Show Those Pearly Whites
Modern dentistry is no longer just about cleanings and fillings. Today’s dental practices offer a full range of next-level technology for creating the ideal smile. At the head of that trend is Smile Arkansas, owned by Little Rock native Dr. Jahon Zehtaban. For the past 12 years, Zehtaban has delighted patients with his work, from helping them maintain healthy teeth to various cosmetic techniques that produce dazzling, confidence-improving smiles.
Recently, Zehtaban added two new pieces of equipment that promise to revolutionize his practice, delivering superior results faster and more comfortably than ever.
“In the last eight months, I’ve added a 3D printer, which, in dentistry — and particularly our type of dentistry — have become really convenient,” he said. “Used to be if you wanted to get some cosmetic work done or braces or whatever, you would have to take a gooey impression, and it would gag you, and then the dentist would have to pour models in stone, and then design what they wanted on that stone and make copies of it. It was a very lengthy, arduous process.
“With the 3D printer, we take a digital scan of the patient’s teeth, and we can print a model in 20 minutes. Then I can design what I want the tooth to look like on that model and just make a little stent to transfer it to their mouth. That’s one of the uses, which has been great.”
Another application has been printing temporary veneers for cosmetic purposes, which replace handmade versions. Zehtaban said as recently as a couple of years ago, patients considering veneers would have to wait for the temporary ones to use as a trial set, but with the new printer, that process has sped up considerably.
“Now, on the front end, we can have these designed, print them, then adhere them after we do our dental work, and they can wear those around,” he said. “They’re nicer, better-fitting temporaries, and they give the patient a realistic view of what the final porcelain will look like. That’s been huge for us.”
The practice has also installed a laser that has been a game changer in giving the smile a clean look by doing gum work and cleanings that are neater and easier on the patient.
“We use that, typically, to change how people’s gums look in certain areas to make them symmetrical,” he said. “Using a scalpel can get messy and be more uncomfortable for the patient. With a laser, it’s really minimally invasive. It’s not painful, and it leaves little blood or residue behind, which is incredible.
“We also use it for cleanings for people who need deeper cleanings. Instead of having to get scraped on with all the sharp tools, we can use a laser to clean some of those areas in a way that is much more comfortable, much quicker and does a better job. That’s been fantastic.”
An alum of Little Rock Central High School, Zehtaban graduated magna cum laude from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville with a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry. He then graduated with honors from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Dentistry. He combines this vast subject matter knowledge with experience and continuing education to stay among the top tier of local dental providers.
“Techniquewise, we get better from repetition, and in terms of protocols, I’m constantly tinkering with things and learning from other colleagues on how we can get better,” he said. “Overall, experience has taught me that each patient is different, whereas in dental school, they approach fixing teeth all the same way. When you get out and you start to meet people and understand their situations, their finances and budgets, you realize just because the book says this is how you fix something, you really have to listen to the patient and create a custom plan for them. I will say that’s the thing where this clinic really does a good job.”
Photo courtesy of Smile Arkansas
SEE THE FEATURE BELOW AND IN OUR AUGUST 2026 ISSUE OF AY MAGAZINE
