Austin Dental Practice News

Congratulations to Debbie on Her Retirement!

Posted in Austin Dental Practice News, Austin Dental Spa

From all of us at Austin Dental Spa, we wish Debbie the best as she enters retirement! She has been a dental hygienist with our team since 1990, offering our patients friendly, compassionate care. Several generations of patients have established relationships with Debbie, not wanting anyone but her to clean their teeth. According to Dr. Mark Sweeney, she is a “world class dental hygienist” for working alongside him for 25 years.

Although we’re sad to see Debbie go, we’re excited for what the next chapter of her life may bring. No matter how she spends her extra time – from cooking to traveling to spending more time with family and friends – we know Debbie will continue to make a difference in people’s lives.

Thank you for all you’ve done for our team and patients, Debbie, and enjoy your retirement!

How Much do Porcelain Dental Veneers Typically Cost?

Posted in Austin Dental Practice News, Austin Dental Spa, Cosmetic Dentistry, Dentistry FAQ's

If you are concerned about issues such as stains, chips, gaps, or mild teeth misalignment, porcelain dental veneers can often be a great way to improve those common conditions. Composed of a durable ceramic material, these thin shells are custom-designed to fit over the visible portion of the affected teeth. The veneers are color-tinted to match the natural shade of surrounding teeth, and the results can last for decades with the proper care.

The cost of porcelain veneer treatment is dependent upon a number of factors. Since the procedure is customized for each individual’s needs, the overall price varies among each patient. The number of porcelain veneers necessary to meet your needs, as well as the degree of tooth preparation required to accommodate each veneer, are some of the variables that will go into determining the price of treatment. Once Dr. Mark Sweeney or Dr. Jordan Slagter has evaluated your teeth and talked with you about your options, we can provide you with an estimate of the expected costs. A member of our team will be happy to go over this with you before you ultimately decide to have the treatment.

At Austin Dental Spa, we want to make the price of dental treatment as affordable and convenient as possible. Our practice accepts a variety of payment methods, and we work with CareCredit® – a healthcare financing company that offers qualified applicants a way to finance dental treatments with flexible, low-interest payment plans.

Porcelain veneers can improve a number of aesthetic and functional dental imperfections with beautiful, natural-looking results. If you have questions about costs associated with porcelain veneers, or if you would like to schedule an appointment here at Austin Dental Spa, please contact us today.

Can I Get Porcelain Veneers?

Posted in Austin Dental Practice News, Austin Dental Spa, Cosmetic Dentistry, Dentistry FAQ's, Office News

As one of our most popular cosmetic dentistry treatments, porcelain veneers can rejuvenate your smile in just a few office visits. During the porcelain veneer procedure, our dentists will apply a thin layer of durable porcelain to your teeth that can address a wide spectrum of cosmetic concerns. If cracks, chips, or stains cause you embarrassment or make you want to hide your smile, you may be a good candidate for porcelain veneers. The color of your porcelain veneers will be made to match the color of the surrounding teeth for natural looking results and a seamless smile.

If you have uneven teeth or mild tooth misalignment, this can also be addressed with porcelain veneers. Sometimes referred to as “instant orthodontics,” porcelain veneers can make your teeth appear straight and even. As an added advantage, patients who opt for porcelain veneers do not need to wait a year or more for traditional braces to correct the position of their teeth. The relative speed of this treatment makes porcelain veneers popular for patients who have an important upcoming event, such as a wedding, reunion, or vacation.

If you would like to learn more about porcelain veneers, or to schedule a consultation with one of our dentists at Austin Dental Spa, please contact our office today. With porcelain veneers, you can keep your teeth looking healthy and youthful for decades.

– Dr. Mark Sweeney

Can Eating Junk Food Change Your Behavior?

Posted in Austin Dental Practice News, Austin Dental Spa, Office News

A recent study, published in the open-access journal Frontiers in Psychology, implies a junk food diet can change a rat’s behavior, and perhaps that of a human. In addition to gaining weight, researchers observed that rats make different choices on which food to eat and how much to consume after eating unhealthy food.

Like most animals, rats raised on healthy eating habits are more inclined not to overeat or overindulge, which promotes a more balanced diet. However, after two weeks of a diet filled with cookies, cake, and other “cafeteria food,” researchers found that the rats’ natural behaviors dramatically changed. The study suggests the junk food diet altered the part of the brain responsible for making decisions. This change to their brain’s food reward signals caused the rats to stop seeking a balanced diet. The biological change had lasting effects, according to the researchers, even after the rats went back to a healthy better diet.

Based on their findings, scientists believe this phenomenon could explain why it’s hard for humans to stop overeating and go back to eating healthier meals after consuming junk food. In addition to causing a change in eating behaviors, a consistent overindulgence in junk food can also lead to tooth decay, cavities, and a variety of other dental issues, all of which makes consuming a more balanced, nutritional diet that much more important.

For more information about the effects junk food can have on your oral and overall health, please contact Austin Dental Spa today.