Cosmetic Dentist in Austin

Q: What was the inspiration for you regarding your choice to pursue cosmetic dentistry as a specialization?
Cosmetic dentistry wasn’t even in existence as a “specialty area” in 1979 when I graduated. But I saw a need as my practice grew, and I wanted to help those people who had always hated or been embarrassed by their smiles. I started placing the whitest filling material we had at the time over their dark teeth, and learned to sculpt it to make it look “real.” As technology improved, I sought out the best teachers in the field, and learned from them.

Q: What is your favorite thing about being a dentist?
Well, nobody has ever hugged me over a root canal, even if they were up all night in pain the night before. But if you give someone a beautiful smile, their life can be changed forever. As a result, I’ve been the recipient of lots of hugs, flowers, cookies, and have made many long-lasting friendships. I LOVE helping people look and feel better about themselves!

Q: Are there any particular moments in being a dentist that stand out for you?
The day I completed a smile makeover on my mother (she was in her 70s at the time, she’s 94 now) stands out as a pretty special day. She had never had pretty teeth and when she saw the new, white veneers, she got tears in her eyes. Maybe I did, too…

Q: As a known innovator and pioneer in the field of dentistry and cosmetic dentistry, how do you stay ahead of the curve?
I had NO idea dentistry was going to become what it has! The technology, the digital revolution, the advances in material—all are very exciting to me. I love new technology, and many salespeople representing new dental technologies know that I am an “early adopter,” so they figure if they sell a new technology to me, then they can go tell all the other dentists in town “Sweeney bought one” (laughing). I take a LOT of CE classes every year, on a variety of subjects, to stay in tune with what the new trends are, and determine what will make things better, faster and more comfortable for my patients. I was the first dentist in Austin with digital X-rays (16th in the country), and one of the first to have a CEREC^® machine that makes crowns in a single appointment. I also was early into lasers in dentistry.

Q: Why Austin Dental “Spa”?
I kind of fell into that—I had an opportunity to help a friend by hiring his German wife so that she could get a Green Card, back in 1999, and she was a licensed massage therapist. We just had her start massaging hands and feet while we performed the dentistry, and it just felt right. As a result, we expanded the concept. Now I can’t imagine doing dentistry without that component. People LOVE being pampered in a way that they haven’t experienced before.

Q: You are known to bring humor into your business. Why is that important?
I was always the Class Clown, making people laugh. I did stand-up comedy for several years in the 90s, and I still perform for dental groups a few times a year. I love to entertain people. It comes in handy chairside at times, since dentistry can be stressful (if you’re the patient!).

Q: What are your hobbies?
I love sports. I played basketball through my first year of college. I used to do long-distance bicycling for many years until the traffic got so bad in Austin. I played racquetball and squash at a tournament level, then switched to tennis when I started dating a woman back in the 90s, and I didn’t like that she could beat me easily. So I started taking lessons, and after about 6 months, beat her for the first time. That pretty much ended that relationship; however, I fell in love with the game, and it’s still a passion today.

Q: Favorite place you have traveled? Favorite city? Why?
I LOVE New Orleans! The food, the culture, the energy, the history. I also love vacationing and touring the wine country in Napa Valley.

Q: Motto for life?
He who works the hardest goes the farthest. I was taught a strong work ethic, and I apply that to everything I do. If I’m going to do something, I want to do it well.

Q: What are you the most proud of in your life?
I have three sons who are smart, handsome, and play tennis. I have two older children from my first marriage who are not tennis players, but I am very proud to be their father as well.

My daughter graduated from the University of Houston while working full-time, raising a stepdaughter, and taking classes at night. My daughter also earned an MBA from LSU (during the COVID shutdown!) and now runs the Cardiology department for Methodist Hospital – Bayshore. She inherited my work ethic and drive.

I am also very proud of the dental practice I have spent my adult life building—we help thousands of people have a better life through healthier mouths and more beautiful smiles! It beats working for a living!! Changing lives for the better is incredibly rewarding.