emotional impact was just as important as the physical transformation.
In another testimonial, Philip reflected on the change in a simple but powerful way:
“Before I came here, I didn’t have a smile.”
“I always kept my mouth totally closed. And if a photo was taken, I wouldn’t smile.”
Today, that is no longer the case.
MORE THAN A NEW SMILE
What makes Philip’s story so compelling isn’t simply the before-and-after photographs.
It’s the fact that his relationship with dentistry changed completely.
The patient who once avoided dental appointments now speaks about them very differently.
“And I went from a man who didn’t want to go to the dentist.”
“I’m unhappy now that I can’t come anymore.”
“In fact, I’m going to come because every three months I’m going to get my teeth cleaned.”
That may be the greatest transformation of all.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Many people postpone dental treatment because of fear, embarrassment, or previous experiences.
Philip’s story is a reminder that it is never too late to take the first step.
With compassion, trust, thoughtful planning, and personalized care, a smile can be transformed.
Sometimes, so can a person’s confidence.
