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Tooth-colored fillings (made of composite resin) are not better than silver but are different. However, most patients and many dentists prefer them to silver amalgam.

Patients prefer tooth-colored fillings because:

• They don’t move or contract and expand when introduced to hot and cold.
• Typically, the dentist removes less healthy tooth during cavity treatment when working with composite resin.
• Composite fillings are aesthetically pleasing ...

Do you have discolored teeth or tooth stains? Have you tried various store products to restore the youthful glow? Don’t worry; we can help!

Brightening your smile may include:

• Professional take-home teeth whitening kits
• In-office teeth whitening treatments
• Store-bought pastes, strips, and gels.

This blog explores the various choices, especially our professional take-home kit, to help you choose the best option.

Why You Should Avoid ...

Well, it looks like your gums have staged a crime and are retreating from the scene, leaving behind a dark line as the only evidence they were ever there. Do not worry; we know exactly what happened here!

Not all crowns and veneers are created equal, see? It seems your restorations were not full porcelain, and if they were porcelain-fused to ...

If you have a cavity, seeing your Kingsport dentist for treatment and a tooth-colored filling is important. After treatment, you may experience mild soreness for a day or two, but you should not feel pain.

If your discomfort does not ease by the second day, I recommend calling my office to speak with a knowledgeable dental professional.

Below, I outline a ...

Proper denture care and maintenance are crucial for anyone relying on dentures for daily activities. Ensuring your dentures are well-maintained not only extends their lifespan but also prevents oral infections that can lead to more severe health issues. If you're seeking high-quality dentures in Kingsport, TN, Hagan Dentistry offers comprehensive services to meet your needs.

Why Denture Care is Essential

Preventing Oral ...

One of the many unfortunate effects of tooth loss is a loss of jawbone density that can alter a person's facial structure. Fortunately, rediscovering your natural jawline is easy, thanks to the transformative power of dental implants. These tiny titanium marvels are unrivaled at restoring facial form and aesthetics while they offer stability and enhanced bite integrity!

Understanding Dental Implants

Dental implants ...

Dental bonding in Kingsport, TN, is a great way to fix small gaps between teeth. However, your dentist may recommend an alternative treatment if the spacing issues are more significant.

About Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is a cosmetic dentistry option that relies on composite resin (tooth-colored filling material) to conceal tooth flaws, including discoloration, chips, cracks, minor wear, and small gaps ...

Gum disease is extremely common in the United States; in fact, more than half of adults suffer from some form of it. Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, can cause many different health issues. Protecting your teeth and gums is crucial to your dental and overall health, but can you lose your teeth from gum disease?

What Is Gum Disease?

When ...

Of course, nothing takes the place of in-person dental care, especially prevention. You should see Andrew Hagan, DMD, at least twice yearly for this. Your preventive checkup includes:

• Comprehensive oral exam
• Oral cancer screening
• Professional teeth cleaning
• Periodontal check

These proactive services are best addressed in person!

However, teledentistry has its place.

Live Video Teledentistry

This is typically a one-on-one chat between yourself and the dentist via ...

Hagan Dentistry has broken ground on a new facility. We will keep you updated with progress. We are excited to share a brand new office with all of our patients so that we can deliver the best dental experience with the latest technology. 

Bad breath is never pleasant to experience, but luckily, it’s preventable and controllable. Dr. Andrew Hagan can provide treatment and advice for fighting bad breath. Here are some DIY home remedies for getting rid of bad breath that you can try at home. 

1. Floss Like a Boss 

Flossing is like giving your teeth a hug. It keeps your teeth and ...

As a rule, you should always visit your emergency dentist in Kingsport, TN, when you have tooth pain, but some circumstances make seeing the dentist difficult. For example, if you are on vacation or have facial or body trauma in addition to tooth pain. In these cases, we encourage going to the ER.

Let’s explore more instances ...

Your dentist in Kingsport, TN, emphasizes prevention, including ways to lower your risks for gum disease.

September focuses on an issue that doesn’t get enough attention: gum health, specifically gum disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 42 percent of American adults have some level of gum disease, often going undiagnosed and untreated.

Unfortunately, gum disease ...

Cosmetic dentistry in Kingsport, TN, comes with varying price points. And final cost depends on the treatment and the complexity of your procedure. However, after your initial consultation with our cosmetic dentist, a team member will talk to you about costs based on the treatments you’ve chosen.

While cosmetic dentistry has varying price points, many affordable options suit most budgets. ...

Modern cosmetic dentistry in Kingsport, TN, is about more than aesthetics. Many options promote optimal oral health and even support teeth at risk for fractures and loss.

Several of our cosmetic choices consider the health and beauty of your smile.

Cosmetic Dentistry Process

Your dentist does not promote any treatment that may be harmful to your teeth and gums. So, we first ...

Are you in search of a time-tested, reliable tooth-replacement option? Perhaps you’ve got several missing teeth and feel unsure about the best way to restore your smile’s cosmetic appearance and overall functionality. You’ve most likely heard of dentures or even known someone who uses them, but how do they work exactly?

What Are Dentures?

People worldwide have relied on dentures for ...

For patients who are considering whitening their teeth, there is no shortage of options on the store shelf. From ill-fitting trays to whitening pens, the market of tooth whitening products can be hard to navigate.

The sheer volume of options leaves many patients mystified as they look for the right product. 

At Hagan Dentistry, we have a simple answer to this question, ...

Our children experience many milestones as they grow. First steps, first words, and the first day of school are all events worthy of celebration. But a first cavity is one occasion every parent in Kingsport, TN hopes to avoid.

This world poses many challenges to our children’s oral health. Sugary temptations are found on every corner, and it’s easy to neglect ...

Prevention is the key to excellent oral health for life. But prevention must be a collaborative effort between patient and dentist.

Your dentist in Kingsport, TN follows best practices and agrees with most dentists that you should have dental exams and teeth cleanings every six months—more if you have been diagnosed with a condition like gum disease.

Equally as important is ...

None of us want to get cavities. We all try hard to keep our teeth clean and protected from decay by brushing and flossing—yet, sometimes, even despite our best efforts, occasional dental caries will creep in. 

When you get a cavity in a tooth, you need to have your cavity filled by a Kingsport dentist right away. But if you’ve never ...

When you think about bridges, you probably picture some of the iconic landmarks in cities like New York, San Francisco, or London. These bridges provide a structural function to the communities that surround them by helping close the gap between two places. 

Much as architectural bridges connect two otherwise-separate locations, dental bridges provide connection and uniformity for teeth. 

If you’ve ever ...

Do you feel rested when you wake up in the morning? Even if you think you're getting a full night's rest, if you suffer from frequent morning headaches or you find yourself unable to concentrate on your tasks throughout the day, you may be waking up at night without even realizing it.

A sleep disorder known as sleep apnea may ...

Now that you've invested in a tooth crown in Kingsport, TN to restore your smile, you'll want to do everything you can to protect your investment. We're here to help!

While your crown looks and functions like a natural tooth, there are some foods you should avoid to ensure you get the most longevity from your restoration. Here's what Dr. Hagan ...

Most dental insurance plans are set up with annual benefits that expire on December 31st of each year. Those benefits do no roll over to the next year. Any benefits that were not used during the year are essentially gone forever.

For instance, if your dental insurance plan includes $1500/year towards cleanings or dental work and you do not go to ...

The students at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School in Kingsport participated in Fun-Run Field Day today. This is an exciting day for the kids where they get to do all sorts of relay races, games, and outdoor activities. It also serves as a fundraiser for Jefferson's Parent-Teacher Organization. Even though it was very hot for October, it was nice and sunny. ...

The staff at Hagan Dentistry are involved in our community and like to give back when we can. Recently, Dr. Hagan and Carol spent a day volunteering with Appalachian Miles for Smiles. Appalachian Miles for Smiles is a fully equipped dental trailer that provides free dental care at different locations in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia for underprivileged patients. It was ...

2019 has been a busy year at Hagan Dentsitry. We have repainted and redecorated the office, complete with artwork from The Iron Works in Kingsport. Come by and see it if it's been a while since you've stopped in.

The whole office also attended the Hinman Dental Meeting in Atlanta in the spring. This is the largest dental meeting in the ...

Emergency Dentistry in Kingsport, TN

Whether you have an acute toothache or on-and-off pain, it’s always best to call your family dentist to ask if you should schedule an appointment. But in certain situations, you may need emergency dentistry at your Kingsport, TN dental office. If so, we’ll want to see you right away.

While there are many types of dental ...

Everyone deserves a good night's sleep.

It can be tough to sleep next to someone who snores, especially for light sleepers. However, it's more than likely that no one is getting a good night's rest—especially if the snorer suffers from untreated obstructive sleep apnea. 

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea can be ...

Since millions of people have dental crowns, it’s possible that you have one or two of your own. Dentists use these dental restorations to protect a damaged tooth and restore its strength, function, and appearance.

Your Kingsport, TN dentist offers dental crowns in several different materials including porcelain, porcelain-fused-to-metal, and gold. 

4 Steps to a New Dental Crown

If you’ve ever gotten ...

What do you think of when someone mentions dentures? Do you picture fake teeth that look, well, fake? Did you envision your grandmother’s denture slipping every time she laughed?

State-of-the-Art Dentures

Decades ago, dentists and technicians did the best they could with the materials available, and the aesthetic results and comfort of dentures left a lot to be desired. 

But modern full ...

In March, Dr. Hagan and the staff from Hagan Dentistry attended the Hinman Dental Meeting in Atlanta, GA. The Hinman meeting is one of the largest dental meetings in the country with speakers coming to discuss the latest in new dental technology and techniques. Hagan Dentistry is proud to learn from the best researchers and clinicians in the country and ...

Dental Implants in Kingsport, TN

Losing a tooth can happen for many reasons; from tooth decay to injury—tooth loss is a common problem. If you are missing a tooth in Kingsport, TN, you probably already know how it affects your daily routine. A lot of patients are not aware of how missing teeth can affect your general oral health and ...

When it comes to your teeth and gums, the old adage, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” couldn’t be truer. Preventing tooth decay and gum disease starts as early as infancy, but knowing other common dental problems as you age, along with family dentistry in Kingsport, TN, is just as important.

Here’s how you can protect ...

Does your partner’s loud snoring cause you to lose precious sleep? It can be annoying to be lying awake while the person next to you is in a deep sleep. But the truth is that, despite all the noise you hear, your partner may not be sleeping peacefully at all if the source of the snoring is obstructive sleep ...

Did you know that dental enamel is the hardest substance in the human body? If you consider the wear and tear your teeth withstand on a daily basis without becoming damaged, this fact makes sense.

But the reality is that sometimes teeth do get chipped or broken and not only detract from your smile, but also cause a jagged edge that ...

If you’re like many people, you know flossing should be part of your daily oral hygiene routine but actually doing it can be a chore. You may be tempted to rush through the routine to get it over with, which results in an inadequate job and a waste of your effort.

Why You Need to Floss

Let’s start by saying that, yes, ...

Whatever esthetic smile flaws bother you, cosmetic dentistry offers a wealth of solutions to improve your appearance and your oral health.

Problems Cosmetic Dentistry Corrects

In fact, there are so many options available that choosing the one that is right for you can be a daunting task! Your dentist uses cosmetic dentistry to:

• Repair chipped, cracked, or broken teeth
• Even out wide gaps or irregular ...

Dental fillings are basic restorative treatments most dentists offer because they are a time-tested solution for damaged teeth. In fact, about 100 years ago researchers in Slovenia found an ancient tooth filled with beeswax that dates back to 6,500 AD!

Today, dentists use either a silver amalgam filling or a tooth-colored composite material. While amalgam fillings have their uses, composites tend ...

Millions of people benefit from crowns, and it’s likely that you may even have one yourself. Crowns are a staple of dentistry because they are dental restorations that fit over a damaged tooth to strengthen and protect it.

3 Reasons Why You Need a Dental Crown

Dental crowns in Kingsport, TN are so versatile that we can use them in numerous situations. However, ...

Searching for a dentist for yourself can be challenging on its own, but trying to find the right dentist for your kids is an entirely different matter, or at least it should be.

You should take your time to find the right dentist because your child’s early dental experiences will set the stage for their attitude about oral care for the ...

How do you feel about your smile? Are you happy with the way your teeth look or do you long for a dream smile makeover? If you’re thinking about improving your smile with cosmetic dentistry, porcelain veneers are an excellent option to consider.

The Value of a Confident Smile

Many studies and surveys have been conducted to find out how smiles affect ...

In the US, all dentists must receive a doctorate degree. This typically requires 8 years after high school graduation. Most dentists receive a bachelor’s degree in college, often in a science-related field, as dental schools require entering students to have completed extensive coursework in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. I attended Furman University and received a Bachelor of Science degree ...

Toothaches are well known to be one of the most miserable types of pain that one can experience. On quite a few occasions, I’ve had female patients tell me that the pain they have with a toothache is worse than anything they went through with childbirth. So what causes toothaches, and what can you do to help minimize discomfort if ...

All about dentures

Most people have heard of dentures or “false teeth”. But many people don’t realize what dentures really are, how they work, and what their limitations are. Below I’ll try to explain a little about the types of dentures that are available and how we go about making them.

In ...

One of the most frequent questions we get asked at Hagan Dentistry is “How can I get my teeth whiter?" If this is a question you’ve also had, it may be helpful to know a little more about what causes teeth to darken in the first place.

Teeth Are Naturally ...

For many different reasons, it is very important to receive regular dental care. Different studies have shown that poor dental health can be connected with a variety of other health conditions, including heart disease, stroke, pneumonia, pre-term births, and diabetes. Furthermore, going to the dentist regularly can help detect small dental problems while they can be treated easily and ...

Dental implants are one of the greatest technological advances that we have in dentistry. Dental implants are basically titanium tooth roots, and are based on the same science and technology as joint replacements. In fact, some companies that manufacture dental implants also make joint replacements.

Learn More With Dr. Hagan

Replace Missing Teeth

One ...

Children’s dental care receives a lot of attention at school and on TV programming. It is definitely important to teach kids about dental care and help them establish healthy habits early in life. However, far less attention is placed on dental care for senior adults. There are unique challenges that some senior adults experience that make dental education extremely important ...

As a dentist who likes to see adult, teen, and child patients, I am often asked about oral health and dental care for kids. As a parent of two young kids myself, I love to answer these questions and to help parents and kids achieve ideal dental health. Below, I am going to list some of the most common ...

To learn more about choosing the best toothpaste, check out Dr. Hagan on Channel 11 News Daytime!  

We get this question almost every day at Hagan Dentistry. In the not too distant past, you had only a handful of choices when you walked down the dental care aisle at the drug store. People had strong feelings for their brand of ...

What causes tooth sensitivity?

Most of us experience tooth sensitivity at some point in our lives. Fortunately, for many of us, the sensitivity resolves all on its own. However, others experience prolonged, continuous tooth sensitivity.

Before I discuss common causes of sensitivity, here is a quick and basic tooth anatomy lesson. The white part of the tooth that is above the gum ...

As a parent of a toddler myself, I know that a lot of the information about kids’ health that circulates on the internet can often be overwhelming, confusing, and contradictory. I always try to reassure the parents of my patients and help them make well-informed decisions regarding the oral health care of their children. I will try to address a ...

Most patients that I talk to have heard of the term, “dental implants.” However, not many of them have a good understanding of what they are and how they can benefit from them.

What are Dental Implants

Dental implants are basically replacements for missing teeth. Depending on a patient’s needs, they can be used to hold an individual crown in place, they ...