Rediscover the Beauty of Your Smile With
Porcelain Veneers
If you’re dreaming of a more confident, radiant smile, veneers may be the solution. At Dougherty Cosmetic Dentistry, we specialize in advanced cosmetic techniques that enhance your natural smile with as little alteration to your teeth as possible. If you want to experience the confidence that veneers provide, call our dental team today to schedule your appointment.
Rediscover the Beauty of Your Smile With Veneers
Porcelain veneers are one of the most effective solutions for teeth that are chipped, stained, crooked, or have gaps between them. These dental veneers are most commonly used to create smile makeovers and are a good option for patients who simply want a beautiful smile that is professional in appearance.
Veneers are individually sculpted for each patient to have the most accurate fit possible. Typically, it is impossible to tell the difference between a veneer and a natural tooth. Porcelain veneers are commonly used to recreate the natural look of teeth.
These thin pieces of porcelain are attached to the front of your teeth and provide strength and resilience comparable to natural tooth enamel.
What Are Veneers Used For?
Porcelain veneers can correct these common dental and cosmetic issues:
- Teeth that are too small or too short
- Crooked teeth
- Gaps and spaces
- Chipped or cracked teeth
- Permanently stained teeth
- Teeth that have worn down
The Difference of Prepless and Minimal Prep Veneers
We know about porcelain veneers but what is the difference? Prepless veneers are similar to porcelain veneers in the fact that they are shells bonded to the front of your teeth to improve their appearance but they are known to be ultra-thin, require less reshaping of the enamel, and achieve a more natural look.
They often require no enamel removal and if they do it is very slight shaping of the tooth surface typically less than 0.3mm. This approach maintains the integrity of your natural teeth while still providing beautiful, lasting results.
Benefits of Prepless and Minimal Prep Veneers
Choosing a more conservative veneer option offers a number of advantages such as:
- Preservation of Natural Tooth Structure: Little to no enamel removal means your teeth remain largely untouched underneath.
- No Need for Anesthesia: In most cases, these veneers can be placed without numbing.
- Reversible in Some Cases: Because there’s minimal change to your tooth structure, certain prepless veneer cases may be reversible.
- Natural Aesthetics: Modern materials closely mimic the translucency and luster of natural enamel and they can even make the darkest teeth appear bright.
- Durable and Long-Lasting: With proper care, your veneers can last 10 plus years.
- Stain-Resistant: Veneers resist coffee and tea stains, as well as cigarette smoke.
Come in for a Veneers Consultation Today!
Coming into our Garden Ridge dental practice for a consultation with our premier cosmetic dentist, Dr. Larry Dougherty, and asking about veneers is the first step in determining if veneers are right for you or if there are other solutions to be considered.
Dr. Dougherty begins with a smile analysis to determine the steps necessary to achieve your desired smile. If it is determined that porcelain veneers will create your desired look, that is only one step in the process.
Oftentimes, we utilize photography and mock-ups, where we place composites directly on your teeth to communicate ideas and make plans for the smile you are looking for. This allows you to see what your smile could look like before even starting the treatment.
If you want to take your smile for a test run, call our dental team today to schedule a consultation.
Real Patients, Real Results
Dougherty Cosmetic Dentistry – Before and After Images of Patients
Minimal Prep / No-Prep Veneers
“No-prep” or minimal preparation veneers don’t require the dentist to remove as much tooth material. Just like regular porcelain veneers, they are bonded to the front surface of your teeth. No-prep veneers can usually be done faster and with less discomfort than traditional veneers. You will be able to discuss with our dentist if minimal preparation or “no-prep” veneers could be a good option for you.
Who Is a Candidate for Prepless Veneers?
Oftentimes when you think of veneers, celebrities come to mind, however, prepless and minimal prep veneers can work for everyone. Typical candidates include patients who:
- Want to improve the appearance of small, slightly misshapen, or discolored teeth
- Have minor spacing or alignment issues
- Are looking to enhance their smile without committing to aggressive procedures
- Do not have severely worn or damaged enamel
During your consultation, we’ll evaluate your smile, bite, and goals to determine if prepless or minimal prep veneers are the right fit for you.
Our Approach to Smile Design
At Dougherty Cosmetic Dentistry, we believe great cosmetic dentistry is equal parts art and science. Your veneer process begins with a detailed smile assessment using digital imaging and advanced diagnostics. With tools like:
- iTero Scanning with Outcome Simulator: This lets you visualize your smile before we even begin treatment
- Tek Scan: Ensures functional harmony in your bite
- Digital Smile Design Techniques: Customizes every detail of your smile for balance, proportion, and personality
We collaborate closely with you to design veneers that complement your facial features, skin tone, and lip line—resulting in a smile that feels natural and truly your own.
Holistic and Airway-Informed Care
While cosmetics are our focus, your overall wellness is never overlooked. Our approach is airway-informed, meaning we consider how tooth positioning and jaw structure may impact your breathing and sleep. We also use biocompatible materials and minimally invasive methods that respect your body and preserve natural tissue whenever possible.
What to Expect During Treatment
This process takes place in-house for quick and accurate results. You can expect your veneer journey to include:
1. Consultation and Smile Evaluation:
We discuss your goals, assess your smile, and determine the right approach, prepless, minimal prep, porcelain, or a combination.
2. Impressions and Smile Design:
We take detailed scans and photographs to begin crafting your veneers.
3. Prep:
A very small amount of the original tooth enamel is removed, typically less than a millimeter, to create space for the porcelain veneer to fit within the mouth. This step can be skipped all together with no prep veneers.
4. Bonding:
A strong, solid bond is created between the original tooth and the porcelain veneer using adhesive resin and a special curing light that hardens the bond. This procedure results in restored natural tooth function and a better overall appearance.
5. Final Results:
Any necessary adjustments will be made at this time to ensure comfort and confidence in your smile.
Brighten Your Smile with Veneers
Regardless of the type of veneers you desire, you will experience comfort, stunning results, and the smile you have always wanted. To schedule your veneer appointment, please call Dougherty Cosmetic Dentistry in Garden Ridge, TX, at (210) 880-4120.