Transform Chipped, Stained or Uneven Teeth Into a Smile You Love
If chipped, stained, worn or uneven teeth make you hesitant to smile, dental veneers may help you achieve the natural-looking improvement you want. Custom veneers can enhance tooth color, shape and proportions, creating a more balanced smile without changing what makes it uniquely yours.
At Modern Family Dentistry of Oak Hill, Dr. Benjamin Sharfae, DDS, and Dr. Maggie Sharfae, DDS, provide personalized dental veneer treatment in Austin, TX. Both dentists have decades of cosmetic and restorative experience, combining careful smile design with modern dental technology and attention to long-term oral health.
Whether you want to improve one noticeable tooth or explore a complete smile makeover, our dentists will help you understand your options.
Ready to love your smile? Call 512-301-9002 today to schedule a dental veneer consultation in Austin, Texas.
What Are Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers are thin, custom-made restorations bonded to the front surfaces of teeth to improve their appearance. They can change tooth color, shape, size and visible proportions while creating a natural-looking result.
Veneers are commonly made from porcelain or tooth-colored composite resin. Porcelain veneers are generally fabricated by a dental laboratory and bonded to prepared teeth, while composite veneers may be shaped directly on the teeth.
Porcelain veneers are especially popular for cosmetic smile improvements because they offer a natural appearance, stain resistance and long-lasting results when properly maintained.
Our dentists evaluate your teeth, gums, bite and cosmetic goals before recommending veneers or another treatment.
What Cosmetic Problems Can Dental Veneers Fix?
Veneers can address several common smile concerns, sometimes improving multiple imperfections with one coordinated treatment plan.
- Chipped teeth: Restore the appearance of front teeth affected by minor chips or certain fractures.
- Stained or discolored teeth: Cover certain types of discoloration that do not respond adequately to professional whitening.
- Small gaps: Reduce the appearance of spaces between teeth by adjusting their visible proportions.
- Uneven teeth: Improve teeth that appear too short, narrow, irregularly shaped or disproportionate.
- Worn tooth edges: Restore the appearance of selected teeth affected by wear when sufficient healthy structure remains.
- Minor cosmetic misalignment: Create a straighter-looking appearance in certain cases without physically moving the teeth.
Veneers do not correct underlying bite problems or significant tooth misalignment. If your primary concern is crooked or crowded teeth, Invisalign clear aligners may be a more appropriate option.
Benefits of Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers can provide several cosmetic advantages for patients who want a more consistent, attractive smile.
- Natural-looking results: Porcelain can closely resemble the color and translucency of natural tooth enamel.
- Improved smile symmetry: Custom restorations help create more balanced tooth shapes and proportions.
- Multiple improvements: Veneers can address certain chips, stains, gaps and irregular tooth shapes together.
- Stain resistance: Porcelain generally resists surface staining better than natural enamel and composite resin.
- Personalized design: Each restoration is planned around your existing teeth, facial features and cosmetic preferences.
- Long-lasting appearance: With appropriate care, porcelain veneers can provide years of cosmetic improvement.
Conventional porcelain veneers typically require removing some natural tooth enamel, making treatment generally irreversible. Our dentists will explain this commitment and discuss more conservative alternatives when appropriate.
Are You a Good Candidate for Dental Veneers?
Veneers may be appropriate if you have healthy teeth and gums but want to improve the appearance of your smile.
Good candidates often have:
- Chipped, stained or uneven front teeth
- Small gaps or irregular tooth proportions
- Sufficient healthy enamel for bonding
- Healthy gums and no untreated dental decay
- A bite that can support the restorations
- Realistic expectations about results and maintenance
Patients with active gum disease, extensive tooth damage, significant bite problems or heavy teeth grinding may require additional treatment or a different restorative approach.
During your consultation, our dentists evaluate these factors and recommend options that preserve healthy tooth structure whenever possible.
What to Expect During the Dental Veneer Process
Creating natural-looking veneers begins with understanding your smile goals and carefully planning the final appearance.
1. Consultation and Smile Design
Your dentist examines your teeth, gums and bite while discussing the changes you would like to make.
We consider tooth color, proportions, alignment and how your smile complements your facial features.
Our practice uses digital smile design technology when appropriate to support treatment planning and communication about proposed improvements.
2. Tooth Preparation and Impressions
For conventional porcelain veneers, a small amount of enamel is typically removed to make room for the restorations.
The amount of preparation depends on your existing teeth and planned veneer design. Local anesthesia may be used for comfort.
Impressions are then taken to capture the shape and position of your teeth. Our practice uses digital impression technology when appropriate, helping communicate detailed restorative information to the dental laboratory.
Temporary veneers may be placed while your permanent restorations are fabricated.
3. Veneer Placement
When your veneers are ready, your dentist evaluates their fit, shade, shape and appearance.
The restorations are bonded to your teeth using dental adhesive materials. Your dentist checks your bite and makes necessary adjustments before completing treatment.
Our team also provides instructions for protecting your new smile.
Porcelain Veneers vs. Composite Veneers
Both materials can improve tooth appearance, but they have different advantages.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are custom restorations known for their natural appearance, durability and stain resistance. They generally involve laboratory fabrication and a greater initial investment.
Composite Veneers
Composite veneers use tooth-colored resin that may be applied directly to the teeth. They can be appropriate for certain smaller cosmetic changes and may require less enamel removal in some cases.
Composite resin is generally more susceptible to staining and wear than porcelain but may be easier to repair.
Our dentists will discuss which materials and treatment techniques are appropriate for your smile.
How Long Do Dental Veneers Last?
Porcelain veneers commonly last approximately 10 to 15 years, although some last longer with proper care. Composite veneers generally have a shorter expected service life.
Longevity depends on oral hygiene, bite forces, grinding habits and the condition of the underlying teeth.
To help protect your veneers:
- Brush twice daily and floss regularly.
- Maintain routine dental examinations and cleanings.
- Avoid chewing ice or biting hard objects.
- Do not use your teeth to open packages.
- Wear a nightguard if your dentist recommends one for grinding or clenching.
- Contact our office if a veneer chips, loosens or feels uncomfortable.
Veneers are durable but not permanent. They may eventually require repair or replacement.
How Much Do Dental Veneers Cost in Austin, TX?
The cost of veneers depends on the material selected, the number of teeth being treated and the complexity of your treatment plan.
Porcelain veneers generally cost more than direct composite restorations because of differences in materials, fabrication and treatment requirements.
Dental insurance often does not cover veneers when they are performed solely for cosmetic purposes. Coverage varies depending on your plan and the reason for treatment.
During your consultation, our team can explain your recommended treatment, associated costs and available alternatives before you make a decision.
Are Veneers Better Than Whitening or Invisalign?
The best cosmetic treatment depends on what you want to improve.
Professional teeth whitening may be a more conservative option if your primary concern is discoloration. Whitening changes the shade of natural teeth without altering their shape.
Invisalign clear aligners may be preferable if you want to correct crowding, gaps or bite alignment. Unlike veneers, Invisalign physically moves teeth into planned positions.
Dental veneers may be appropriate when you want to change tooth shape, proportions and color together.
In some cases, combining treatments provides a more appropriate result. For example, whitening or orthodontic treatment may be completed before veneers.
Explore our teeth whitening, Invisalign and cosmetic dentistry services.
Why Choose Our Austin Dentists for Dental Veneers?
Natural-looking veneers require an understanding of tooth structure, restorative materials, bite relationships and smile proportions.
At Modern Family Dentistry of Oak Hill, Dr. Benjamin Sharfae and Dr. Maggie Sharfae combine extensive cosmetic experience with personalized treatment planning.
Dr. Maggie Sharfae, DDS
Dr. Maggie Sharfae graduated from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Dental School in 1999 and completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency at the VA Medical Center in Indianapolis from 1999 to 2000.
She has practiced cosmetic and restorative dentistry since 1999, including crowns, bridges and comprehensive restorative treatment. She also taught clinical dentistry at Indiana University School of Dentistry for two years.
Dr. Benjamin Sharfae, DDS
Dr. Benjamin Sharfae graduated from Indiana University School of Dentistry in 2001 and has practiced cosmetic and restorative dentistry since that year.
His background includes crowns, bridges, implant restorations and full-mouth rehabilitation. He also taught preclinical and clinical dentistry at Indiana University School of Dentistry for two years.
Both dentists are members of the American Dental Association, Texas Dental Association and Capital Area Dental Society.
Our privately owned practice emphasizes continuity of care, thoughtful treatment planning and collaboration with experienced dental laboratories. We use digital smile design and digital impressions when appropriate to support personalized cosmetic treatment.
Dental Veneers in Oak Hill and Southwest Austin
Modern Family Dentistry of Oak Hill provides cosmetic dental care for patients in Austin, Oak Hill, Southwest Austin and surrounding communities.
Whether you want to improve one chipped tooth, explore porcelain veneers for your front teeth or plan a complete smile makeover, our dentists can help you understand your options.
Our approach focuses on natural-looking improvements that complement your smile while supporting long-term oral health.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Veneers
How much do porcelain veneers cost in Austin, TX?
The cost depends on the number of veneers, materials selected and complexity of treatment. Porcelain veneers generally cost more than direct composite options. Our team can explain your recommended treatment and associated costs during your consultation.
How long do porcelain veneers last?
Porcelain veneers commonly last 10 to 15 years, although some last longer. Longevity depends on oral hygiene, bite forces, grinding habits and the condition of the underlying teeth.
Do dental veneers look natural?
Porcelain veneers can closely resemble natural teeth. Our dentists consider tooth color, shape, proportions and surrounding teeth when planning restorations designed to complement your smile.
Do veneers damage your natural teeth?
Conventional porcelain veneers typically require removing a small amount of enamel, making the treatment generally irreversible. Our dentists evaluate your teeth and discuss more conservative alternatives when appropriate.
Is getting dental veneers painful?
Veneer treatment is generally well tolerated. Local anesthesia may be used during preparation, and some temporary sensitivity can occur afterward. Our team explains what to expect before treatment.
Can veneers fix crooked teeth or gaps?
Veneers can improve the appearance of certain mildly uneven teeth and small gaps, but they do not physically move teeth or correct underlying bite problems. Invisalign may be more appropriate for alignment concerns.
Can I whiten my teeth after getting veneers?
Whitening treatments do not change the color of veneers the way they affect natural teeth. If whitening is part of your treatment goals, it may be recommended before veneer placement so the final shades can be coordinated.
Where can I get dental veneers in Oak Hill, Austin?
Modern Family Dentistry of Oak Hill provides dental veneer consultations for patients in Oak Hill, Southwest Austin and surrounding communities. Dr. Maggie Sharfae and Dr. Benjamin Sharfae have practiced cosmetic dentistry since 1999 and 2001, respectively. Call our office to schedule a consultation.
Schedule Your Dental Veneer Consultation in Austin
You deserve a smile that reflects your confidence. Whether you want to improve chipped teeth, correct persistent discoloration or create a more balanced appearance, dental veneers may help you achieve your goals.
At Modern Family Dentistry of Oak Hill, Dr. Benjamin Sharfae and Dr. Maggie Sharfae provide personalized cosmetic care backed by decades of restorative experience and modern smile design technology.
Ready to explore your options? Call 512-301-9002 today to schedule your dental veneer consultation in Austin, Texas.