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Posts for category: Cosmetic Dentistry

Fillings Restore Teeth to Their Normal Function

By Joseph R. Hendrick, Jr., DDS, PA

September 15, 2021

Tags: Dental Fillings

Are you concerned that you may have a cavity? Visit your Shelby, NC, dentist, Dr. Joseph Hendrick, for a filling that will protect and restore your tooth.

Who gets cavities?

Cavities are very common. In fact, more than 90 percent of people over 20 have had at least one cavity according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Although brushing and flossing reduce your risk of tooth decay, you can still develop a cavity if you miss a spot while brushing especially because plaque tends to form in hard-to-reach areas. The spaces between overlapping teeth and tiny pits in your molars are also common sites for cavities.

Tooth decay occurs when bacteria in plaque mix with sugars in foods to create acids. These acids are so strong that they begin to weaken your tooth enamel and can eventually cause cavities. Brushing and flossing reduce the amount of plaque on your teeth, lowering your cavity risk. Swapping sugary snacks for fruits and vegetables will also decrease the likelihood that you'll develop a cavity.

How do fillings help teeth?

If your dental X-ray shows that you have a cavity, you'll need a filling to prevent the decay from continuing to spread. If cavities aren't treated promptly, they can spread to other teeth or your tooth pulp and can cause dangerous bacterial infections.

Luckily, fillings can help you avoid these tooth decay consequences. When you receive a filling in Shelby, NC, your dentist opens your tooth and removes the decayed portion. Before you receive the filling, you'll receive a local anesthetic to ensure that you don't feel any discomfort during the treatment.

After cleaning the tooth, your dentist adds filling material to seal and restore the tooth. Although silver amalgam fillings used to be the only option, tooth-colored fillings are used today. The fillings are made of composite resin, a flexible glass- and plastic-based material that's available in shades that match the color of your teeth perfectly. Once your filling is in place, you'll be able to chew and bite normally.

Fillings help keep your smile healthy! Call your Shelby, NC, dentist, Dr. Hendrick, at (704) 484-0077 to schedule an appointment if you have a toothache or are worried about one of your teeth.

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What Does Professional Teeth Whitening Involve?

By Joseph R. Hendrick, Jr., DDS, PA

April 26, 2021

Category: Cosmetic Dentistry

Tags: Teeth Whitening

Yes, you can whiten your teeth at home with a professional whitening system.

One of the simplest ways to greatly improve your smile and your appearance is to get teeth whitening. Most people these days are looking for effective and fast solutions to remove yellow stains and to perk up their smile. Did you know you can actually turn to your Shelby, NC, dentist, Dr. Joseph Hendrick, for teeth whitening treatment but still whiten from home?

You Can Get Customized At-Home Treatment

Just because you aren’t sitting in our dental chair doesn’t mean that you can’t still get amazingly white results. Your Shelby, NC, cosmetic dentist offers at-home teeth whitening that’s tailored to your needs. At-home whitening is different from commercial whitening products that you’ll grab at your drugstore because they offer custom-made home whitening trays.

Since these trays are molded to your teeth this ensures that the bleach reaches all areas of your smile evenly. Some trays are only worn for an hour or two while others should be left overnight. Dr. Hendrick will provide you with complete instructions for how to use your at-home whitening trays properly.

Make Sure to Follow Instructions

It’s important that you follow all at-home whitening instructions if you want a safe treatment. At-home whitening is incredibly safe, but it’s important that you are following instructions, so you don’t deal with any unwanted side effects. For example, do not wear whitening trays for longer than you’re supposed to in an effort to whiten your smile faster. This will only increase your risk for tooth sensitivity.

Professional At-Home Whitening is Very Effective

There is a reason people turn to Dr. Hendrick for at-home whitening instead of using over-the-counter whitening kits. Dr. Hendrick can provide you with a stronger whitening gel than OTC products. A whitening gel with a higher percentage of peroxide can help you get faster results in a shorter period of time. Plus, the custom trays ensure better and more even results than the bulky OTC whitening trays.

Are you interested in getting professional at-home teeth whitening treatment from our Shelby, NC, cosmetic dentist Dr. Hendrick? If so, the next step is to give our practice a call today at (704) 484-0077 or (704) 482-8336 to schedule a consultation.

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When Was the Last Time You Had Your Teeth Professionally Cleaned?

By Joseph R. Hendrick, Jr., DDS, PA

March 05, 2021

Category: Cosmetic Dentistry

Tags: Teeth Cleaning

Have you been meaning to schedule a checkup and teeth cleaning appointment with your Shelby, NC, dentist, Dr. Joseph Hendrick, but just haven't found the time? Scheduling a cleaning is a simple way to decrease your risk of cavities and gum disease.

How cleanings help you keep your smile healthy

You've probably noticed that your teeth feel a little sticky or rough when you first wake up in the morning. That sticky sensation occurs when plaque builds up on your teeth. Plaque is a clear, bacteria-laden film that constantly coats your teeth.

The bacteria in plaque mixes with the sugar in foods to create acids that attack your tooth enamel. The acids weaken the enamel and can eventually cause cavities.

Cavities aren't the only consequence of plaque buildup. Plaque can turn into tartar in as few as 10 days. Tartar is a hard deposit that looks gray or brown on your teeth. Unfortunately, tartar can't be removed with a toothbrush or floss. Both plaque and tartar can be factors in tooth decay and gum disease.

When you visit the Shelby dental office for a checkup or cleaning, the dental hygienist will:

Remove every trace of plaque: Your dental hygienist cleans away plaque and pays particular attention to places that are hard to reach with a toothbrush or floss. Regular cleanings, in addition to good oral hygiene, will help you lower your tooth decay risk.
Eliminate tartar: No matter how carefully you brush and floss, you're bound to have a little tartar buildup. Visiting the dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning will ensure that tartar is removed before it can begin to irritate your gums and cause gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease. Your hygienist uses a special tool that removes tartar without damaging your tooth enamel.
Polish your teeth: Polishing your teeth at the end of the cleaning removes minor surface stains that can dull your teeth and leaves them feeling sparkling clean.

Your appointment will also include a checkup with the dentist. In addition to looking for signs of cavities, gum disease, and other oral health issues, he'll also perform an oral cancer screening.

Protect your smile with regular checkups and cleanings! Call your dentist in Shelby, NC, Dr. Joseph Hendrick, at (704) 484-0077 or (704) 482-8336 to schedule your appointment.

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Rejuvenate Your Smile With Porcelain Veneers

By Joseph R. Hendrick, Jr., DDS, PA

January 28, 2020

Category: Cosmetic Dentistry

Tags: porcelain veneers

How porcelain veneers from your dentist in Shelby, North Carolina can improve your smile.

If you want to dramatically improve your smile, you need to discover porcelain veneers. Veneer treatment can do a lot to rejuvenate an aging, dull, damaged smile. Dr. Joseph R. Hendrick Jr. in Shelby, North Carolina offers a wide range of preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dental services, including porcelain veneers to improve your smile.

If nature didn’t give you the smile you deserve, you can enhance your smile with porcelain veneers. Veneers allow you to change the size, color, shape, and other factors about your teeth or smile that bother you.

Veneers have become one of the most popular cosmetic dental services because they are so versatile. In fact, veneers can hide:

Cracks and fracture lines from trauma
Chips, erosion, or tooth wear from aging
Blotches, discolorations, or stains from medications or lifestyle factors

Veneers may also be helpful to hide alignment issues including minimizing the look of tooth overlap, closing up small gaps between teeth, and making crowded, crooked teeth appear to be straighter. Your dentist will discuss whether veneers can be helpful for your specific alignment issues, or if you should consider orthodontic treatment.

Versatility is just one of the many benefits of porcelain veneers. When you choose porcelain veneers to rejuvenate your smile, you can expect:

Dazzling, natural beauty; porcelain reflects light and looks just like natural tooth enamel
Long-lasting sparkle; porcelain resists stains, so your veneers will stay bright and beautiful for years
Conservation of tooth structure; your dentist removes little to no tooth structure, just enough to accommodate the thickness of the veneers

Quick results; porcelain veneer treatment requires only 2 to 3 appointments, including a consultation appointment. That means you can have a completely new smile just in time for a special event like a wedding or reunion and you want to look your best.

To find out more about what porcelain veneers can do for you and your smile, talk with your dentist. Call Dr. Joseph R. Hendrick Jr. in Shelby, North Carolina today.

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