Dental Veneers: You Get What You Pay For

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Originally developed for Hollywood starlets, dental veneers have become one of the most popular ways to restore damaged or discolored teeth. However, with veneers costs ranging in the thousands of dollars, many people try to cut costs by ordering veneers online, or traveling out of the country to receive cheap dental work. In today’s post, our Apex dentist explains why cheap veneers can have very negative consequences for your smile, and why you should only receive veneers from an experienced, licensed dentist.

Risk 1: Too Much Enamel is Removed   

To apply veneers, the tooth’s enamel must be filed down, much in the same way fingernails need to be buffed before artificial nails can be applied. Inexperienced or unlicensed dentists might grind away too much enamel, preventing the veneers from fully adhering and causing them to eventually fall off. In addition, having over-filed enamel will make biting and chewing very uncomfortable, if not downright painful.

Risk 2: Not Enough Enamel is Removed

Problems can also arise when the dentist doesn’t grind away enough enamel. Since veneers are about as thick as a plastic credit card, they easily can make the teeth look and feel too bulky. Too much thickness can also impede your speech, making it difficult to pronounce words with certain syllables. Finally, if the veneers are extended too far past the natural teeth, they will crack very easily.

Risk 3: The Color Does Not Match 

High-quality veneers should be slightly translucent, so that they reflect light just like natural teeth. Making veneers the right color and opacity actually requires some artistry on the part of the laboratory that mixes the porcelain, and can’t be easily accomplished by unlicensed technicians. Overly-white, opaque veneers can look extremely fake and garish. 

Veneers Are Not Reversible

The most important thing to know about veneers is that once they have adhered, they cannot be easily replaced. Since they adhere to your ground-down tooth enamel, every new veneer placement takes more enamel and threatens to cause you more sensitivity. Most veneers will need to be redone every 10 or 20 years as they crack or weaken, but redoing them immediately after placement is very risky. 

Get Quality Veneers from Our Apex Dental Boutique!

Veneers are an extremely popular treatment which can help restore your teeth to their natural size, shape, and color—as long as they are created by a licensed professional! If you want your veneers to be matched to the exact color of your teeth, adhere correctly, and last the next few decades without any issues, visit our Apex cosmetic dentist office. To schedule an appointment with us, click here!

Our Apex NC Cosmetic Dentist Shares 6 Benefits of Dental Veneers

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If you want to improve the way that your smile looks, then you should talk to our cosmetic dentist about getting veneers. A veneer is a thin, small shell that is placed over your tooth. There are several benefits that you can reap from getting veneers.

6. Look Natural

One of the reasons that our general dentist in Apex may recommend veneers is because they look natural. The color and contour of the veneers will match your natural teeth. That is why no one will be able to tell that you are wearing veneers.

5. Simple Process

The dental veneers process is simple. Our dentist will have to drill away a small amount of enamel. After that, they will take an impression and send it to the lab. They will then place your veneers.

4. Solve Several Cosmetic Issues

There are many issues that can be corrected with dental veneers. This includes things such as stained teeth, misshapen teeth and gaps. They can also correct slightly crooked teeth.

3. Long Lasting Solution

Another reason that our general dentist in Apex may recommend veneers is because they last a long time. If you take the proper care of them, then they can potentially last for 10 years or longer. However, there are a few things that you can do in order to make them last longer.

You will have to make sure that you brush and floss on a regular basis. You will also need to avoid biting on hard foods because that can damage your veneers.

2. Easy to Maintain

Our cosmetic dentist can tell you how to take care of your veneers. However, you do not have to do anything special to care for them. In addition to caring or them at home, you will need to see a dentist on a regular basis.

1. Less Invasive

If you get a crown, then a dentist will have to remove a large portion of the tooth. Our cosmetic dentist will only remove a small part of your enamel to place the veneers. It is a minimally invasive procedure.

Request an appointment with our local cosmetic dentist today and get your confident smile back!

Enjoy a White Christmas with Our Teeth Whitening Solutions!

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Teeth Whitening Brings Smiles to the Holidays

This holiday season, treat yourself to something that will give you fresh confidence for the new year—tooth whitening services! Hansen Dentistry’s in-office whitening services work faster and last longer than over-the-counter options. If professional tooth whitening just isn’t in your budget, here are some other ways to keep your smile merry and bright this season.

Cut back on teeth-staining foods

Cutting back on stain-inducing foods like wine, coffee, cherries, and tomatoes will help keep your smile whiter, longer. Curry, balsamic vinegar, soda, and sports drinks are also common culprits of teeth staining, as their acidity can erode enamel and cause discoloration. If you can’t imagine cutting out coffee and wine forever, you might try to limit them to weekends-only or, if you don’t mind public ridicule, drink them through the straw.

Use at-home bleaching trays

Although professional whitening provides the best results, it can be pretty expensive. One less-effective, but more affordable option are at-home bleaching trays. Our Apex NC dentist can create custom-fitted bleaching trays which will gradually whiten your teeth over the course of 10 days. The bleach solution we use is weaker than in-office whitening gel, but is still stronger than over-the-counter whitening kits.

What about whitening strips?

Many popular toothpaste brands offer tooth whitening strips, which usually cost around $20 a box. This may seem like a great deal, but remember that when it comes to whitening, the cheapest solution is also usually the least effective. Whitening strips generally only make a noticeable difference in individuals who already have very light teeth. Professional whitening treatments use higher levels of peroxide than over-the-counter products, meaning results will be more dramatic and long-lasting.

Schedule Professional Tooth Whitening in Apex

Since our Apex dentists are able to monitor treatment in-office and adjust it to your needs, we are able to administer much stronger bleaching ages than those that patients can take home. That’s why professional tooth whitening is your best bet for a radiant smile that lasts for up to three years! 

If you’d like to request a tooth whitening appointment in our Apex dentist office, click here to fill out our easy contact form. From all of us at Hansen Dentistry, have a merry Christmas and a happy new year!

Lose the Yellow Teeth! Get New Dental Veneers with Our Apex Cosmetic Dentist

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Over time our teeth do get yellow and many of us do not know why this is happening. However one thing we know is, we want to get rid of that yellow color and get the white back! Our Apex NC cosmetic dentist fortunately can help with that as we are a leader for new dental veneers in Apex.

The first thing we need to do is to explore why our teeth get yellow. Below the enamel is a dark color dentin. As the enamel wears thinner over time, this darker dentin is more exposed giving you that off white color. We have all heard that once the enamel is gone it is gone. You can’t get it back. There are no other procedures to hide the darker dentin which has not come through. The other problem is the foods that we eat can contribute to this. The foods that we eat can also stain the enamel, making it a yellow color. For this process the enamel does not even have to wear thin, as the foods stain the actual enamel.

Our cosmetic dentist can give you a whiter smile that you have always wanted. We provide the best dentist for veneers in Apex, which can make your teeth white again. This procedure of veneers can make your teeth white again, even if you have stains on your enamel that cannot be removed. The dental veneers can also work if your enamel is gone and the darker dentin has started to show through. Whichever your situation is veneers can give you a whiter smile.

The process of getting veneers is a simple one and is offered by our Apex NC cosmetic dentist. The veneer is a thin tooth like material that is placed on the outside of your front teeth and works as a shell. These dental veneers will also protect your teeth from further stains. A mold is done, which serves as a foundation for the veneers. The veneers are then made and placed on your teeth. It is a very simple procedure and there is no pain involved.

Getting veneers is a long term solution if your teeth are corroded or stained. A whiter smile can give you the confidence that you did not have before with your current teeth. Veneers provide a long term solution and can give you a whiter smile for years to come.

Apex Dentist Recommends NOT Using Activated Charcoal Toothpaste

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The last time you were browsing Pinterest or Instagram, you might have seen an ad for one of the hippest new health trends: Activated charcoal toothpaste. Made from coal, wood, and other substances, activated charcoal has started popping up as a miracle cure in everything from soap to lotion. But this stuff should never come into contact with your teeth—and here’s why from Dr. Hansen, our Apex NC dentist.

What is activated charcoal?

Activated charcoal is made primarily from coal and wood, but can also contain other burned things, like coconut shells and bones. It becomes “activated” when high temperatures combine with a gas or activating agent to expand its surface area. Traditionally, charcoal has been used to treat poisoning and drug overdoses, as far back as ancient times. When a person ingests activated charcoal, drugs and toxins bind to it, keeping them from being absorbed into the bloodstream. Many people believe that it absorbs other “toxins”, too. 

Why shouldn’t charcoal be used on teeth?

There has been very little evidence of charcoal toothpaste’s safety and effectiveness. In September 2017, the American Dental Association (ADA) published a peer-reviewed scientific literature review stating that researchers found little evidence that charcoal reduces bacteria, prevents cavities, or even reduces tooth stains. Researchers even pointed out some possible carcinogenic ingredients in charcoal and in clay that are found in some of these toothpastes that could be damaging to human health.

What we do know about charcoal toothpaste

While more research might contradict previous studies’ findings, there is something we do know about activated charcoal: it’s extremely abrasive on teeth. That means it can easily damage your enamel, exposing the sensitive dentin beneath. Since dentin is naturally yellow, this means that charcoal toothpaste won’t make your teeth appear white; on the contrary, it will make them look more stained. And once your enamel isn’t protecting your teeth anymore, your cosmetic appearance will be the least of your problems—anything hot, cold, hard, or acidic will be extremely painful! 

Get the best solution for teeth whitening with our Apex cosmetic dentist

If you want to have whiter teeth, the most effective, safe and long-lasting whitening method is using custom whitening trays made by a dentist, or some other professional whitening method. If you use charcoal toothpaste, you might as well brush your teeth with sand—so be sure to book an appointment with our Apex dentist today.

Same Day Crowns in Apex: Long-Lasting Results Without the Wait!

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Same Day CrownsDental crowns offer natural-looking restoration results for teeth that have been damaged from trauma or infection. Until recently, receiving a custom-made, permanent crown could take weeks; now, Dr. Hansen offers same day crowns in Apex, NC, thanks to advanced dental technology called CEREC. Learn more about this innovative approach to dental crowns below.

If you’re ready for dental crown treatment without the wait, contact us at (919) 363-8444. Dr. Hansen can provide a consultation to see if same day crowns will help improve the health and vitality of your smile.

What is CEREC?

CEREC stands for “Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics.” It’s a long term, but conveys a simple idea: CEREC allows Dr. Hansen to create and place a custom-made dental crown in one day. Previously, custom dental crown fabrication meant sending impressions off to a dental lab for a dental ceramicist to create the restoration. However, our practice’s state-of-the-art machinery uses 3D images obtained from your mouth to create a replica of your natural tooth. Dr. Hansen can make any small adjustments once the crown is placed to ensure that your bite is comfortable.

What are the benefits?

CEREC has so many benefits; for our busy patients, less time at the dentist’s office is the best advantage. However, CEREC also:

  • Allows for same-day restoration of your smile: A healthy, restored smile now doesn’t have to mean long treatment times. Whether Dr. Hansen is protecting a vulnerable cracked or chipped tooth, or is finishing a root canal procedure, you can have your final, permanent smile completed in just one day.
  • Uses the same, high-quality materials: CEREC crowns are made from the same materials as those of many traditional dental crowns. CEREC just allows Dr. Hansen to bring the technology of dental labs into his Apex, NC practice to save you time.
  • Provides a comfortable design process: Uncomfortable dental impressions are unnecessary for fabricating a CEREC crown. Dr. Hansen utilizes a 3D imaging device to provide accurate measurements.
  • Eliminates the need for temporary crowns: Since there is no waiting period while the permanent crown is fabricated in a dental lab, patients don’t have to spend 2 to 3 weeks wearing a temporary crown. Temporary crowns are usually made from composite resin and are not only less durable than a permanent crown, but are less protective, too. With CEREC, your tooth is better protected through a permanent crown than it would be with a temporary one.

Are the results really permanent?

Fast results don’t have to mean low-quality. Dr. Hansen and our team know that you have a busy schedule, so we offer time-saving solutions for dental services. However, we never skimp on the quality and safety of the procedures. CEREC crowns are fabricated from the same safe and effective materials used at more traditional dental labs. You can also expect CEREC crowns to last the same length of time as a traditional crown.

How can I receive a CEREC crown?

Scheduling a consultation with Dr. Hansen is the best way to figure out whether a CEREC crown will work for you! Dr. Hansen can go over additional treatment options, and discuss your expectations to make sure you are fully satisfied with the results. Contact our Apex, NC practice at (919) 363-8444.

The Need to Know Detail About Cosmetic Dentistry

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What is a cosmetic dentist?

A cosmetic dentist is one who improves the appearance of a smile. There are a number of ways to do this, ranging from simple bleaching to minor surgery. Many cosmetic dentistry techniques can certainly be performed at a local dentist office. The amount of time, discomfort, and expense involved depends upon the procedure.

Cosmetic surgery can be broken down into two types. The first type improves upon the natural appearance of the smile by changing the color or shape of the teeth. The second type improves the overall appearance of the smile by improving tooth and bite health. This may or may not affect the color or shape of the teeth.

Examples of the first type of cosmetic dentistry include:

  • whitening
  • bonding
  • veneers
  • crowns

Whitening

Teeth whitening is the simplest and least expensive of all the cosmetic procedures. It offers no oral health benefits. Whitening can be done at home, but a professional visit offers more rapid and uniform results. The whitening application has to be repeated in order to maintain a whiter smile. The frequency of this procedure depends on the patient’s tooth care habits and lifestyle.

Bonding

Dental bonding involves the application of a resin to teeth to fill gaps, cracks, and pits and give the smile a more uniform appearance. Bonding has the added benefit of preventing wear of teeth and exposing their roots. Bonding resin generally has to be reapplied every several years.

Veneers

Dental veneers are custom made plastic or porcelain shells that can change a tooth’s shape or color. This type of cosmetic dentistry generally requires a couple of visits. Depending on the material used and the habits of the patient, veneers can last anywhere from one to several decades.

Crowns

Dental crowns are used for everything from altering the color or shape of a tooth to protecting a broken one to connecting dental work. Materials used in making crowns range from porcelain to metal. Crown work generally takes several visits and is among the most expensive of cosmetic dental procedures.

Cosmetic surgery that improves bite health includes:

  • braces
  • bridges
  • implants

Using wiring and brackets, braces are used to reposition and realign teeth. They may remain on teeth anywhere from several months to several years. Bridges are artificial teeth. They are affixed to prepared teeth and are worn with a crown or crowns. Only a dentist can remove a bridge. Implants are also artificial teeth, but they can be affixed to dentures and removed. Both of these procedures are not inexpensive and require more than one visit to the dentist. But if bridges and implants are cared for properly, they can last a long time.

Other cosmetic dentistry procedures include correcting uneven gum lines and abnormally sized teeth, and fixing indentations to the jawbone. Because of all the options afforded with cosmetic surgery, individuals are advised to contact their local dentist office for information and help in perfecting and protecting their smile.

Is the Teeth Whitening Process Safe for Me and My Family?

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One question that you may have for your cosmetic dentist in Apex is whether or not teeth whitening is safe for you and your family members. You may be wondering if the components that the dentist uses for teeth whitening solutions are harmful. It is normal for a person to be concerned about a procedure that involves chemicals. However, you can rest assured that you will be able to undergo the whitening process and still have your health intact.

Why You May Want teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is a very common procedure in the dental world. Millions of people have their teeth whitened, including celebrities. The procedure has a multitude of benefits to it such as the ability to boost self-confidence and encourage smiles of joy. The reason for teeth whitening varies, but one of the most common reasons is to eliminate tea, coffee and nicotine stains. The chemicals that the dentist uses for a teeth whitening procedure vary depending on the patient’s desire. The practitioner covers the options during the consultation.

Examples of Teeth Whitening Solutions
Your dentist can offer you at least two types of solutions. The at-home treatment is the less expensive solution. This solution includes a tray that the lab makes for you. You wear the tray over your teeth for a certain amount of time each night, and the peroxide mixture bleaches the teeth. The in-office treatment is a longer lasting procedure, but it also costs way more money than the other procedure costs. The dentist is likely to use a chemical that contains varies elements for the in-office procedure. The bleaching products that the dentist uses for either method most likely has the ADA seal of approval, which means that they are safe for you to use. Many of these concoctions contain only 10 percent carbon peroxide. Perhaps the harshest reaction you may have to the bleaching agents is tooth sensitivity or mouth irritation.

Feel free to schedule an appointment with our dentist and have a consultation about the teeth whitening procedures that interest you. Our office has been serving local residents for many years. We would love to help to meet your needs. Call on the phone or complete an online request.

Our Apex Dentist Explains the Cons of Online Tooth Alignment Services

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In today’s day and age, you can order almost anything online, from makeup samples and razors to eyeglasses and dog treats. And while retailers haven’t yet discovered a way to ship a dental cleaning right to your door, it is possible to straighten your teeth remotely with brands like SmileDirectClub. But is the convenience and low cost of online aligners worth the risks? Our Apex dentist weighs in below.

What is SmileDirectClub?

SmileDirectClub was introduced in 2014 as an alternative to traditional orthodontic treatment options. Essentially, it is a mail-order system that ships clear aligners directly to patients each month, allowing them to straighten their teeth without in-person visits with a dentist or orthodontist. The brand’s dentists conduct progress checks remotely, by examining “selfie” photos. These “shortcuts” make the entire process cost much less, merely a fraction of traditional straightening methods like braces or Invisalign.

Disadvantages of Online Tooth Aligners

Despite the benefits, many dental and orthodontic professionals are warning against mail-order orthodontic systems as more and more patients come in with poor results from spending months in the aligners. Below are some things to know before you fill out the application for one of these services.

  • Communication is infrequent and impersonal.Remote tele-dentistry assigns you a dentist or orthodontist who checks on your progress every 90 days through your customer account. You are placing your trust entirely in the company to vet your dentist for their skill and experience.
  • Lack of hands-on approach means details can be overlooked. The reason these services can be priced so cheaply is because the dentist is doing less work. But that is really not a good thing when it comes to your teeth. Details like your teeth’s surface texture, your bite pressure, and even your breath can indicate to your dentist that something is wrong—it is much more complex than simply looking at a photo.
  • Errors can occur in the initial impression.If you can’t come to a “Smile Direct Shop” and get a 3D scan in person, you will have to take an impression of your teeth on your own. At a dentist’s office, only a licensed, experienced professional performs this task, resulting in more accurate impressions. If you make a mistake with your impressions, your aligners will not accurately straighten your teeth.
  • They don’t have your records.Smile Direct doesn’t know your dental history, while your dentist knows your medical history and takes that into account while planning your treatment.

Bottom Line: For the Best Results, Visit Our Apex Dentist Today!

Most dentists agree that online alignment services such as SmileDirectClub are simply not worth the risk. Although getting Invisalign or braces at a local dentist office may cost more and take longer, they are that way because you are receiving accurate, thorough, personalized care. Your dentist can take your entire dental history into account; take accurate impressions; track your progress, and alter the course of your treatment if deemed necessary. There are a lot of smart ways to save money in this day and age, but in our opinion, mail-order dental work is not one of them! To schedule an appointment with our Apex dentist office, please click here.

Our Apex Dentist Explains How Hollywood Invented Veneers

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Dental veneers are thin porcelain “shields” placed over the teeth to correct discoloration, chips, and other surface imperfections that don’t require a full restoration. Although today’s veneers help people from all walks of life achieve a straighter, more attractive smile, they were originally designed for Hollywood starlets, in an era where beautiful smiles were hard to come by. Learn more about veneers’ unusual history in today’s Apex cosmetic dentist blog.

Industrialization and Tooth Decay  

In the silent movie era, all a star really needed to make it big was facial beauty–vocal quality and line delivery were unnecessary. Unfortunately, in the 1910s and 1920s, the Western world was at a bit of a low point in terms of oral health. This is primarily because during these decades, refined sugar leapt from being an expensive delicacy to being an affordable household staple. And instead of living off on an agricultural diet of vegetables, meats, and dairy products, the new industrial workforce gravitated to starchy items that could be quickly shoved in a pocket or eaten in-between shifts (i.e. cookies, biscuits, and sandwiches).

Our oral health habits, unfortunately, were slow to catch up to this new carb-laden, sugary diet. The concept of regular, twice-daily tooth brushing and flossing would not really take hold until the World War II era. It’s estimated that two to three times as many people lost their teeth during this era as do today–possibly why no costume of a 1920s hobo is complete without a few blacked-out teeth.

Without the need for on-screen talking, most actors could get away with having less-than-glamorous-smiles. But things changed with the advent of the “Talkies” in 1928. Many silent movie stars that had formally shone bright could no longer pass the muster, and a new solution was needed.

The Invention of Movie Cosmetics – and Veneers

Enter Maksymilian Faktorowicz, a Polish businessman, beautician, and entrepreneur. You may recognize the shortened version of his name, Max Factor, which is now a major international cosmetic brand. But in 1909, Mr. Factor had just moved to Los Angeles to provide wigs and makeup to film industry stars. Greasepaint, which had been used in the theatre for centuries, was too thick and harshly-colored for the new film medium, so Factor began experimenting with various compounds in an effort to develop a suitable substitute. By 1914, he had perfected the first cosmetic cream specifically created for motion-pictures. Unlike theatrical cosmetics, it would not crack or cake as actors moved about the set. Factor’s “flexible greasepaint” made him an overnight sensation, and a much-sought-after authority on movie cosmetics. He personally applied his products to the likes of Jean Harlow, Bette Davis, Judy Garland, Clara Bow, and Mae West.

Factor had become the industry’s go-to hair and makeup expert, so naturally, producers needing to fix the teeth problem came to him, too. Factor then asked dentist Charles L. Pincus to correct what his makeup couldn’t. Pincus created thin, prosthetic dental “fronts” that could be temporarily adhered to the teeth using denture powder. These first porcelain veneers were very fragile, and were lucky to last for a single movie shoot (by contrast, modern porcelain used in dental restorations can lasts for 10 or even 25 years, depending on care and maintenance).

A Long Journey to Success

After that, it took many cosmetic dentists many years to move those early, brittle veneers to the ones we use today. Pincus himself moved from using porcelain to acrylic, and a porcelain-acrylic composite, in 1938, but the veneers were still temporary. In the 1950s, Dr. Michael Bunocore pioneered a way to permanently bond veneers to the teeth, called “etching,” in which the dentist applied a type of acid to the teeth to open up the pores of the enamel, creating a greater surface area for dental cement to cling to.

Then, in 1982, R.J. Simonsen and J.R. Calamia developed a process that allowed veneers to become a practical cosmetic solution for patients. After nearly 40 years of continual refinement, veneers now offer a safe and reliable cosmetic solution for damaged, worn, or discolored teeth.

Need A Cosmetic Dentist in Apex?

At Hansen Dentistry, we use medical-grade porcelain to achieve incredible, natural-looking results. With proper care and maintenance, the modern dental veneers we make can last for several decades. If you would like to learn more about whether or not you qualify for this procedure, please click here to schedule an appointment!