Cosmetic Dentistry in Austin

Your smile is often the first thing people notice. It’s part of your first impression and influences your confidence and self-esteem. At Balcones Family Dental, we understand that no two smiles are alike, so our cosmetic dentistry treatments are customized to fit your needs. We always create comprehensive dental treatment plans to help you achieve and maintain a smile that maximizes your health and appearance. All treatments we provide could be considered “cosmetic” in nature because we want them to look natural and beautiful every time. If you ever hide your smile, we encourage you to give our Austin dental office a call to schedule a cosmetic dentistry consultation!

Cosmetic Dentistry Treatments

Cosmetic dentistry incorporates a variety of techniques to improve your natural appearance. Sometimes, cosmetic treatments even incorporate restorative dentistry to improve oral health!

Tooth-Colored Dental Fillings

Tooth-colored, or composite fillings, are a blend of quartz or glass filler in a resin medium to create natural-looking restorations. Cured with a special light, shaped, and polished, they provide virtually undetectable and durable results. These fillings are more conservative, preserving more natural tooth structure for smaller, healthier restorations.

Porcelain Crowns

Dental crowns, often called “caps,” restore teeth after large fillings, fractures, or intense grinding. Beyond coverage, they offer added support, attaching bridges, covering implants, and protecting at-risk teeth. Crowns come in various materials; we prefer porcelain for its natural appearance, balancing effectiveness with aesthetic appeal. Learn More

Fixed Dental Bridges

Dental bridges fill gaps caused by missing teeth, anchored by adjacent teeth (abutment teeth) with crowns attaching to false teeth. Supported by either natural teeth with crowns or implant-supported crowns, fixed dental bridges restore functionality and aesthetics seamlessly.

Endodontics (Root Canal Therapy)

Inside each tooth, soft tissue with nerves and blood vessels runs from root to crown. Damage from cracks, deep cavities, or injuries can harm the nerve, allowing bacteria to cause infection. Root canal therapy removes diseased tissue and cleans and seals the canal. After treatment, a crown is placed over the reshaped tooth to strengthen and prevent further damage.

Dentures & Removable Partial Dentures

We offer various options for denture wearers. Immediate dentures are inserted right after teeth removal, while conventional dentures are placed after 6-8 weeks of healing. Overdentures, another option, provide extra stability by fitting over natural teeth or dental implants, and removable partial dentures replace missing teeth around existing natural teeth. Learn More

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are thin, custom-made casings applied to the front of your teeth. They are customizable and change the shape, color, or appearance of your teeth. Although an irreversible treatment, veneers provide a permanent enhancement to your smile’s look and feel. Learn More

Snap-On Smile^®

Snap-On Smile^® is an inexpensive alternative to permanent cosmetic dental treatments, such as porcelain veneers. Snap-On Smile’s tagline is “A Patented Multi-Purpose Restorative Appliance™,” and its patent was given in recognition of its benefit of attaching to teeth – literally snapping on – without the need for drilling or adhesives or any invasive preparation or procedures at all. Learn More

smiling woman in glasses with white teeth

Professional Teeth Whitening Options

In-Office Whitening

ZOOM!^® is a one-visit, usually one-hour teeth whitening system that is great for busy patients! A high-intensity light, sometimes referred to as a laser whitening light, is used to enhance the effectiveness of the bleach. Before the whitening, a rubber shield or a special gel is applied to protect the gums. Desensitizers can be applied, as well, to minimize tooth sensitivity. We think you will be impressed by the results that can be achieved by ZOOM! in only an hour!

Take-Home Tray Whitening

Take-home teeth whitening trays are custom-made to fit your mouth and enable you to whiten your teeth in the convenience of your own home. The whitening gel given is made from a lower concentration of peroxide, which allows it to remain safely on your teeth longer (sometimes overnight). Take-home tray whitening can achieve the same stain-free look as ZOOM! whitening, it just takes a little longer. Learn More

Invisalign^® Clear Aligners

If you are dissatisfied with the position of your teeth but do not want to spend years wearing conventional metal braces, consider Invisalign®—the clear alternative to metal braces. With a series of clear aligners that are switched out approximately every two weeks, Invisalign repositions teeth step by step. The biocompatible thermoplastic aligners are comfortable for the sensitive tissues of your gums and cheeks, and patients appreciate the ability to remove them when eating, brushing, and flossing. Learn More

Cosmetic Dentistry FAQs

Is cosmetic dentistry covered by insurance?

Most dental insurance plans do not cover medically unnecessary elective procedures, so they rarely offer coverage for cosmetic treatments unless they are used to repair teeth that have been damaged by infection or injury. For example, a porcelain veneer or crown may be used to restore a severely chipped or decayed tooth. If your policy offers orthodontic coverage, it may pay for part of Invisalign treatment, but this may be limited to dependents listed on your plan. In cases like these, dental insurance may pay for 50% to 80% of the cost of treatment, but this can vary considerably from policy to policy. When the team at Balcones Family Dental sees you for your consultation, we’ll be happy to help you navigate your policy so you can know what it will pay for.

How do I know if I need cosmetic dentistry?

Virtually everyone who isn’t completely happy with their smile can benefit from cosmetic dental work. The team at Balcones Family Dental can address stubborn stains and discoloration that do not respond to conventional oral hygiene methods using professional-grade teeth whitening treatments, and we can help your smile look younger by concealing signs of age like chips, cracks, and discoloration. In some cases, restoring damaged teeth with porcelain crowns or veneers can be an excellent way to protect them from further infection and injury. However, the only way to learn about the best ways to beautify your smile is to schedule a consultation at our Austin office so one of our skilled dentists can determine the ideal treatments to achieve your goals.

What causes the discoloration of a tooth?

Dental discoloration can be caused by factors like:

Chemical exposure: Many popular foods and beverages are dense with pigments, tannins, and dyes that can lead to discoloration. A few common culprits include coffee, tea, red wine, juice, cola, berries, candy, and dark sauces.
Tobacco: Smoking, chewing, dipping, and vaping can leave yellowish stains as well as unsightly brownish buildups on your teeth.
Age: The whitish enamel layer of teeth tends to get thinner due to the accumulating wear and tear of age, so the smiles of older people are sometimes yellower.
Injury: A severely damaged tooth may darken, and this can happen months or years after the injury occurs.
Antibiotics: Exposure to certain antibacterial drugs such as tetracycline during childhood can lead to permanent dental discoloration.

In any case, one of the friendly dentists at Balcones Family Dental will be happy to help you understand the best way to achieve a bright and beautiful new smile.