tooth whitening Archives | Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry

Can I Objectively Evaluate My Smile?

Posted on January 15, 2016January 15, 2016

It is no secret that a beautiful, pleasing, healthy smile can be your most revered physical attribute. After all, people notice your smile first thing. How do you know if your smile is detracting from your appearance?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder; if you look at your smile in the mirror and believe it is unattractive, it doesn’t really matter what anybody else thinks. But what if you are not sure?

There are many problems that are generally considered to detract from brilliant smiles. Missing teeth is a biggie. People who are missing teeth in the back of the mouth may mistakenly believe that the gap doesn’t show. They are usually wrong. When smiling, talking, laughing, or eating, a missing tooth definitely shows – even if the missing tooth is the very last molar.

Yellow or gray teeth diminish the appeal of a smile – even one that is perfectly healthy and aligned – and crooked teeth are usually considered unattractive.

There are a few unique smile characteristics that some people proudly show off and others wish to change. For instance, a gap between the two front teeth can become your trademark. True Blood star Anna Paquin, actor Woody Harrelson, and singer Seal have retained their spaces. Perhaps the most famous gap-toothed smile belongs to seventy year-old model Lauren Hutton who has proudly flashed it throughout her fifty-year career. Other celebrities such as Zac Efron, Tom Cruise, and Keith Urban weren’t happy with gaps so they transformed their smiles with unprecedented cosmetic dentistry.

If you want an objective aesthetic evaluation of your smile, how can you do this? You can’t see your smile from every angle when you look in the mirror. If you want an expert opinion on the attractiveness of your smile, talk to a cosmetic dentist. There are a surprising number of design principals that are used in cosmetic dental smile makeovers. These include size, shape, alignment, proportion, color, and translucency. Furthermore, cosmetic dentists also consider the characteristics of the gums, lips, and facial features.

When you have a cosmetic dental consultation, you will be able to see how the critical elements work together to create a natural-looking, unforgettable smile. Bottom line? If you want to change your smile, you can! Schedule a consultation today by calling 801-374-0070.

Do Whitestrips Work?

Posted on December 14, 2012December 11, 2012

If you have visited the toothpaste aisle at your Utah County Wal-Mart, you have probably noticed dozens of products that claim to whiten your teeth. A few years ago, the only over-the-counter tooth whitening options in Utah County were tooth whitening toothpastes and Crest Whitestrips. Now there is a wide variety of products at every drugstore counter in the Utah County area.

Whitening Rinses
Utah County whitening rinses are similar to mouthwashes. They kill bacteria, freshen breath and may help remove plaque. Whitening rinses, however, contain tooth-whitening ingredients not found in mouthwashes. Manufacturers advise taking a mouthful of the rinse and letting it slosh around on your teeth for one minute twice a day. Though this method is simple, many users never notice a lightening of their teeth. This is probably because the rinse does not touch your teeth long enough to truly whiten them.

Whitening Strips
The whitening strips you can buy in Utah County grocery stores have a couple of drawbacks. Though they contain a bleaching agent, it is much less potent than those used in Utah County cosmetic dental offices. Another problem is that they do not whiten between teeth because the strips only touch the front surface. Though it is possible to remove stains, it can take months to see any whitening. By that point, you have probably spent more money than you would have if you’d have chosen the professional system at your tooth whitening general dentistry practice.

Teeth Whitening Gels
Whitening gels are painted onto teeth with a small brush. One problem with whitening gels is that they only stick to dry teeth. If any saliva gets on the teeth during treatment, the gel is more likely to slide off.

If you are serious about dramatically whitening your teeth, the safest, quickest, and most affordable system is at your Utah County dental office.

Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry is located at 3575 N 100 E, Ste 200, Provo UT. Our phone number is 801-374-0070. You can find more information on our dental website at /about.htm.

Has Your Smile Lost Its Luster?

Posted on November 16, 2012November 17, 2012

Hello Utah County! Has your smile lost its luster? Are your teeth discolored? If flashing a pearly white smile is important to you we can help. Our names are Dr. Hammond and we have been creating whiter, brighter smiles for patients in the Provo area since 1996 at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry.

Whether your teeth have been stained through sipping dark-colored drinks such as red wine or coffee or if smoking has left your teeth brown and dull, we and our staff at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry can whiten your teeth and intensify your smile.

Maybe you have injured your tooth in some way causing it to turn gray. We offer several solutions to restore the color to your tooth. When you come in for a consultation we will determine which cosmetic dental procedure is best for your teeth.

Your smile the first thing people notice, I will make sure your smile is brilliant and absolutely unforgettable!

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry, we not only offer tooth whitening to our Utah County patients, we also specialize in cosmetic dentistry.

If you or your family need porcelain veneers or sedation dentistry we invite you to come in for a dental consultation. We are located at 3575 N 100 E, Ste 200 in Provo, Utah.

Invest in a white, bright smile! Call Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo today at 801-374-0070 or visit https://www.cosmeticdentistryutahcounty.com.

Thanks for visiting our cosmetic dental blog – Dr. Chris Hammond

Toothbrush Wars in Orem

Posted on June 22, 2012

It may surprise you to know that some Orem people have very strong opinions about which type of toothbrush is the best: manual or electric. Is there really one that is clearly better? Most Orem cosmetic dentists will tell you that all toothbrushes, when used correctly, are effective in removing plaque and that choosing which kind you like is really up to you.

Today in the Orem family dentistry blog we want to give you some extra information about toothbrushes to help you decide which kind is right for you or your child.

Cost and convenience should be considered. Some Orem people argue that even though electric toothbrushes cost more, you’ll save on dental bills. However, there are no definitive studies to back up this claim.

Manual toothbrushes are easy to find, whereas not all drugstores in the Orem area carry all types of electric toothbrushes. This can be difficult when buying replacement heads. People who travel may find that a smaller, manual toothbrush is easier to pack (and you don’t have to remember batteries).

The pressure you put on your gums with either type of toothbrush is important. Some Orem residents say that it’s difficult to know how much pressure they use with electric toothbrushes, while others say that because of the quick electrical movements, they tend to be more gentle on their gums than when they use manual brushes. You may want to try them both to see what your brushing style is and discuss it with your Orem cosmetic dentist.

Special consideration should be taken for people with arthritis. Most area dentists advise their elderly and arthritic patients to use electric toothbrushes when their manual dexterity is diminished. As for children, once they are old enough, an electric toothbrush may be preferable, but safety should always be the first concern for parents. Also, all dentists in Orem and the surrounding areas will remind you to look for the ADA seal on any dental product you buy.

Whichever type of toothbrush you choose, make sure you get soft bristles and replace it every three to four months.

We’re Drs. Hammond and we want to thank you for visiting our Orem dental blog.

If you are looking for dental care, tooth whitening, or cosmetic dentistry in or around Orem, give us a call at 801-374-0070.

Remake Your Provo Smile With Bonding And Shaping

Posted on May 4, 2012

Hello Provo friends of Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry! When you think about getting into shape, your teeth are probably not the first body parts that come to mind. But your Provo dentist may be able to improve your smile with bonding and enamel shaping, and you won’t even have to join a gym!

We’re Drs. Hammond, experienced Provo cosmetic and general dentistry specialists, and today on our dental blog we want to explain a little more about these relatively conservative cosmetic dentistry procedures that can improve your smile without major remodeling.

Bonding is a great way to improve the appearance of teeth that are cracked, stained, broken, chipped, or have large spaces between them. When teeth are bonded, your Provo cosmetic dentist applies tooth-colored materials, and “bonds” them to the tooth surface.

Usually used in conjunction with bonding, enamel shaping is the process of modifying teeth by contouring or removing enamel. Something my Provo area patients love about enamel shaping is that it’s quick, painless, and the often dramatic results are immediate.

If you are looking for quality, affordable Provo dental care, give us a call at 801-374-0070. Our friendly and professional dental team would be happy to answer any questions you have about any of our cosmetic dentistry procedures such as veneers and tooth whitening. We would love to explain the latest advances in porcelain veneers, Invisalign clear braces, and general dentistry and let you see our gallery of before and after photos of smile makeovers.

If it has been a while since you have treated your teeth to a deep cleaning, call today to book an appointment with the most gentle yet thorough dental hygienists in Provo!

Drs. Hammond
Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry
3575 N 100 E, Ste 200
Provo, Utah 84604
801-374-0070
/about.htm

Bright Smiles In Utah County

Posted on December 23, 2011

Hello Utah County! Do you want brighter, whiter teeth? Most Utah County folks notice their teeth dulling as the years go by, but some foods, drinks, and even mouthwashes can stain teeth at any age.

Over-the-counter tooth whitening products like kits, strips, or toothpastes may slightly lighten stains, but for a truly brilliant smile, Dr. Hammond can help!

If you have dental veneers, bonding, or bridges, teeth whitening bleach will not lighten the stains and your whitened natural teeth will make your dental work look even duller in comparison. At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry, we can recommend new cosmetic dental work, including veneers or bondings, if these have aged and discolored.

Remember, anything that can stain a white tee shirt can stain teeth.

Fortunately, brushing after meals can keep stains at bay, however with acidic foods or drinks, just rinse your mouth with water. Brushing right away can erode enamel, causing thinner teeth as we age.

Utah County in-office Zoom whitening takes about an hour and bleaches teeth to a whiter-than-ever brilliance. Take-home professional teeth whitening kits are also available at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry and can produce the best results over time.

For more information on getting a younger and brighter smile, contact our caring staff for a smile brightening consultation today!

Dr. Hammond DMD
Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry
801-374-0070
/

What Does A Missing Tooth Say About You?

Posted on October 14, 2011October 30, 2015

When you meet someone in Utah County who is missing a front tooth, what does that say to you? Do you wonder if they were in an accident? Do you automatically start making assumptions about their income, level of education and overall physical health?

Though it is extremely unfair, we are often judged (and misjudged) by our appearance. Even if a person is impeccably dressed and groomed, a missing front tooth detracts from the overall pleasing impression.

Here is a personal story from a woman who lost a tooth:

“I lost my job and along with it my dental insurance, then a month later, one of my front teeth. It has been very hard to find work…. and I know the missing tooth has cost me several jobs.”

A missing tooth can be a big deal.

Dental implants not only restore oral health, they restore self-confidence. Dental implants are a permanent solution for missing teeth. Studies have shown that after more than 20 years, the vast majority of dental implants placed by oral and maxillofacial surgeons continue to function at peak performance. If properly cared for, dental implants can last a lifetime.

Dental implants are one of the procedures we routinely perform at Hammond, Aesthetic & General Dentistry to help our Utah County cosmetic dentistry clients regain the beautiful smile they once had. Not all cosmetic dental procedures are as extreme as teeth implants. There are many minimally-invasive remedies for unattractive smiles.

Porcelain veneers instantly provide a perfect, gleaming tooth surface for Utah County clients with broken or discolored teeth. Tooth whitening is a quick and affordable dentistry procedure in Utah County that achieves dramatic results without requiring the removal of any tooth structure. Call Hammond, Aesthetic & General Dentistry at 801-374-0070 for more information about smile design and restorative dentistry.

-Dr. Chris Hammond

Top Reasons To Visit Your Provo Cosmetic Dentist

Posted on September 16, 2011September 28, 2013

Top Ten Reasons To Visit Your Provo Cosmetic Dentist:

Check Up; it’s time, and this is the best way to avoid dental problems.
Clean Up; our dental hygienist is ready to give you a super clean smile. Our office also offers bad breath treatment to help give you fresh breath that will match your new smile.
Brush Up; if it has been a while since your last dental visit, it’s probably time to come in to learn about the new options we have for dental care.
Avoid pain; if you have dental pain and have been putting off a trip to the dentist, come in now. We specialize in relieving dental pain. We also offer sedation dentistry.
Fillings; we can find and fill all your dental cavities in almost no time at all. This will help you avoid more painful problems down the road, and helps ease some of those sensitivities to hot and cold.
Avoid gum disease; we can assess the health of your gums and suggest treatments or practices that are available to help you improve the health of your gums.
Ready for a whiter smile? We can help. We have tooth whitening options available that will brighten your smile and make your teeth whiter.
Tooth replacement; If you are missing a tooth, we can help restore your smile with the latest in tooth replacement technology. Ask us about our dental implant options.
Cosmetic dentistry is something everyone is considering to make improvements to their smile. We can help you assess the options and learn more about the possibilities of cosmetic dentistry.
Confidence: Nothing brings you more confidence than when you know you have a bright and beautifully healthy smile.

We’re Drs. Hammond, and we are dentists in the Provo, Utah community. If you are ready for professional cosmetic and family dentistry, please give our office a call.

You can reach us at 801-374-0070, or visit us on our website at https://www.cosmeticdentistryutahcounty.com

We are members of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. http://www.aacd.com

Is a Perfect Smile Possible In Provo?

Posted on September 7, 2011

Are you considering a smile makeover in the Provo area? Are you skeptical of promises of a ‘perfect smile’ a ‘celebrity smile’ or ‘a dazzling, youthful smile’? Let’s talk about the most popular Provo cosmetic dental procedures and the results that can be expected.

Composite Veneers
The application of porcelain veneers at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry can remedy a multitude of aesthetic dental problems and is often a better cosmetic dental solution for candidates in the Provo area than dental bonding. Veneers can correct tooth chips, tooth cracks, minor tooth misalignment, tooth discoloration, unattractive tooth shape, and disproportionate tooth size. Can a porcelain veneer create a perfect tooth? While a veneer cannot fix a decayed tooth, it can turn an unsightly tooth into an aesthetically perfect tooth.

Tooth Bleaching
Provo tooth whitening is a non-invasive cosmetic dental treatment that dramatically improves a smile. However, some Provo tooth whitening dentists will guarantee fantastic results for any patient that desires a whiter smile. At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo we only recommend tooth bleaching for clients that are good candidates for the process. If you have all-natural teeth that are dull or stained, tooth whitening will brighten your smile. If you have several dental crowns in the front of your mouth, or gums that have receded, conventional tooth-whitening may not improve your smile.

Call 801-374-0070 to schedule a tooth-whitening consultation.

Tooth-Colored Fillings
If you have a mouth full of metal fillings, you may be interested in tooth-colored fillings. To get an idea of how the inside of your mouth would look without metal, have someone without any fillings open their mouth. Do you remember when your mouth looked like that? Would you like to bring your smile back to its pre-filling appearance? It is possible with tooth-colored fillings at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry.

These are just a few of the cosmetic dental solutions that create perfect smiles for our Provo clients. You can see a complete list of our services at https://www.cosmeticdentistryutahcounty.com.

Tooth Whitening Dentistry In Provo

Posted on June 10, 2011

Tooth whitening has really taken off in Provo. It has become a popular dental procedure and can provide excellent results if done properly.

There are a lot of options when it comes to tooth whitening. You can choose from a selection of over-the-counter options that you can get at your local pharmacy, or can go to a professional to get a complete tooth whitening solution.

It is a good idea to consult with your dentist before getting tooth whitening, regardless of whether you choose to use an over-the-counter product. Your dentist will be able to help you understand the results you can expect, and can help recommend a product that will work for you.

There are many variables when it comes to tooth whitening. The color of your teeth at the beginning of your treatment will make a difference for your ending result. Different tooth whitening treatments will each produce a different result. Your Provo cosmetic dentist has experience with tooth coloration and the types of treatments available.

In many cases, your Provo dentist will be able to provide you with a tooth whitening solution that you can take home with you. In some cases, your Provo dentist may recommend a professional treatment that is done at the dentist’s office such as Zoom whitening.

Professional tooth whitening can produce dramatic results in a single treatment, and is often done over a few treatments.

Tooth whitening is less expensive than it was in the earlier days of tooth whitening technology. Today, tooth whitening treatments are very affordable, and don’t take the time they used to.

If you are interested in a tooth whitening consultation in the Provo area, please call Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry and make an appointment to see me. We will be happy to give you a check up, assess your tooth color, and recommend teeth whitening treatments that may be right for you.