General
no, I am not, but I WAS a dental technician. i studied and worked under one of the best crown and bridge people around, worked in his lab, and at chair side during crown, root canal, even oral surgery procedures. i made it a point to learn what the nature of the acrylic is, and how to use it safely and efficiently. the same applies to my methods. i'm not in the business of hurting people. i AM a rockstar however...........
nope. i do come off at times as a bit of a dark and mysterious entity (funny, cause i'm almost TOO happy a guy), but I don't consider myself to be a vampire.
yes I do. answer me this?...... how can every known religion and culture have vampire myths without having SOME basis in fact. even with all superstition set aside, myths die unless they are propagated once in a while. did i mention, i like puppies???????
how did you get into this business?
probably the most common question apart from, "do they come off". so sit back and get some popcorn. it's a bit of a tale.
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as it is, fangs are not my primary focus. i am an artist, most notably, a musician. i've been playing drums since i was two, and have been picking up instruments along the way ever since.
in the fall of 94', i happened to be playing a gig in abbotsford, a suburb of vancouver, BC, canada. i was on break between sets and i felt the urge to go outside for a breathe of fresh air. while outside, i noticed a rather odd gentleman engaged in a conversation with my guitar player. i was watching the two of them speak, enraptured by their movements for some unknown reason, when I realized that the stranger had VERY long top and bottom canine teeth. i was about to interrupt and remark on this fact when he turned his eyes to me. he was wearing a pair of washed out gray contact lenses, quite striking on a man who stood easily three inches taller than me, dressed in a rather sharp business suit, had a "Lurch" style haircut, AND had these TEETH.
i'll take a moment to back up and explain one reason for my fascination...... until I was twelve, i had had quite long canine teeth myself, both top and bottom. they were cut down in preparation for braces that i never ended up needing. that was a fiasco in itself that I'd rather not go into now, but suffice it to say that my dentist got through the first one before i realized what was going on. after that not-so-comfortable buzzing, i had gone over the tooth with my tongue to find it.... well, gone for all intensive purposes. no more halloween 364 days a year i guess. It took substantially more effort on his part, and the rest of his staff i'll add, to relive me of the other one. my bottoms still remain to this day, although a little worn for wear.
now, back to the story........
seeing as how this fine chap had bigger teeth than me, i HAD to inquire as to where he "got" them. after all, i wasn't the type of person to simply accept the fact that he would be better endowed than me (in that department people, please) through natural means. i was jealous. and feeling rather hopeless until one of his fangs fell out just as he was explaining how they were REALLY his and that he was a vampire. i just started to laugh, not for the comedic value of his faux par, but because maybe there was SOME way to get my teeth back.
after an hour of relentless questions, he finally broke down and told me of a man who lived in Seattle, but came up to Vancouver every six weeks to make fangs. as luck would have it, when I called the store the gentleman told me of, a salesperson told me that the following weekend was when the "dentist" was expected. i made my appointment and waited..... and waited...... and............., waited.
finally, saturday dawned bright and sunny, and i set off to downtown granville island (vancouver proper to those of you unfamiliar with the area) and "cabbages and kings", the shop where is was to meet with destiny. i should have known it was the one with all the rubber clothing in it, but hey, I was a denim guy; unpierced, untattooed, and totally unaware of the change of life waiting at the little table in the back of the store. actually, it was right behind me, because just as I asked where I could find the "fang guy", a voice rose up in the exclamation..... "ANOTHER VICTIM....". although I didn't like the idea of being a victim, it was hard to not feel like a chicken leg when I met tsarvek.
he was a little round, but at his height I guess you could call it mass; very hairy, yet kept in his own way; and clothed in silks and leathers. I really couldn't tell from one moment to the next if he was the lion, the trainer, or the whole bloody circus in one, so I just kept my mouth shut. until he said open up.
what happened next is what i suppose every one of my clients experiences when they get their first set of fangs. that sense of excitement mixed with a little fear (is this gonna hurt?), and of course the inquisitiveness. i would ask a question, he would answer, then go off into a dialog that i wouldn't quite understand (until later) about his experiences. maybe he was telling me something my mind knew to remember later and i just didn't pick up on it in the excitement. who knows. in any event, my mouth wasn't the only thing under scrutiny for the 30 minutes; i was watching every move in awe. i subconsciously memorized everything i saw (later, this would become the basis for the system i now use).
after a few brief instructions, shaking of hands, and the passing over of money well spent, i was back out on the streets of vancouver ready to take on the world. i can relate with EVERY ONE of my patrons when i see them smile their new smile........ i'll never forget MY first time.
two months later, i was back in connecticut, and miserable because I had just broken one of my teeth. actually, i have no idea how it broke; i just went to go put them in, and one of them was broken. most likely what had happened was that somebody had inadvertently placed something heavy on top of them without realizing that they were there. however it happened is less important than what went through my mind next. i was remembering in vivid detail the entire process and before I could think twice, i was on the phone with my dentist inquiring as to how to obtain the necessary materials.
after a week, i had everything together and began to make a new pair of teeth. they looked pretty bad. but there was hope; the worst thing about them wasn't the shape, but the color. it was really quite surprising because although I considered myself an artist in the music sense, I had NO talent when it came to drawing. it seemed that perhaps i had found a new medium. my next try looked really good, but the surface was rough and again the color was off. over the next several months i experimented with ideas and became quite adept with the drill. but the color and texture was always off. i put a call into the store in vancouver and they gave me tsarvek's telephone number.
what surprised me the most about the initial few seconds of that conversation was that he remembered me in detail; the things we had discussed, what i look like, everything. here was a guy who was doing 10 to 20 pairs of teeth a day and after six months could still remember me. when i started to ask about the teeth, he began to ask if there were enough of a demand in my area for them. i said i was quit sure there was (i'm not the ONLY freak in CT after all), but there wasn't anybody doing them. he asked if i though it would be worth his while to come out for a workshop, but for some reason i found that my only answer was that i wanted to do them myself. his answer? "i had a feeling you would...... i'm glad you had the respect to ask me. ok, here's what you do...." and over the course of a few phone calls, i was gifted the secrets that helped me make the quality of fangs i make now.
in my opinion, tsarvek is the BEST. no one will ever sway my opinion of that. i can only thank whatever powers were at work that it was HIS example i had to study from, and not that of so many others. his interests in anatomy and biology, as well as the chemistry of the materials we work with afforded me a deeper knowledge of what we do than i believe many of us (fang makers) posses. rarely do i meet anybody who loves what they do as much as he and i do. if what i'm saying here sounds like ego, well maybe it is.... but it's more pride than anything else. i love this business; i love making people happy; and i love fangs........ i may not be doing them forever, but this company is here to stay as long as i'm alive and kicking. EVEN IF my wildest music dreams come true.
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Next question,
Custom Fangs
what are your custom fangs made of?
my fangs are made of the highest quality dental acrylic; the same material used in the manufacture of temporary crowns, retainers, and full or partial dentures. this material is very strong enough to stand up to day to day wear, yet soft enough not to cause damaging wear to your natural teeth.
my fangs are made of the highest quality dental acrylic; the same material used in the manufacture of temporary crowns, retainers, and full or partial dentures. this material is very strong enough to stand up to day to day wear, yet soft enough not to cause damaging wear to your natural teeth.
why dental acrylic as opposed to porcelain or metal?
1. SAFETY. acrylic teeth will accept the wear that your natural teeth induce without causing increased tooth enamel wear. your teeth may shift slightly with extended use, but will return to their natural place over night as long as you remove them. porcelain and metal are the opposite, and sooner than later you would find evidence of wear on your natural teeth. the constant grinding, insertion, and removal of your fangs will wear away the enamel enamel on your natural teeth resulting in cavities, tooth sensitivity, even the possibility of root damage. you may even chip or break a natural tooth if you wear porcelain or metal fangs.
2. cost. most people wouldn't want to shell out $400 to $800 for a single pair of teeth. porcelain, at least the good stuff, is very expensive as are many of the metals that are manufactured in a grade safe enough to be used in the mouth.
yup yup. as a matter of fact, i recommend you remove them while eating and sleeping.
are they single caps, or do you use a bridge?
i prefer to use the single cap design as opposed to a bridge. this provides you with more natural feeling fangs and less of a feeling of a full mouth. speech, even for those who experience a slight lisp in the beginning, becomes completely natural in a day or so. you are also able to upgrade from set to set because i don't fuse the caps in back. this also makes it easier to do repairs because we only have to fix one tooth as opposed to a whole bridge or several teeth fused together.
usually, they will go in and stay on simply because they are custom fit. suction and fit make up 99% of how well they are going to stay. the other 1% is the size, shape, and condition of your natural teeth and gums. these caps rely on the spaces between teeth and gums to "snap" into. some mouths don't hold teeth in very well simply because of how your teeth are placed. it's really hard to say until i take a look.
how do i keep them in if they don't stay on by themselves?
just use a small dab of poly grip. you place it on the top of the back portion of the fang, just inside. because the tooth is custom fit, it doesn't need anything to be stuffed into it to tighten it. the poly grip just adds a little tackiness and adhesion to the fang. too much and your tooth won't fit right. please remember that these fangs are translucent, and if you get poly grip, or ANYTHING on the inside of the FRONT, it may shine through and discolor the fangs. be sure to always clean out you fangs to avoid this embarrassing occurrence.
well, you can certainly consume LIQUID foods of any type without fear. however, because of the side to side grinding movement of the human jaw while chewing, there is the possibility of catching the tip of a fang and snapping it off. also, consistent grinding will result in the wearing away of the backside walls of the fangs making them thin. this process may take years, but why risk it? If they WERE cemented in, these problems would be much less of a consideration because there would be almost no chance of the fang being knocked loose. once loose from the natural tooth, the fangs are very fragile and any undo pressure may result in a crack.
what happens if I swallow a fang?
other than having to buy another one, nothing. not to say that they are safe to consume, but providing they don't get caught on the way through, your system will just pass them along.
why can't I sleep with my fangs in?
most people grind their teeth when they sleep, but EVERYBODY grinds when they have a foreign device in their mouth. again, because they are not cemented in, they may be knocked loose by accident. if this happens while asleep, you run a good chance of inhaling a piece. THIS IS VERY BAD. you don't want to end up in an ER explaining that your punctured lung was the result of a fake fang coming loose.
can I bite people with these fangs?
that is entirely up to you and the person whom you wish to bite. biting a non consenting person is illegal and considered assault in all 50 states, so make sure that the person you plan to bite is willing. also, please feel free to review the answer to 3 questions back.
*** NOTE, i do not condone the practices of biting for blood and blood consumption. i feel that in the present day, these practices are too dangerous to engage in without knowing the entire history of your partner (which is virtually impossible). as they say, you are sleeping with every person that your lover has ever slept with. imaging what drinking their BLOOD means. Use Your Head, don't get dead!! ***
if you try hard enough, a SPOON can break skin. remember to play RESPONSIBLY!!!!. although the AIDS virus is not believed to be carried in saliva, why take unnecessary risks? also, although the AIDS virus can supposedly be killed by digestion, it's getting it to your stomach that is the trick. small tears may be present in your esophagus from the last meal you've eaten, and they can heighten your chances of exposure.
another point to take into consideration are the legal ramifications. biting is considered assault, and biting with these teeth in COULD be considered aggravated assault. make sure that the person you are biting is a consenting adult, or it could come back to "bite" YOU!
another thing to remember is that the human mouth is considered to be one of the dirtiest places on the planet. bacteria is ALWAYS present, even after a thorough dental cleaning, and the chances of getting somebody sick with any amount of other nasty things are very high. it is recommended that those who have been bitten by a human (and had skin broken) receive a tetanus shot and possibly undergo treatment with antibiotics.
remember, blood play and biting are not games to be played carelessly. if you DO plan to share blood with a partner, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE be safe. get tested; be monogamous; use your head.........
so, what CAN I do with these fangs?
HAVE FUN!!! (yes, even after that last sermon i know there are a whole lot of hoots and hollers to be had by all)
i get a lot of requests regarding permanent fangs. however, with the background i have had working in dentistry, i have learned that the permanent addition of fangs is not only very expensive, it is also simply a bad idea. the human mouth has evolved to a truly omnivorous state, phasing out the need for extended canines. although many people are still born with longer eye teeth, me included, it has become common practice to shave them down. longer ANY teeth can cause malocclusion, an improper fit of the jaw when closed. this can cause permanent shifting of the teeth that are in greater contact with the longer teeth. this is why longer teeth are shaved down in preparation for braces.
also, if the teeth are too long, you may chip, break, or even lose the longer tooth, or any of the teeth in contact with it if you happen to sustain an impact to the mouth, or chew to heavily.
you must also take buxism into consideration. most people grind their teeth when they sleep, and if your teeth are too long, they may wear down whatever teeth they are in contact with. this can cause dentin exposure, TMJ, and a whole other array of problems that really aren't worth the "look" of permanent fangs. this again is why i choose to use acrylic instead of porcelain or metal; those materials are just as rigid as your natural teeth and these things can happen even with removable teeth.
i'm sorry to sound so negative about this procedure, and I know that people very frequently have it done, but unless you have SHORT IMPLANTS put in, you're just asking for troubles. if you want to spend the $2000, ask your dentist or keep searching the web. my humble position on the subject is that permanent fangs are not a realistic option.
1 . please store your fangs in the contact lens case i provide with each pair. these cases will minimize the potential for breakage while outside of the mouth and better distinguish between right and left. please keep your case clean; bacteria buildup may damage the fangs and cause an unpleasant odor.
2. please DO NOT EAT with your fangs in. they are not designed for this purpose. the cross movement of the jaw while chewing may put pressure on the fang tips, causing them to crack.
3. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU EVER SLEEP WITH YOUR FANGS IN!!!!!!!!! they WILL break, and you may inhale the pieces.
4. please attach and remove your fangs ONLY in the way demonstrated by the Teeth By Dnash at time of fitting, or on your care guide. proper removal and attachment is integral to long fang life and maintaining a secure fit.
5. some people require denture adhesive to secure their fangs. you will be told at the time of fitting whether or not YOU may need to. if you do, i recommend Poly grip. a tiny dab on the inside of the REAR of the fang will suffice. if adhesive is put on the inside of the FRONT, it will show through the body of the tooth resulting in “pink fang”. you MUST clean the adhesive off of the fangs every night after use to reduce bacterial buildup.
6. if you find that your fangs are a little lighter than the rest of your teeth, you may darken them slightly by soaking them in coffee. however, they should be soaked for only five minutes at a time to ensure that OVER staining does not result.
7. you may brush your fangs with regular toothpaste (except for whitening tooth pastes), being sure to clean the outside AND inside thoroughly after each day of use. left unclean, they may stain more rapidly, and the bacteria accumulation will result in an unpleasant odor. should the fangs become heavily stained, you may soak them in Efferent for a short while. please do not do this often, however, as the solution may cause porosity in the acrylic over time. PLEASE DO NOT SOAK THEM IN HYDROGEN PEROXIDE SOLUTION, OR USE A PEROXIDE BASED TOOTHPASTE. THE ACRYLIC WILL TURN PUMPKIN ORANGE , AND CANNOT BE RETURNED TO THE ORIGINAL SHADE. please do not use breath sprays such as Binaca, for they cause white spots on the acrylic which are hard to remove.
*** following these instructions and care tips will greatly lengthen the life of your fangs. employ good judgment in their use, and they will serve you well for years to come. enjoy....***
can you make fangs in other colors?
of course. i have a rainbow of colors to choose from. one of my first colored sets was tie-die...
can I get them in other styles?
sure thing. all i need is a picture, or for you to tell me what you want. i love to do custom work, and it gives YOU the opportunity to have something different and unique.
i can duplicate virtually any style of teeth you can imagine. just provide me with a picture and i can do it.
can you make fangs that glow in the dark?
yes again, i can make them glow blue, pink, or green. this is a favorite effect amongst my clients who frequent the rave scene.
what is the size difference between short, medium, and long?
short fangs are really subtle, the preferred length for ladies, and more conservative people who like to wear them to work without calling too much attention to themselves. strike that... if you're wearing fangs to work, i'll put money you're already beyond that step. anyway, they are easily hidden until you snarl. GREAT for shock value, and they look the most natural. medium fangs are a little longer. usually just a little harder to hide, but a great effect because people can see just a glimpse of fang whenever you speak. great for leaving people a little uneasy if you don't let them in on the secret.
long fangs are simply THERE. that is it, end of story. they are usually pretty hard to hide and VERY frightening to people who don't know they're caps. they usually don't impede speech, but they can be a bit much for small mouths.
extra long...... well, if you really want 'em.
all lengths are relative to the size of the mouth they are going in to. that is why they are custom. a long fang to one person may be a short fang to another. i also make recommendations sometimes on the proper length because some peoples mouths don't allow for overly long fangs, i.e., a strong cross bite or under bite.
how long does it take to get them?
each pair of teeth takes about an hour to make, give or take any problems you have with your mouth. everything is done right in front of you, and when we're done, your fangs are ready to take with you, NO WAITING!!! in some cases such as multiple sets, the time per pair may be even less.
as far as mail order, i usually book my time for one day a week, so it will generally take a few weeks to get your fangs back unless you specify a rush order.
very, very carefully.
If you have any questions after you have been through the site AND the FAQ, please feel free to email me and i’ll get back to you.
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