No Cavities? Thank Your Parents

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Categories: General Dentistry

how to prevent cavities Provo

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry, we stay abreast of new discoveries in the exciting field of dentistry and occasionally share interesting facts with our patients. Today’s post focuses on new findings in an intriguing field of research: genetic dentistry.

“About 60% of the risk for tooth decay appears to be due to genetic factors.” Mary L. Marazita, director of the Center for Craniofacial and Dental Genetics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine.1

Whoa! Did she say 60%? That’s huge. You might be thinking: “That’s why I brush and floss but still get cavities.” Or, better yet, you might be thinking, “No wonder I have never had a cavity but eat candy often and occasionally go to bed without brushing.”

A recent article on CNN.com highlights tooth decay risk factors that have a genetic link1:

Enamel Strength
Your genes play an essential role in the composition of your tooth enamel. Soft enamel is more cavity prone.

Sugar Cravings
Whether or not you love sugar has a genetic basis. Now you can blame your parents if you pop M&Ms all day. (But it still isn’t good for your teeth or waistline!)

Chemical Composition of Saliva
Your saliva can protect against cavities – if it properly metabolizes vital minerals and vitamins like calcium, potassium, iron, and Vitamin C. Your genes affect your saliva’s power to prevent decay.

Immune Response to Bacteria
We don’t like to think about the harmful bacteria in our mouth but, hopefully, our immune system is ever-vigilant at fighting their constant attempts to cause decay and gum disease. The strength of your immune system is determined, in part, by genetics.

In the next few decades, scientists in the emerging specialty of genetic dentistry may play a key role in the development of new cavity prevention techniques.

The purpose of this article is not to encourage Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry patients to be lax about oral hygiene if their parents have strong teeth. Nor to cause those whose teeth decay easily to throw their hands up in despair and resign themselves to a toothless mouth.

Proper oral hygiene is critical for all of us, regardless of our genetic predisposition to tooth decay. You have the power to be energetic about your oral health, regardless of the genes you inherited. Whether you have frequent dental check-ups, consistent fluoride intake, effective brushing and flossing techniques, and proper nutrition, is up to you.

If you need a thorough dental exam, an expert dental cleaning, a refresher course on proper brushing and flossing, or want to improve your smile with innovative cosmetic dentistry, call Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry at 801-374-0070 to schedule a consultation.

1Paul Frysh, “Bad teeth? Blame your genes,” CNN, July 3, 2014, http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/03/health/tooth-decay-causes/, accessed on June 24, 2015

The “Wow Factor” At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry In Provo

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Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry

sleep dentistry Orem

Hello to our valued Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry patients! If you haven’t stopped by our blog in a while, we welcome you. It has been a great month at our caring Provo dentistry practice.

We continue to achieve fantastic results with our precision smile makeovers. Drs. Hammond has been skillfully using veneers, porcelain crowns, short term braces, teeth whitening, dental bridges, gum grafting, crown lengthening, and dental bonding to create unbelievably beautiful smiles. If you would like a perfect smile, call us at 801-374-0070 today to schedule a smile design consultation.

Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry cosmetic dentistry patients in Provo have absolutely no regrets about their investment in a remarkable smile. “Wow! That was fast! Wow! That was painless. Wow! My smile is amazing!”

There are few physical features that can be transformed as quickly as your smile (okay, maybe your hair) – just think of how long it takes to tighten your abs or lose weight. Dramatic improvements can sometimes be achieved in just one visit.

If you have never seen photos of some of our Provo smile transformation patients, you are probably not aware of how dramatic the results can be. There is virtually no dental issue that can’t be improved with state-of-the art cosmetic dentistry at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry.

Do you want to look younger, more attractive, and more confident? Consider an expert cosmetic dental smile makeover from one of the top cosmetic dentists in Utah. See www.cosmeticdentistryutahcounty.com for more information or call today!

Aesthetic & General Dentistry -Dr. Chris Hammond

 

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E
Provo, UT
84604

 

Crooked Teeth And Cavities

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Categories: Smile Makeover

fast braces Provo

Many dental patients in and around Orem hold the belief that orthodontists only change the look of your teeth. Consequently, they think that the only reason to find an orthodontist in the Utah County, American Fork, or Lehi area is if you are interested in cosmetic dentistry.

The fact is that your ability to clean your teeth is enhanced when your teeth are straight and uncrowded.

When uneven teeth begin to crowd together, it becomes difficult to make critical daily cleanings effective. And, when your teeth aren’t cleaned properly, problems with plaque buildup, cavities, and gum disease ordinarily ensue.

If your teeth are crowding or if your bite is not aligned, then you need to visit our office. We can go over the options available at our office and even evaluate whether or not you need to see an orthodontist.

Also, if you feel that the appearance of your teeth is an issue, ask your dentist about a smile makeover.  There are numerous innovative cosmetic dentistry procedures executed daily. These include teeth whitening, veneers, dental implants, crowns, and more!

Hello, my name is Drs. Dr. Hammond. My caring local dental practice, Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry, is located at 3575 N 100 E in Provo. I am enthusiastic about healthy, celebrity-caliber smiles. We are currently accepting new patients, so if you are in or around Orem, give us a call at 801-374-0070.

Our caring team can answer any questions you have about our top services, which are:

sedation dentistry
Invisalign
mini implants
dental crowns
porcelain veneers

We hope to see you soon!

Drs. Dr. Hammond
Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry
3575 N 100 E
Provo, Utah
801-374-0070
https://www.cosmeticdentistryutahcounty.com/about-us/

Are Dental Veneers Reversible?

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Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry

prepless veneers

With many Provo residents looking to improve their smile, porcelain veneers are a successful option in the Utah cosmetic dental community. Unlike a crown that completely covers the tooth, a veneer is a super thin layer of a very substantial porcelain, composite bonding, or ceramic. When bonded to a tooth, the veneer creates a natural, translucent, and perfect new surface. It improves the appearance of the visible portion of your tooth instantly.

To begin, you will need a consultation with your dentist, who should have skill in cosmetic procedures. You should examine what you do not like about your smile and know how you want it improved. Veneers may not be ideal for you. Other cosmetic dental procedures are available that may be a better fit for the characteristics you wish to change.

Porcelain veneers can fix many minor to moderate issues, including the size, shape, and color of your teeth. Gaps between teeth can be filled, as well as the lengthening or shortening of teeth to complete your attractive smile.

Your dentist will also discuss both types of veneers: “traditional” and “prepless.” Before a traditional veneer is put on the tooth, the dentist first removes a very thin layer of enamel. Enamel cannot be replaced, which is one reason this method is irreversible.

The second method is called “no-prep” or “prepless.” With this type, enamel removal is generally not necessary. When no enamel is removed, the treatment can be reversible. However, this procedure has specific criteria.

Furthermore, it is possible to use both types of veneers for multiple teeth, depending on the condition of each tooth.

Your dentist will help you evaluate your unique needs and advise you on how to reach your goals. Once you and your dentist have created a dental plan, your dentist will work with a laboratory and dental team to assure everything is carried out as discussed.

If you do not have a cosmetic dentist, we invite you to visit our extraordinary practice at 3575 N 100 E Ste 200 in Provo. Chris Hammond is a successful smile makeover artist and can help you get the smile you’ve always wanted. Call 801-374-0070 today to schedule a cosmetic dental consultation.

 

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604

 

7 Ways To Fix A Tooth

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Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry

fix broken tooth Provo

In a perfect world, each of your priceless teeth would stay healthy, strong, and brilliantly white throughout your life. The truth is, however, that most Utah men and women will need to restore a tooth at some point.

A tooth can be compromised by tooth decay, enamel erosion, a chip or crack, gum disease, or injury. Sometimes old restorations break and need to be replaced or root canals performed decades ago develop an abscess.

Here are 7 different options for repairing a damaged tooth:

Dental Bonding
Bonding, officially called direct composite veneers, is used to fix minor cosmetic issues – small chips, cracks, discoloration, and spaces between teeth. A skilled cosmetic dentist applies moldable tooth-colored composite resin and shapes as desired. The resin is then cured with a special light to harden and adhere tightly to the tooth. Composite bonding is usually the most economical option for improving healthy teeth with minor cosmetic issues.

Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are wafer-thin tooth-shaped fronts that are permanently bonded to your natural teeth. They are used when the underlying tooth is structurally sound and free of tooth decay. A beautiful veneer can cover a chip or crack or repair the alignment of a tooth that appears slightly off kilter as compared to surrounding teeth.

Fillings
Modern white fillings are strong and inconspicuous. A minimally invasive filling at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry leaves you with more of nature’s optimal dental material — your own enamel and dentin. We can also replace old amalgam fillings with white fillings. This makes your teeth look a lot better every time you open your mouth. Get rid of all that metal!

Inlays and Onlays
A traditional filling is shaped and molded after it is applied to the tooth. Because inlays and onlays are constructed in a dental lab, they are usually called indirect fillings. A less invasive inlay or onlay may be used instead of a traditional filling or, in some cases, a crown. Inlays are applied to just the center of the biting surface of a tooth (not to a cusp or point) and are typically smaller than onlays. An onlay restores one or more cusps of a tooth.

Crowns
A crown replaces the entire visible portion of the tooth, restoring appearance, durability, and function. A crown is generally needed for a tooth that has had a root canal, a tooth with acute decay, or as the replacement tooth in a dental bridge. Attaching a crown to the abutment is the final step of a tooth implant procedure. Crowns can be made of all metal (such as gold), porcelain-fused-to-metal, all ceramic, or all resin.

Soft Tissue Grafts
Gum recession puts teeth and underlying bone at risk. Soft tissue grafting can cover the exposed root of a tooth to restrict further damage. Gum surgery is also performed for cosmetic reasons such reshaping a gumline to eliminate a “gummy” smile.

Dental Implants
What if a tooth has to be extracted because it is beyond saving? For many Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry patients, a dental implant anchored into the bone is the ideal solution. A tooth implant consist of a strong metal post (artificial root), abutment (connecting piece), and beautiful crown. A dental implant had many advantages over a dental bridge. They are stronger, provide virtually natural function, prohibit bone recession, and do not impact the surrounding teeth. For patients with several missing teeth, custom-made implant-anchored dentures can be established in any configuration required.

For more details about any of these procedures, call Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry at 801-374-0070. Thanks for visiting the Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry blog. We appreciate your interest in our Provo dental practice.

Ask us for information about these services:

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604

 

Do I Need A Dental Cleaning If I Brush And Floss At Home?

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Categories: Dental Health

dental cleanings Provo

Today’s post focuses on professional dental cleanings. You might wonder if you need a professional dental cleaning if you already practice dental hygiene daily at home.

The answer is that both processes are important because they work in tandem to maintain oral health.

Dr. Chris Hammond encourages patients to practice preventative dentistry by:

Brushing
Flossing
Healthy diet – fruits, vegetables, legumes, and nuts
Regular dental cleanings
Regular checkups

Dental cleanings increase the effectiveness of your daily oral care by removing the plaque and tarter that can accumulate regardless of daily brushing and flossing. In fact, when plaque hardens, it can only be removed with the special tools used by a hygienist.

A hygienist will first use a vibrating ultrasonic tool to dislodge the largest pieces of tartar. This process may tickle a bit. The hygienist will then use tools with finer attachments to remove the smaller pieces of calculus. When all plaque and tartar is gone, polishing is the final step in the cleaning process.

The goal is to make your tooth surfaces as smooth as possible, to inhibit food particles from lodging in little spaces that are difficult to clean. If you are having an exam during the same visit, your technician may take dental x-rays. X-rays can reveal cavities while they are small and can be easily filled.

Let your hygienist know if your teeth are sensitive so he/she can make your cleaning as comfortable as possible. After the cleaning, a fluoride treatment may be given to help strengthen your teeth.

Before your hygienist leaves, you may want to ask if there are areas you can improve. Your hygienist can tell you which tooth surfaces had the most build-up. If the back teeth are presenting a problem, you can speak with Dr. Hammond about sealants.

If you have braces, you may want more frequent dental cleanings because food can easily lodge between the wires.

Call Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry at 801-374-0070 to schedule a professional cleaning today! Your smile will thank you.

Ask us for information about these services:

 

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, UT
84604

 

Avoid Sports Injuries: Protect Those Teeth!

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Categories: Dental Health

sports dentistry Provo

It is estimated that over 5 million teeth are knocked out yearly and a significant portion of these dental traumas occur on the playing field or court. Each dislodged tooth requires several trips to the dentist and hundreds of dollars in restoration expenses. Not to mention pain!

I’m Dr. Chris Hammond of Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry and I want to raise awareness of the importance of athletic mouth protection. I advise my patients to think of mouthguards as an important part of their protective gear. Most parents require their children to wear helmets when biking and shinguards while playing soccer. I encourage parents to emphasize the importance of mouth protection from your child’s very first 5 year-old T-ball game. And we all need to practice what we preach.

You are probably aware of the main types of mouthguards: ready-to-wear, boil and bite, and custom-fitted. The stock mouth protectors are pre-formed but are definitely not one-size-fits all and probably provide the least amount of protection. (Though they are better than nothing.)

You can find boil and bite mouth protectors at sporting goods stores. They are to be softened in water and then formed to the mouth (follow the manufacturer’s instructions).

Some dentists offer custom sports mouthguards that provide the highest level of protection and comfort. Mouth protectors that are comfortable are more likely to be worn by kids who complain about wearing a mouthguard. Ask your dentist about custom mouthguards.

Mouth protection is extremely essential for patients with braces or fixed bridge work. Some orthodontists recommend mouth protectors for lower teeth as well.

If you or your child has a sports-related dental emergency, call my Provo office immediately at 801-374-0070. I will do everything in my power to save the tooth but every second counts. Make sure you save all pieces of the tooth and bring them with you.

 

 

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200 Ste 200
Provo, UT
84604

 

Preventative Maintenance For Your Irreplaceable Smile

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Categories: Dental Health

Preventative Maintenance For Your Irreplaceable Smile In Provo

Hi, I’m Chris Hammond of Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry. If you are one of my existing patients, welcome back. If this is your first visit, I appreciate you stopping by.

My caring team and I love taking care of our highly regarded Provo, Utah County, American Fork, and Lehi patients.

Today’s article is for smiles that are overdue for a cleaning and exam.

During dental deep cleanings, our hygienists thoroughly remove the plaque and tartar above and below the gumline. By scaling and planing, they remove areas where bacteria can easily multiply. We are dedicated to preventative dentistry to keep your smile healthy and beautiful. If you are due for a cleaning, call us today at 801-374-0070 to schedule.

After your teeth have been cleaned, I perform a thorough examination. I check for overall tooth and gum health, the presence of cavities, gum pocket depth, bite issues, and signs of oral cancer.

Some Provo people mistakenly believe that they can skip dental visits if they don’t notice anything out of the ordinary. This attitude is risky. Many dental issues advance silently. When the patient experiences pain, much damage has been done. Gum disease, especially, often progresses unnoticed.

If you don’t have dental insurance, ask us about dental financing options. It is far less costly to prevent dental problems than to treat them after they have become severe.

If you perform regular auto maintenance, you understand the wisdom of prevention. Don’t you value your smile far more than your car? Call Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry today to schedule preventative maintenance for your irreplaceable smile.

 

 

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200 Ste 200
Provo, UT
84604

 

Beating Horrible Halitosis

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Categories: Dental Health

Provo lowest price teeth bleaching

“My neighbor’s bad breath is scaring me.”

I’m Chris Hammond with Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry. In business since 1967. My specialty is cosmetic dentistry. At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry we perform family dentistry and dental implants regularly. As a favor to Provo, Utah I’d like to take a few minutes to share with you some insight about bad breath and give your neighbors some places to start in improving or removing the offending odor.

Brushing just the teeth may not remove food particles between the teeth and up in the gums. Bacteria can grow and stink from hidden floss-only locations. Gently brushing the gums, sides of the mouth and the tongue in addition to the teeth may make the difference.

Also, the food your neighbors are eating can affect the air they’re releasing. Onions, garlic and coffee are likely to show up on the breath no matter how much time is logged brushing.

Illness, infection, and allergies can all cause salivation issues which in turn upset the control of bacteria in the mouth. Diabetes, kidney failure, radiation therapy, liver malfunction, dry mouth or even postnasal drip can cause an odor.

Finally, dentures or a removable appliance may also carry bacteria that needs to be cleaned and freshened up on a regular basis. Bacteria balance in the mouth is ever changing.

1. Brush and floss the teeth as well as brush the tongue, gums and sides of mouth.
2. Enjoy onions and garlic a little less.
3. Stay on top of health issues.
4. Keep dentures clean.

This last one is for you:

Again, I’m Dr. Chris Hammond. Located at 3575 N 100 E Ste 200 Ste 200 Provo, Utah. We offer mini implants, porcelain veneers, sedation dentistry, dental crowns, and Invisalign just to name a few of our extraordinary dental services.

Aesthetic & General Dentistry

 

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200 Ste 200
Provo, UT
84604

 

Let Your Smile Show Who You Really Are

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Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry

smile makeover

Let’s talk about the power of a smile.

A smile communicates your emotions more precisely than words can ever do. The absence of a smile also sends a clear message. But what if you want to smile but the issues with your teeth prevent you? This is a frustrating condition for many people both young and old.

You may have a warm and engaging personality, but no one can notice that personality without a smile. If you are usually too embarrassed about your teeth to smile, this post is for you.

Do you ever examine how your close-lipped facial expressions impact other people’s perceptions of you? Do you think it’s possible that your demeanor causes people to get the wrong impression? Perhaps they think you are shy, distant, timid, or unhappy. These adjectives are probably completely off-base – but without a smile, it’s hard to tell. Especially when people meet you for the first time.

Do you think your unattractive smile has affected your career? How about your personal relationships? If you are dissatisfied with the way your teeth look, you have probably considered cosmetic dentistry.

This begs the question: “What has prevented you from seeking a smile transformation?” Is it the cost? Fear that it’s going to be painful? Doubts about whether it will really work? Worry that you will have to take work off for several appointments? Maybe you are just too embarrassed to let anyone look in your mouth.

If you are still reading this post, I suspect you are on the fence regarding this life-changing renewal. You can’t make a wise choice unless you have the important facts, and I want to provide them to you.

Knowledge is power. I invite you to come in for a free, informational smile makeover consultation. I want to speak with you about all the concerns I mentioned previously and any others you may have. When I perform a smile transformation for someone who has been embarrased to smile for years, it changes that person’s life. Because of revolutionary procedures, instruments, lab processes, and materials, it’s a great time to be a cosmetic dentist and an even better time to get a smile makeover at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo.

The key to a smile makeover that transcends what is technically adequate to the type of sensational smile that is greater than the sum of its parts is the expertise of the dentist. To reach the level of perfection that you deserve, a consummate smile makeover dentist must have the capacity to use all these things in combination with rare artistic skill.

Whew! That’s a lot of words. And, as mentioned at the beginning of this post, we know that words cannot convey what a notable smile can. Let me show you pictures of Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry smile makeover patients, including our porcelain veneer patients. Then you will understand. (After all, a picture is worth – how many words?)

I invite you to call me, Drs. Chris Hammond, today at 801-374-0070.