Have you ever looked in the mirror and wished your smile was a little brighter, more even, or more youthful? At Joshua Austin, DDS & Associates in San Antonio, TX, we understand how much your smile affects your confidence—and we’re here to help you feel great about it. One of the most powerful ways we can transform your smile is with dental veneers.

Thanks to modern digital technology and our personalized approach, you can now “test drive” your new smile before treatment even begins. Here’s everything you need to know about veneers—and how we use them to help you look and feel your best.

What Are Dental Veneers?

Dental veneers are thin, custom-made shells—usually made from porcelain—that are bonded to the front surfaces of your teeth. They’re designed to improve the appearance of your smile by correcting common issues like:

• Discolored or stained teeth
  
• Chipped or cracked enamel
  
• Gaps between teeth
  
• Uneven or worn teeth
  
• Misshapen or misaligned teeth
  

Veneers offer a long-lasting solution with natural-looking results. The transformation is often dramatic, and the best part? No one will know you’ve had cosmetic work—they’ll just notice how radiant your smile looks.

Preview Your New Smile with Digital Design

We believe that making a change to your smile should feel exciting—not stressful. That’s why we use advanced digital simulation software to show you a preview of your potential results before treatment even begins.

This tool allows us to create multiple smile simulations so you can compare what it might look like with four, six, eight, or even ten veneers. Want to know how your smile would look with a full set of 28 veneers? We can show you that, too. It’s like taking your future smile for a test drive—and we think everyone should have that opportunity before making such a meaningful decision.

Am I a Good Candidate for Veneers?

Most patients who want to improve the appearance of their smile are good candidates for veneers. At our San Antonio practice, we look at several key factors to determine if veneers are right for you:

• Cosmetic concerns: If there are things you’d like to change—such as color, shape, size, or alignment—veneers may be a great solution.
  
• Healthy bite alignment: We check to make sure your front teeth don’t have excessive wear or heavy contact that could affect the longevity of your veneers.
  
• Healthy gums: We want to ensure your gumline is in good shape to frame your veneers beautifully.
  

If veneers aren’t the right fit, don’t worry—we’ll help you explore other options like whitening, bonding, or Invisalign®.

How We Personalize Your Treatment Plan

No two smiles are the same, and we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all cosmetic dentistry. At Joshua Austin, DDS & Associates, your veneer treatment starts with an in-depth consultation. We’ll talk about your goals, take a close look at your smile, and use advanced imaging tools to begin planning your custom transformation.

Here's what that process looks like:

1. 3D Intraoral Scan: We use our iTero scanner to get incredibly detailed images of your teeth and bite.
   
2. Photography Session: We take high-quality portraits, smile photos, and close-ups of your teeth.
   
3. Collaborative Design: Dr. Austin partners with an expert ceramist to create a custom smile design using digital software. You get to review and approve the look before we move forward.
   

The Veneer Process: Step-by-Step

Getting veneers typically involves three appointments over the course of about a month. Here’s what you can expect:

Appointment 1: Digital Planning & Smile Design

We gather your scans and photos, then send everything to our lab technician, where the design magic begins. You’ll get to review a digital simulation of your new smile before we proceed.

Appointment 2: Tooth Preparation & Temporaries

We prepare your teeth by gently reshaping them, then place beautifully crafted temporary veneers so you can start enjoying your new look right away. This appointment takes about 3–4 hours.

Appointment 3: Final Veneer Placement

Once your final porcelain veneers are ready (typically within two weeks), we remove the temporaries and bond the permanent veneers in place. You’ll leave with a fully transformed smile that looks natural, youthful, and confident.

Smile Tech That Makes a Difference

We use advanced technology throughout the process to ensure your veneers not only look great but function beautifully too:

• iTero Scanner: For precise, goop-free digital impressions
  
• T-Scan®: To fine-tune your bite so your veneers feel as good as they look
  
• Digital Smile Design Software: For previewing results and collaborating with our expert lab technician
  

Sometimes, we may recommend Invisalign before veneers to improve alignment and create a better long-term outcome. In most cases, though, we can proceed directly with veneers.

Real Results: Katie’s Smile Story

One of our favorite cases was a patient named Katie. She had thinning, yellowing enamel that made her feel self-conscious. With carefully designed porcelain veneers, we gave her a brighter, more youthful smile that instantly lit up her face.

This was one of our most challenging cases due to the degree of enamel erosion, but the final result was stunning—and the transformation took years off her appearance. Seeing how much more confident Katie felt was a powerful reminder of why we love doing this work.

Veneer Maintenance: Keep Your Smile Looking Beautiful

Veneers are surprisingly easy to care for. If you keep up with good oral hygiene and regular dental visits, they can last 15–20 years or longer.

Here’s how to keep your veneers looking and functioning their best:

• Brush twice daily for at least 2 minutes
  
• Floss once a day or use a Waterpik
  
• Schedule regular cleanings with your dental hygienist
  
• Avoid using your veneers to open packages or bite hard objects
  

With the right care, veneers offer long-lasting, beautiful results that help you look and feel like the best version of yourself.

Ready to See Your New Smile in San Antonio, TX?

If you’ve been thinking about veneers, there’s no better time to explore your options. At Joshua Austin, DDS & Associates, we’re passionate about creating custom smiles that look amazing and feel even better. From digital previews to expert craftsmanship, we’re with you every step of the way.

Call us today at (210) 408-7999 in San Antonio, TX to schedule your consultation and preview the smile you’ve always wanted—before you commit to treatment.