Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are thin sheets of colored porcelain that cover the front, and sometimes the sides, of teeth that show in your smile. There are several types of materials used in making porcelain veneers. The original veneers required a very talented lab technician to fabricate “from scratch”, using feldspathic porcelain, a powder mixed with distilled water to form a paste that the technician then applied to a model made from the impression of the patient’s prepared teeth. In the early ’90s, Empress porcelain changed the cosmetic dentistry world by introducing injection-molded porcelain with high strength and excellent esthetics, allowing technicians to wax the full shape of the tooth, similar to a gold crown, or the way jewelry is made. The increased strength and ease of use sky-rocketed the popularity of porcelain veneers. Dr. Mark Sweeney uses mostly Empress porcelain veneers.

Porcelain Veneer Benefits
Instant Orthodontics with Veneers
Porcelain Veneer Procedure
Porcelain Veneer Results
Porcelain Veneers Vs. Crowns
Porcelain Veneer Cost
Porcelain Veneer Before & After Photos

What Are the Benefits of Porcelain Veneers?

For a wide variety of tooth imperfections, porcelain veneers can often serve as the right solution. Veneers can help improve a tooth’s structural integrity as well as provide a complete cosmetic overhaul. The long list of benefits you can expect is listed below:

Improved overall appearance with youthful results
Enhanced function, helping to improve issues with chewing, your bite, and TMJ disorder
Boosted protection of the tooth’s surface
Eliminate gaps between teeth
Colored-corrected to match your surrounding teeth
Long-lasting results that are strong and durable

What Is “Instant Orthodontics” With Veneers?

Are you tired of having misaligned or crooked teeth, but not interested in spending years in braces? With “instant orthodontics” through porcelain veneers at Austin Dental Spa, you can achieve a straight and stunning smile in just a few visits! Porcelain veneers can be fitted over a patient’s existing teeth after Dr. Sweeney makes only the most conservative preparations. Dr. Sweeney has used this technique to help many of our patients achieve consistently impressive results, and he can also help you.

What Is the Porcelain Veneers Procedure Like?

Recent technological advances in the strength of feldspathic porcelains have ushered in the latest craze of minimal- or non-prep veneers (also known by the trade names Lumineers^{^™} and DURAthins^{^™}). A talented lab technician can fabricate an extremely thin veneer, allowing us to change your smile in many cases with little or NO tooth structure removal. Dr. Sweeney works with two world-class dental laboratories that are skilled in this technology. Call us now to schedule a consultation to see if this technology is right for your new smile!

Regardless of what material is utilized for your veneers, Dr. Sweeney pays meticulous attention to the temporaries that are placed on your teeth while your permanent veneers are being made. These are your “prototypes” for your final smile, and we want to ensure that you are happy with them before your final veneers are made. Typically, only about three weeks are needed from the preparation appointment to the final delivery of your new smile!

What Results Can I Expect with Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers often produce results that can last between 10 to 15 years. While made of thin strips of porcelain, these pieces are durable and resistant to staining. Because the veneers can be shade-matched to your surrounding teeth, the finished results are incredibly natural looking. Porcelain veneers are designed with the intent of improving your smile’s appearance while avoiding a fake or unnatural look.

Porcelain Veneers Vs. Porcelain Crowns

While often comprised of the same material, veneers and crowns are used in distinctly different situations. Porcelain veneers utilize thin strips of porcelain to improve the appearance and some functionality while covering just the front and sides of the tooth. Porcelain crowns are used for more severe situations where there is significant damage present. By encapsulating the entire tooth, crowns can provide improved function, prevent further damage, and enhance the overall look of your smile. Both treatments are viable options and our team will be able to determine which is best for you at your initial consultation.

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How Much Do Porcelain Veneers Cost?

The cost of porcelain veneers will likely be different for each patient and their varying needs. The type of veneers chosen will also need to be considered as the selection will impact the overall price as well. Our team can go over financial information and insurance coverage during the initial consultation.

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