Dental Implants Are Truly Life-Changing

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Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Implants

tooth implants Orem

Patients who are thinking about a dental implant from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT often ask how long they last. An implant is a significant investment, after all. Do they really last a lifetime, like people say? The answer is yes, but an explanation is in order.

A dental implant is not a replacement tooth, but the titanium post that is inserted into the jaw. Titanium is well-suited for implants, and cases of rejection by the body are rare. A big factor in how long the implant lasts comes down to how well you take care of it.

Dental implants are life-changing! They can restore your full bite force, help you regain your confidence, and add healthy scaffolding for the rest of your healthy teeth.

Even better, with regular checkups and proper care at home, they can last a lifetime! When you get your implant, we will have specific instructions for daily care. For most patients, we recommend brushing and flossing twice a day.

Dental implants like those from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT have become the tooth replacement solution of choice. People from American Fork and Lehi also come to our office for other cosmetic dentistry options. If you are interested in learning more, check out our post next week on the recovery time for dental implants. 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 8546

Suspect A Bite Problem?

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Categories: Clear braces, Cosmetic Dentistry

malocclusion examination Provo

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT, we know that a common dental problem tends to go undiagnosed for years. This is because people chalk it up to genetics and don’t even realize it’s a problem. The problem we’re talking about is, of course, malocclusion. 

Literally meaning “bad bite,” it is a term coined by Edward Angle, a pioneer in modern orthodontics. Malocclusion is fairly common in the population as a whole but often, the misalignment is so slight that it causes no issues. Sometimes, however, it can cause symptoms like headaches, neck pain, and tooth pain.

When you combine multiple teeth on two arches and a jaw joint with a considerable range of motion, it is easy to see how these elements can fail to align properly. In fact, it is a wonder that they work correctly for most people – allowing them to talk, eat, and breathe without giving it a second thought.

There are many causes of malocclusion – some originating with the teeth and some originating with the jaw. Misshapen teeth, extracted teeth, impacted teeth, crowded teeth, and widely spaced teeth can influence the bite. Injury to the jaw can also cause malocclusion as well as improperly fitting restorations and other dental appliances.

Children with a normal bite can develop bite dilemmas with prolonged pacifier use, thumb sucking, or bottle drinking. In rarer cases, oral tumors can move a bite out of alignment.

The treatment for malocclusion depends on the cause. Invisalign® clear braces can move teeth into alignment to fix bite issues. Overcrowding often requires extraction of one or more teeth. Misshapen teeth that affect the bite can often be corrected with crowns or dental bonding.

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT, we are ready to discuss your options and design a dental plan to deal with your malocclusion. Don’t hesitate. Patients from American Fork and Lehi come to us for cosmetic and 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 6975

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

The Five Stages Of A Cavity

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Categories: Dental Health, General Dentistry

stages of a cavity Provo

In this message from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT we discuss something about cavities you might not know. You may have heard that once tooth enamel is eroded, it’s gone forever. This is not entirely true. In the earliest stage of enamel erosion, a cavity can be reversed.

There are five main stages to cavities. Our team has listed them below to keep you informed.

Stage 1: Attack of the Little White Spots
Reversible: Yes

The tooth begins to show signs of damage. White spots appear. They are under the surface of the enamel, but you can see them from the outside. Demineralization will result in these spots. When they occur in children’s molars, it can be easy for parents to miss them. That’s why daily dental hygiene and regular dental exams are crucial. At this stage, it’s possible to halt a cavity before it needs a filling. Dental hygiene can stop the erosion. Fluoride can remineralize the enamel.

Stage 2: Enamel Decay
Reversible: No, but the tooth can probably be saved

Did you know that tooth decay begins under the surface of the enamel? The visible enamel is intact for the first part of Stage 2. Then the hole busts through the surface.

Stage 3: Going Deeper Into the Dentin
Reversible: No, but if you act fast, the tooth might not need a root canal.

The decay breaks down the enamel and hits the soft dentin layer that lies below. This is an advanced cavity. The good news? The decay hasn’t yet reached the pulp. It will, however, start to cause pain.

Stage 4: The Decay Hits the Pulp
Reversible: No. Must be treated with a root canal.

Hopefully, no patient will ever suffer this stage. It is very painful. The infection has reached the pulp where the nerves are located. Unfortunately, a root canal is the only treatment option. Unless, of course, the tooth is extracted.

Stage 5: Abscess Distress
Reversible: No, and it can be life-threatening.

The decay and infection have traveled through the pulp and out the end. In the final stage, the infection drills through the tip, after which it reaches the tissue and bone, surrounding the tooth root. The area swells up and it’s exceptionally painful. It’s also hazardous for anyone’s health. This is a serious infection that can spread to other parts of the body. Abscesses originating in a tooth can be fatal.

Protect yourself and your loved ones from tooth decay so you all have a healthy smile for life. Patients from throughout American Fork and Lehi come to Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT 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 8247

Don’t Like Dental Visits? Go Anyway.

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Categories: Dental Health, General Dentistry

Helping Provo Love Dental Visits

It’s no secret that many dread going to the dentist. Whether they associate dental visits with shame, pain, or financial drain, they avoid it at all costs. At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT, we encourage all our patients to see their dentist regularly. This way, you can prevent more uncomfortable dental procedures, like fillings and root canals.

Though it sounds backwards, the truth is that you protect against dental pain by seeing your dentist regularly–even if you hate dental visits!

If you have naturally healthy teeth, you may not realize your amazing good fortune. After all, you can eat whatever you want. You aren’t self-conscious about stained, chipped, or missing teeth. Tooth pain doesn’t interrupt your sleep.

Lucky individuals with great teeth may do fine with limited dental treatment in their twenties and thirties. What we’ve observed, though, is that, eventually, avoiding exams and cleanings catches up with you.

This is especially true for individuals with dental risk factors. These include smoking, recreational drug use, severe alcohol consumption, inadequate oral hygiene, teeth grinding, poor eating habits or crooked teeth.

Notice that some of these things are a conscious choice, and others, like crooked teeth or teeth grinding, may be unavoidable. Regardless, most people who forego dental exams and cleanings eventually experience oral problems.

The first thing that may come to your mind is cavities. While this is an issue for some middle-aged people, it’s actually not the most frequent dental condition. Gum disease earns the dubious honor as the top cause of tooth loss in U.S. adults.

If you have neglected your oral care needs, we invite you to make an appointment at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT. We specialize in general dentistry and oral care. Patients from American Fork and Lehi also come to us for dental implants. 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 8686

Are You Watching For Cavities?

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Categories: Dental Health, General Dentistry

prevent cavities Provo

Tooth decay is one of the most common health problems there is. Are you doing everything you can to prevent it? In this post from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT we have some practical ideas that can help.

Avoid Refined Sugar

This one is probably obvious, but avoiding sugar should be your number one strategy to prevent cavities. Sugar and starch forms plaque, that sticky film that can coat the teeth. The acids in plaque start the process that forms cavities.

Xylitol

Xylitol is a type of sugar alcohol that occurs naturally in some plants. It is not the same kind of alcohol that makes people drunk, so it’s okay for anyone who is avoiding that type of alcohol. It is popular as a sweetener and can actually be good for dental health.

Brushing

Daily brushing and flossing is still your best bet for preventing cavities. It cleans off the plaque that leads to cavities, and also helps to prevent gum disease.

Along with brushing, regular checkups at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT help you maintain good dental health. People from American Fork and Lehi come to our practice 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 8555

Unexpected Stress? Don’t Forget Your Smile

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Categories: Dental Health, Family Dentistry

Utah County cosmetic dental and tooth implants

When you suddenly have to juggling a lot of issues, some are bound to get dropped. Perhaps you are going through an intense family situation or have become the caregiver for an ailing parent. Perhaps you took on a second job or started night school to earn an advanced degree. Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT understands that life can be hectic!

Not every stressor is negative. A new baby, marriage, career, or move can be exciting but overwhelming. It’s okay – and sometimes helpful – to drop some of the balls. You can probably let another parent take over room mother duties for a few weeks, forego a haircut, or skip poker night until things calm down.

However, when it comes to oral health, it should always remain a priority. Sometimes you feel too exhausted to brush or floss, or to attend check-ups and cleanings. Our team wants to remind you the possible consequences of neglecting your smile.

  1. Tooth decay
  2. Gum disease
  3. Tooth and gum pain
  4. Bad breath
  5. Infection
  6. Tooth loss

Your plate is already full – you don’t want to add poor oral health and the associated expense and inconvenience required to treat advanced dilemmas. At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT, we offer general and cosmetic dentistry to patients from American Fork and Lehi and are ready to help you safeguard your dental health. 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

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

Looking for a Long-Term Tooth Whitening Solution?

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Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Health, Teeth Whitening

top cosmetic dentist Provo

Are your teeth yellowish or gray? Have you tried a whitening product without success? Do you have tetracycline stains? At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT, we see patients with these problems every day.

The goods news? You don’t have to live with a subpar smile. Porcelain veneers can transform your teeth and create a breathtaking smile that will delight you for years to come.

What are Porcelain Veneers?

Veneers are thin shells made from durable, translucent porcelain or composite resin. They are custom-made for each patient and are used to improve the appearance of teeth. Veneers can be made any shade whiter than your remaining teeth.

How is a Veneer Different than a Dental Crown?

Unlike a dental crown, which covers the entire visible portion of a tooth, a veneer covers just the front part of the tooth. When your veneer is affixed to your tooth, your dentist only removes a tiny bit of enamel–unlike a crown, which requires the removal of more tooth structure. Therefore, veneers are the most conservative long-term tooth whitening procedure.

Not only do veneers brighten your teeth, they are also used to repair teeth that are chipped, cracked or slightly crooked!

How are Dental Veneers Made?

The veneer procedure is similar to that for any restoration. First, your dentist will make an impression of your teeth. Next, a dental technician will use the model to fabricate the veneers, so you can be sure of a custom fit. You will work with your dentist to choose an appropriate color for your skin tone.

Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT offers all the services you need to attain a a breathtaking smile. People from American Fork and Lehi come to us for this and other cosmetic dentistry options. If you are looking for a dental team that is informed and prioritizes direct communication, 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 8671

Want To Perk Up Your Smile?

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Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Health

Provo teeth whitening

If you would like to perk up your smile, consider having your teeth whitened at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT. The results may surprise you!

A Smile You Want to Show Off

A whiter smile can dramatically improve your smile. Many of our patients feel more self-confident in personal and professional settings with their new, whiter smiles. Who doesn’t need another reason to smile?

Of course, there are a lot of over-the-counter whitening products in any drugstore, and most of them can be effective. Toothpastes generally take only the surface stains off of your teeth, and you may be disappointed with the end result.

Whitening strips, on the other hand, do a better job. They use hydrogen peroxide to remove stains. Bleaching trays are also good. But none of them are as strong as professional teeth whitening.

Professional teeth whitening at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT delivers consistent, incredible results. Patients from American Fork and Lehi know they can improve their smiles with our full range of cosmetic dentistry procedures. 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