Restorative Dentistry

What If My Dental Insurance Doesn’t Cover Dental Implants?

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Categories: Dental Implants, Restorative Dentistry

dental implant financing Provo

For years, the dental industry has been advocating implants as the preferable tooth restoration option in most circumstances.

But many dental insurance providers don’t cover tooth implants. The dental insurance industry seems to be stuck in 1970. For example, many insurers will cover dental bridges.

Clearly, dental insurance companies rarely make coverage decisions based on what is best for the patient.

However, you shouldn’t give up on tooth implants if your dental insurer doesn’t cover them. You may be able to get coverage for part of the procedure. Or your medical insurance may cover part of the treatment program.

What to do if your dental insurer doesn’t cover tooth implants

  • Have your implant dentist provide a detailed implant treatment plan in writing
  • Armed with your treatment plan, talk to both your dental insurance company and your medical insurance provider
  • Ask your dental insurance provider if they will give you an allowance equal to the cost of a bridge or traditional dentures
  • Ask your dental insurance provider if they will cover the cost of the crown(s)
  • If your tooth loss has medical complications, your health insurance provider might cover some elements of the implant treatment
  • Consider switching dental insurance providers–if your employer offers more than one dental option, contact the other provider(s) to find out if they cover implants
  • Pay for tooth implants instead of premiums: consider not renewing your dental insurance and use the money saved toward the cost of implants
  • Look into dental implant-specific insurance–some organizations are filling a need in the industry by offering dental insurance designed specifically for tooth implants and related services
  • Ask Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry about financing and payment options

Dental implants are a wise investment in your health and quality of life. If you need implants but your insurance doesn’t cover them, talk to us at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry.

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604

Root Canal vs Dental Implant

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Categories: Dental Implants, Restorative Dentistry

Utah County root canals vs tooth implants

In this post from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT, we are going to talk about root canals, tooth extraction, and dental implants.

When a tooth’s nerve and pulp becomes infected, we make a judgment call: whether to try saving the tooth with root canal therapy, or extracting it.

Sometimes patients think an extraction is the best choice. Can’t they just have the tooth pulled, and replaced with a dental implant? Whether that’s because root canals have a bad reputation and implants have a good one, or it’s something else entirely, we couldn’t say.

The truth is that extracting a tooth is a traumatic procedure. It’s extremely invasive, for one thing. For another, extractions may allow more bad bacteria to get into the bloodstream.

Performing a root canal is actually the better way to go. It’s true that most people associate them with pain. But that’s a myth; modern root canals are about like getting a cavity filled, in terms of patient discomfort. Better still, they allow you to keep your natural tooth. That is always preferable!

Dental implants are state-of-the-art in tooth replacement, and a revolutionary development in dentistry. But it’s a myth to think they’re a better option than extraction. A dental implant would mean more time in the dentist’s chair and a lot more cost.

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT, we save a lot of teeth and help a lot of people. Patients from American Fork and Lehi also come to us for emergency dental care. Contact us today!

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604

 

There Is Hope For Denture Wearers

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Categories: Dental Health, Dental Implants, Restorative Dentistry

Utah County tooth implants

The condition of your teeth has a big impact on your quality of life. Denture wearers understand this all too well. Now there is a better option than conventional dentures: implant-supported dentures from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT.

Conventional dentures rest against the gums. They can irritate soft tissue, and make breathing, eating, tasting food, talking, and laughing difficult. Imagine dentures that are attached to the jaw, almost like natural teeth. Sound too good to be true?

Implant-supported dentures are already worn successfully by hundreds of thousands of people. A dental implant is a titanium post that is placed in the jaw, where it fuses with the bone. One implant can support a single artificial tooth, while multiple posts can support a full dental arch.

Implant-supported dentures have a number of advantages over traditional dentures.

  • Increased Stability: Because they are attached to titanium posts that have fused with the jaw, people have much greater biting and chewing power.
  • Natural Appearance: They look more like natural teeth, and are easier to care for.
  • Durability: Because they are physically attached to the jaw, implants are long-lasting.
  • A Lack of Bone Recession: With traditional dentures, the bone around missing tooth roots begin to deteriorate. The titanium posts replace some of the tooth roots, so the bone is preserved.

Implant-supported dentures can transform your life. Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT has placed them in patients from American Fork and Lehi, who also come to us for cosmetic dentistry options. Contact us today!

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604

ArticleID 6844

What are Implant-Stabilized Dentures?

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Categories: Dental Health, Dental Implants, Restorative Dentistry

Provo dentures secured with implants

Imagine being able to replace your missing teeth with dentures that are so stable, they seem more like natural teeth than ordinary dentures ever could. With implant-supported dentures from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT you don’t have to imagine: they’re here.

Anyone who wears ordinary dentures knows how difficult it is to keep them secure in the mouth. Everyday things like eating and speaking. That’s not an issue with implant-supported dentures.

The reason for that is that they are secured in the mouth by dental implants, which themselves are part of the jaw. Implants are metal posts that are placed in the jaw. Within a few months of placement they actually fuse with the bone and become a solid foundation for a dental arch.

Patients with implant-supported dentures:

  • Can eat virtually anything
  • Rarely need them adjusted
  • Have more confidence
  • Have an improved quality of life

Millions of Americans have already benefitted from dental implants. At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT we’ve placed them in patients from American Fork and Lehi, who also come to us for general and cosmetic dentistry. Contact us today!

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604

 

ArticleID 8541

Replace Old Silver Fillings

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Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Health, Restorative Dentistry

white fillings Provo

Superficial cuts in the skin subside without a trace, infections are wiped out with antibiotics, broken bones mend, and inflamed tissues subside. Our teeth, unfortunately, can’t regenerate. Decay can be halted in its progress, but scientists are still years away from actual enamel regeneration. That’s why the team at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT always emphasizes preventative dentistry.

The healthiest mouths have all teeth intact and free of current or former decay. But how many smiles can boast such an admirable record? Very few. The stark reality is that most people get one or more cavities over the course of their lifetime.

In fact, most individuals probably don’t even know someone who has never had a cavity. Tooth decay is second only to the common cold as the most frequent health dilemma in childhood. When we reach middle age, many of us have even had a root canal or two.

At our practice, we help with cavities and other ailments, and always make sure to send you home with a toothbrush and proper care information. This way, you can prevent the next visit with consistent, proper brushing and flossing.

Restorations Have Come a Long Way

For those who are not lucky enough to have a good dental history, modern restorations might be the answer. Restorative dentistry has changed over the years, and new dental treatments have many advantages over those in years past. You might recall a time when fillings were all silver and did not blend in with the existing enamel.

Nowadays, we can match the exact tone of your natural smile with tooth-colored fillings. Combine it with teeth whitening, and you’ve got yourself a brand-new smile!. In general, restorations are made of stronger and more natural-looking materials these days, so you don’t have to worry about anyone noticing your dental work.

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT, we offer complete general, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry and focus on patient comfort. Patients from American Fork and Lehi visit us and leave with brighter, healthier smiles. Contact us today!

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604

 

Want to Fill Those Gaps in Your Smile?

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Categories: Dental Health, Dental Implants, Restorative Dentistry

tooth replacement Provo

Do you have gaps in your smile? You’re not alone! Missing or failing teeth are among the most common problems we treat at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT.

Missing teeth not only detract from an attractive smile; they also do a number on your self-confidence. Do you find yourself covering your mouth when you laugh, or smiling for pictures with your lips tightly sealed? 

That’s no way to live. We provide multiple ways to maintain, or regain, your ability to eat, drink, speak, laugh, and smile in selfies.

We help hundreds of patients restore missing teeth. If you are interested in tooth restoration, we invite you to schedule a consultation. Your consultation will include a treatment plan to restore missing teeth, an outline of the cost of required procedures, and a schedule for completing the services. 

Tooth restoration includes a wide array of services. A dental bridge can help rejoin a gap between teeth. An artificial tooth, that is indistinguishable from the real thing, is attached to the surrounding teeth. Dental bridges have been used successfully for decades.

A dental implant, on the other hand, consists of an artificial tooth AND an artificial root, usually made of biocompatible titanium. It’s a much more extensive procedure, but the results last longer, and look and feel more natural, than other restoration options. With local anesthesia, your dentist anchors the artificial root into the jaw bone. In the following months, it integrates and meshes with the jaw bone tissue.

There are three components to a dental implant: the artificial root or post, the connecting abutment, and the final crown or denture. An implant is often the most successful restoration, as it offers beauty, strength, and natural function. In addition, it offers something many patients don’t realize is important: protection from bone recession that often take places at the site of a missing tooth.

Finally, there’s dentures. Most people have heard of them. They consists of a plate holding artificial teeth, that can be removed by the wearer. These are individually-constructed and can contain varying numbers of teeth. Sometimes the entire set of upper and lower teeth have to be extracted, and a custom denture created. Modern dentistry offers a myriad of custom dental implant-denture combinations to restore missing teeth.

If implants and other restorative dentistry options at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT sound too good to be true, we invite you to visit us and see for yourself! Patients from all over American Fork and Lehi also come to us for cosmetic dentistry options like tooth whitening. Contact us today!

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604

ArticleID 8679

Missing Teeth? Don’t Miss Out On A Beautiful Smile

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Categories: Dental Health, Dental Implants, Restorative Dentistry

Provo cosmetic dentistry

If you have lost one or more of your natural teeth, dental implants from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT may be just what you’ve been hoping for.

Why is that? Dental implants support replacement teeth that look and function like the real thing. Not only that, they help to preserve your jaw bone, which can deteriorate after you lose teeth.

A dental implant, strictly speaking, is not a replacement tooth. It’s a titanium post that is inserted into your jaw. Because it fuses with the bone, it becomes a part of your body. An implant is strong enough to support an artificial tooth, just like a natural tooth root. Several implants can support a bridge, and even a full dental arch.

Other artificial tooth options, including conventional dentures, need to be replaced every few years. This is because the bone beneath it gradually deterioriates.

Dental implants, on the other hand, can last a lifetime. They prevent bone loss, because the implant is part of the jawbone. Furthermore, the artificial tooth or teeth attached to the implant will never decay.

Replacement teeth supported by dental implants from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT are indistinguishable from other teeth, and most people won’t realize they’re there. You may forget, too! We’ve placed them in patients from American Fork and Lehi, who also come to our practice for cosmetic dentistry options. Contact us today!

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604

 

Are Dental Implants Experimental?

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Categories: Dental Health, Dental Implants, Restorative Dentistry

tooth implants Orem

Dental implants are tooth replacement marvels that have been placed in millions of people. They look and function just like the real thing, and are available at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT.

Technically, dental implants are not replacement teeth. The actual implant is a titanium post that is inserted into your jaw. In a few months’ time, it fuses with the bone. One implant is a solid support for one artificial tooth. Several can support a bridge or full dental arch.

Humans have tinkered with implanting teeth for thousands of years. The origins of modern dental implants date back to the early 1950s, when it was discovered that titanium can fuse with bone.

An implant was successfully placed in a human in 1965. The technology has steadily improved, and, today, dental implants have gone from experimental to mainstream.

It’s the ability to fuse with the bone that make implants so successful. Some studies have shown a success rate as high as 98%! Cases of the body rejecting them are rare.

Dental implants dramatically improve your ability to bite and chew. In most patients it is normal to near-normal. They restore your smile, too. But they also prevent the bone loss common to people with missing teeth.

Are dental implants experimental? Far from it! At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT, we have placed implants on patients from American Fork and Lehi. People also come to us for general dentistry. Contact us today!

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604

 

ArticleID 8258

Think It’s Not Necessary To Replace Missing Back Teeth?

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Categories: Dental Health, Dental Implants, Restorative Dentistry

dental implants Provo

Sometimes when people lose a back tooth, they wonder whether they should bother doing anything about it. After all, the gap doesn’t show when they smile and there are other teeth to do the chewing. Why not leave it be and save some money? Actually, there are several very good reasons to replace a back tooth with a dental implant from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT.

The adjacent tooth (or teeth) may start shifting. If a tooth tilts, moves, or rotates, it can impact the bite. The unopposed tooth can also move, though it generally moves outward from the bone (over-eruption). Teeth that are displaced can become more vulnerable to gum disease, decay, or TMJ pain.

The underlying bone will begin to atrophy. Without the tooth root, the jaw bone shrinks. This changes the dimensions of the face and gives it a sunk-in look due to a decline in supporting bone. The vertical shortening progresses and becomes more pronounced as you get older.

There will be additional stress on the teeth that take over the chewing functions. This can bring about excessive wear, fracture, or pain.

If you have a missing back tooth and want to learn about dental implants, call Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT. People from American Fork and Lehi come to us for dental implants and for comprehensive general dentistry services. Contact us today!

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604

 

ArticleID 7768

What If My Tooth Gets Knocked Out?

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Categories: Dental Health, Restorative Dentistry

tooth injury Provo

It can happen in an instant: a blow to the mouth so violent, it knocks out a tooth. This is an authentic dental emergency and you need immediate care, like what we offer at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT.

If you venture on to a playing field, even if it’s only for touch football, it can happen. It might also be the result of a household accident. Regardless, if it happens, here it what you should do:

  1. Find the Tooth
    You may be in panic mode, so try to remember asking for help. When you find the tooth, handle it carefully. Keep it in the best condition possible. We may be able to reinsert it.
  2. Don’t Touch the Root!
    Remember to NOT touch the tooth by the root. Only hold it by the crown (the chewing part). It’s okay to gently rinse the tooth in water, but don’t scrub it or remove any tissue fragments. This is crucial and bears repeating: do not remove any tissue from the tooth. That bloody goo is valuable. It can help your tooth re-attach. At this point, the best place for the tooth is back in the socket. If you decide to put it there, place it gently. It may not be possible, so don’t force it. If it’s an injured child, don’t even try.
  3. Keep the Tooth Safe
    Holding the tooth between the lip and gum or under the tongue is a good option, but be careful you don’t swallow it. If neither of these is possible, place the tooth in a cup of milk, or wrap it in cloth moistened with saliva.
  4. Get To The Dentist ASAP!
    Remember, a knocked out tooth is a clear-cut dental emergency, and you’re in a race against the clock. If you receive treatment within an hour, chances are good the tooth can be saved.

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT we offer emergency dentistry, along with complete general dentistry services. Call ahead if you can, but if there’s a knocked out tooth, getting here as soon as you can is the main thing! We serve satisfied patients from American Fork and Lehi. Request an appointment today!

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604

 

ArticleID 8157