Patient Education

Smile! We hear this phrase right before a camera or phone clicks to take our photo. If you’re not feeling confident about your teeth, you likely keep your mouth closed to avoid the camera’s unforgiving lens. Yellowing teeth are a sure sign of aging, as the outer layer of enamel gets worn away. This reveals the natural yellow color of the dentin below. Other factors such as staining foods and drinks, medications, inadequate dental hygiene, and tobacco use cause yellowing and stained teeth. Ready to stop hiding your teeth and start showing off your smile? It’s time to look at cosmetic teeth whitening from a dental professional. If you’re searching for the best teeth whitening in Omaha, look no further than Legacy Dental. Our top dental team is here to answer any questions or concerns you have about cosmetic teeth whitening. The following are just a few of the most commonly asked questions about cosmetic teeth whitening: What is the Teeth Whitening Procedure? At Legacy Dental, the first step in attaining a whiter smile is receiving a professional cleaning by one of our caring Dental Hygienists. If you still desire additional whitening after a thorough cleaning, our team offers two additional levels of teeth whitening to choose from: In-Office Zoom Teeth Whitening: Got an hour to whiten your teeth up to 8 shades lighter? Then our in-office Zoom Whitening provides the most effective whitening results. Sit back and relax in our dental chair, pop on some noise-cancelling headphones, watch a movie, and let the Zoom Whitening gel go to work! To accelerate results, a Zoom Whitening LED lamp is placed over teeth for a dramatic improvement in a short period of time. Take Home Trays: If you prefer to whiten your teeth at home, Legacy Dental provides custom whitening trays and at-home whitening gel to use at your convenience. Does Teeth Whitening Damage Your Teeth? The answer is no! Teeth whitening gel does not damage the enamel of your teeth, which is considered one of the hardest tissues in the body. Although enamel is one of the hardest tissues in the body, it is porous and can absorb stains.  Whitening removes stains from within the enamel tubules without damaging the tooth itself. Will My Teeth Be Sensitive After Whitening? Tooth sensitivity is normal after your whitening session. Avoid extremely hot or cold foods, brushing your teeth too aggressively, and sugar-filled foods. If your sensitivity persists, contact your dentist. Does Teeth Whitening Work On Caps and Veneers? Unfortunately, no. Teeth whitening is only effective on real teeth. Porcelain veneers, fillings, dentures, crowns, or implants will not show any whitening changes. How Long Does Teeth Whitening Last? How long the effects of whitening last depends on a number of factors, including diet, home oral hygiene practices and frequency of professional cleanings. To help maintain your results for as long as possible we provide custom trays with whitening gel refills for touch ups at home. Am I a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening? Before you begin the process of teeth whitening, have a frank discussion with your dentist about your oral health history. Children, those with extremely sensitive teeth, or people who have had extensive dental work done may not be the best candidates for teeth whitening. Legacy Dental, who offers the best teeth whitening in Omaha, looks forward to answering any questions you have about cosmetic teeth whitening. Contact our expert team today to learn how you can highlight, instead of hiding, your dazzling smile! Come see how our attention to detail and focus on patient comfort makes us different. At Legacy Dental we strive to exceed expectations and improve the lives of our patients.

While watching your favorite TV show or movie, it’s evident that the actors on screen have bright, perfectly aligned smiles. You wonder if that’s a prerequisite to land a job in Hollywood as you self-consciously run your tongue along your imperfect teeth. How is it possible that all of these people were born with immaculate mouths loaded with super straight pearly whites? What you don’t see behind the scenes is that many of these actors have had dental work done, such as porcelain veneers, to gloss over imperfections and create a shiny, luminous appearance. If you think that the chance to professionally treat your smile is only for movie stars, think again! Porcelain veneers in Omaha are within your reach at Legacy Dental, where our expert dental team strives to provide each patient with compassionate care that provides life-changing results. If you’ve ever considered cosmetic dentistry, here are the top 6 questions asked about porcelain veneers. 1. What are Porcelain Veneers? You may have heard the word veneer applied to home improvement projects, since it applies to a process where a beautiful, expensive piece of wood is adhered to an inferior piece to improve its appearance. In dentistry, the same concept applies except the material is porcelain, and it is applied as a thin shell that changes the shape, size, or color of teeth. Additionally, porcelain veneers can be used to correct crowding, chipping, or spacing issues. Why use porcelain? The material best mimics the natural light and coloring of healthy tooth enamel. 2. What is the Difference Between Veneers and Crowns? The best way to remember the difference between crowns and veneers is to examine how they cover a tooth. When wearing a hat, it surrounds and covers the circumference of your head. This is similar to a dental crown, which surrounds, and also covers, an entire tooth. In a dental context, a “hat” and a “crown” can be thought of as quite similar! A veneer simply covers the front of your tooth in order to create a new shape, size, or color with a thin shell of porcelain. 3. How Long Will Veneers Last? If your natural teeth are showing signs of aging, staining, and misalignment, porcelain veneers are an excellent option for cosmetic dentistry. The average life span of porcelain veneers is 10-15 years if care and caution is taken to extend their longevity. Some things to avoid are: opening items with your teeth biting your nails chewing hard foods with your back teeth or cutting dense foods into smaller pieces With some maintenance and care on your part, your porcelain veneers will last for many years worth of hearty meals, bright smiles, and impromptu pictures. 4. Am I a Good Candidate for Porcelain Veneers? If you find yourself covering your smile with your hand, avoiding exposing your teeth when you smile, or noticing permanent stains on your teeth, you are a great candidate for porcelain veneers. If your self-confidence and daily activities are affected by the state of your smile, it’s time to explore options that improve your confidence and your smile! 5. What Is the Process? The first step is to prepare your teeth for veneers. In some cases, no preparation is required. Next, impressions are made of your teeth, which are then sent to a ceramist, who specializes in crafting your ideal smile. The ceramist then creates a wax “veneer” of your ideal smile that is turned into temporary veneers. After wearing these temporary veneers, and noting any areas that you’d like to change, a final porcelain set is made, which is applied and sealed at a final visit. This step-by-step process allows you to make adjustments along the way based on your vision of the final product, while also causing very little discomfort in your daily life. 6. How Do I Learn More About Legacy Dental’s Porcelain Veneers Process? Omaha’s expert team at Legacy Dental can thoroughly answer your questions about porcelain veneers during an in-depth consultation. Contact us today to see how our cosmetic dentistry and porcelain veneers can give you a dazzling Hollywood smile… right here in the heart of Nebraska! Schedule Your New Patient Exam Today!

When you were younger, you likely displayed a wide, playful smile in every photo you took. As a child, if you were asked to say, “cheese!” you did so in style. As we age, those smiles may become a little duller as we realize that the telltale signs of aging are written all over our mouths. Stained and yellowing enamel, upper mouth wrinkles, and crooked teeth all clearly convey our age before we’re able to state our date of birth. If you’re looking for tips about how to inject some of that youthful exuberance back into your smile, the expert team at Legacy Dental offers several anti-aging solutions for a younger smile. As the best dental office in Omaha, our staff consults with each patient to ensure a thorough discussion about their oral health goals, as well as what cosmetic dentistry options best suit their needs. 1. Whiten Teeth for a Younger Smile If you drink coffee every morning, we salute your caffeinated struggles. However, this daily habit also wreaks havoc on your teeth, causing staining that yellows your teeth. A brighter, whiter smile looks more youthful, and doesn’t show signs of daily vices such as caffeine. At Legacy Dental, we utilize the “Whitening for Life” program, which offers the option of at-home whitening gel in addition to Zoom teeth whitening. The patented Zoom whitening system uses an LED lamp to accelerate whitening results, with up to eight shades whiter achieved in just an hour! 2. Get Rid of Wrinkles If you’re a former smoker, or forgot to apply sunscreen when you were younger, fine lines and wrinkles above your upper lip provide an unsightly reminder of your past choices. Today’s advances in cosmetic dentistry are not only limited to your teeth, but also your surrounding skin. Legacy Dental offers Botox and laser treatments designed to reduce fine lines and relax deep-set wrinkles. 3. Be Aware of Gum Recession Gum recession occurs when the gum tissue that surrounds teeth wears away or pulls back, which exposes more of the tooth or its root. While this can be a result of normal wear and tear in your mouth, it is a visible sign of aging. To prevent gum recession, brush and floss your teeth on a regular basis, using an electric toothbrush or a soft-brushing technique. Misalignment and poor bite can also accelerate gum recession. Correcting these conditions using Invisalign can also help prevent gum recession. If you’re unsure about how to brush your teeth in this manner or want to learn more about avoiding gum recession, speak with your dentist. 4. Restore Your Teeth If you think that a mouth full of straight, white teeth is out of reach, think again! Legacy Dental offers crowns, bonding, and veneers to correct the length, spacing, and uneven surface of your teeth. While crowns cover your tooth and provide a brand new (and strong!) covering, a veneer coats just the surface of your tooth with a smooth, porcelain surface. These long-lasting cosmetic procedures instantly create a new, youthful looking smile. 5. Correct Crooked Teeth When you picture “teeth straightening”, you might see a mouthful of metal, much like the jagged braces of your youth. Today, Legacy Dental offers Invisalign, a series of plastic trays that gradually move your teeth into the correct position. The tray’s clear exterior makes the product imperceptible for those seeking discrete teeth straightening. 6. Smile! Want to look 10 years younger? Instead of posing with a straight face, or covering your mouth with your hand, let your smile naturally occur. When you smile, your facial muscles relax, making your face appear at ease and not taut with tension. A natural smile is one of the best remedies for anti-aging. 7. Visit a Dentist To keep your smile beaming, it’s critical to visit a dentist on a regular basis to discuss your oral health, as well as teeth whitening and straightening options. Contact Omaha’s best dentists at Legacy Dental to see how our expert staff can not only maintain your smile, but also offer anti-aging options to return your youthful grin. Schedule Your New Patient Exam Today!