Why Is An Implant Better For Oral Health?

dental implants Provo

Dental implants are an ideal replacement for lost teeth, and at last count more than three million Americans have received one. At Hammond Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Provo, we are providers of these dental marvels.

What Is A Dental Implant?

A dental implant is a titanium post that is surgically implanted into your jaw. For a single missing tooth, one implant supports a base called an abutment, along with a crown. Several implants can support a dental bridge, or a full denture arch.

One of the benefits of dental implants is that they prevent bone recession, which is common in people who have lost teeth. The titanium post goes where the tooth root used to be, and helps strengthen the bone.

Why Is An Implant Better Than Dentures Or A Bridge?

With a dental bridge, tooth structure must be removed from the neighboring teeth. That compromises the teeth on either side of the missing tooth.

Conventional dentures may be more affordable than implant-anchored dentures. But because they are removable, most patients find they are unreliably loose. They can also affect the ability to enjoy food. These are not issues with implant-supported dentures.

Dental implants from Hammond Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Provo are like getting back lost teeth. To find out whether they’re right for you, please call our office to schedule an appointment.

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604

 

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Whitening For 3 Types Of Tooth Stains

Provo Teeth Bleaching

At Hammond Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Provo, one of our most popular cosmetic dentistry procedures is teeth whitening. Everyone, it seems, would like to have whiter teeth and a brighter smile.

It is important to realize that not everyone responds the same to teeth bleaching. The degree of whiteness attained and the treatment time necessary depends on the type of stains being treated.

  1. Surface or extrinsic stains are surface stains, and the easiest to remove. They are caused by the usual suspects: coffee, tea, wine, cola, smoking and the natural aging process.
  2. Intrinsic stains can be lightened but it may take a bit longer. These stains form from the inside out but are visible through the enamel. They can be caused by trauma, tetracycline antibiotics, infection, or excessive fluoride use in childhood before the enamel is fully formed.
  3. Combination: Some people have both extrinsic and intrinsic staining. As we age, our teeth change, regardless of how well we take care of them. Tooth enamel thins while the dentin underneath fades and yellows. The extrinsic stains are the easiest to lighten, and ongoing treatment with a peroxide-based penetrating whitener can lighten the deeper discoloration.

At Hammond Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Provo, teeth whitening is just one of the cosmetic dentistry procedures we use to improve smiles. Others include porcelain veneers and dental implants. Schedule an appointment to find out what we can do for your smile!

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604

 

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Dental Implants And Smile Makeovers

smile makeovers Provo

Some questions from the team at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo:

What makes a pleasing smile?

White teeth? Uniformly-shaped teeth? Straight teeth?

What issues prevent stunning smiles?

Crooked teeth are ordinarily considered unattractive. Yellow or gray teeth decrease the appeal of a smile—even one that is perfectly healthy and aligned.

Beauty, it has been said, is in the eye of the beholder, but most people agree that missing teeth detract from a smile. When smiling, talking, laughing, or eating, a missing tooth shows. Even if the remaining teeth are white, straight, and pleasingly shaped, the eyes fixate on the gap that should hold a tooth.

Dental Implants and Smile Makeovers

The good news? You can restore missing teeth with dental implants! You can fix other problems with cosmetic dentistry. The combination is called a smile transformation.

Cosmetic dentists combine dental implants with additional procedures to create stunning smiles. Possible treatments include teeth whitening, orthodontia, veneers, white filling replacement, and gum contouring.

They use basic design principals in smile makeovers. These include size, shape, alignment, proportion, color, and translucency. Additionally, they also consider the aspects of the gums, lips, and facial features.

If you want an attractive smile, talk to us at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo about dental implants and cosmetic dentistry. Learn about the possibilities for your smile.

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604

 

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Better and Better: The Future of Implants

 

Dentists are always reminding their patients to brush and floss their teeth. It’s the best way to ensure healthy teeth and gums. But we know that in spite of everyone’s best efforts, some of our patients are going to lose a tooth. When that happens, Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo recommends dental implants.

Humans have experimented with replacing lost teeth for thousands of years. Archaeologists tell us that the first known instance of an implanted tooth comes from the remains of an Egyptian king, whose upper jaw had a copper peg in it. They think it was hammered into place, but that’s an image we do not want to dwell on.

Other ancient cultures experimented with carved bamboo, pieces of stone and steel, and even sea shells. Rest assured, dental implants since then have come a long, long way. Today dental implants are a titanium post that is surgically placed in the patient’s jaw. One implant can support a single artificial tooth. Multiple implants can support a set of dentures.

Dental prognosticators say that implants are going to get even better, and that improvements aren’t that far down the road. We can expect faster healing and even lower failure rates, which are already pretty low.

At present, the most common cause of failure in dental implants is oral microbial infection. New generations of dental implants are expected to feature a reservoir that slowly releases anti-microbial medicine that prevents the growth of bacteria.

To find out whether dental implants are right for you, call Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo. Other services include clear braces from Invisalign. Schedule an appointment with 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’s The Difference Between An Inlay And An Onlay?

tooth colored fillings Provo

If you have tooth sensitivity or pain in your back teeth when you chew, the surfaces may be damaged. One possible remedy is the use of an inlay or onlay made of metal, composite resin, or porcelain, one of the cosmetic dentistry options available from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Orem.

Inlays are very strong and shaped to precisely fit a hole in a damaged tooth. The choice of an inlay or onlay depends on how much decay and tooth loss has occurred.

An inlay resembles a filling and fills a small part of the tooth, while an onlay covers one or more of the cusps on the top of the tooth. In other words, an inlay fills a hole without changing the shape of the tooth, while an onlay builds up the tooth surface to restore its original dimension.

The procedure begins with a thorough evaluation, oral x-ray, and an impression. The damaged area will be removed and then the inlay or onlay will be formed to precisely fit your tooth and bite. While it is being made, your tooth will have a temporary restoration piece to cover and guard the vulnerable area.

Finally, the inlay or onlay will be placed and permanently bonded to the tooth. Since the procedure requires removal of damaged tooth material, restoration fabrication at the lab, and the placement on the tooth, it will take a few appointments to complete the process.

Inlays and onlays guard the tooth from further degeneration, provide natural function, and are durable and inconspicuous.

Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Orem provides many cosmetic dentistry services, including porcelain veneers and dental implants. Call our office today to schedule an appointment.

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604

 

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Cosmetic Dentistry: Art and Science

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, we create beautiful smiles with cosmetic dentistry.

It’s been said that cosmetic dentistry is part science and part art. That is a short-and-sweet definition for what we do. More to the point, though, is that we use sound dental techniques to bring positive changes to the smiles of our patients.

Smile enhancement through cosmetic dentistry can have positive changes on your life. The smallest improvement can boost your self-confidence. We have many techniques we can use, depending on the state of your smile: we can correct teeth that are discolored, chipped, mis-shapen, and even missing.

Traditional dentistry addrtesses the health of your teeth and gums, and that certainly has its place in what we do. Cosmetic dentistry aims to complement the overall general and dental health of each patient. We do more than recommend specific procedures. We consider the shape, alignment, color and condition of the teeth, and the facial shape and coloring of each patient. There is no one-size-fits-all treatment. (If only!)

Your teeth take a lot of wear and tear over the years. But cosmetic dentistry from Hammond Aesthetic and General Dentistry can restore your smile to its youthful appearance. Possibilities include porcelain veneers and Invisalign clear braces. Call us today to schedule a 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

 


Smile Transformations

smile makeovers Provo

This blog post from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo is for people who aren’t happy about their smile.

Common issues for patients include yellow or misaligned teeth, too much or too little gum tissue, and missing or broken teeth.

Few people have naturally stunning smiles. Those who practice proper oral care can avoid many problems that affect oral health and the attractiveness of their smile. But some people are unsatisfied with their smiles even though they brush and floss religiously.

Cosmetic dentistry has the power to transform your smile, regardless of flaws. We have the experience and know-how to transform ordinary smiles into extraordinary smiles. Ask us about creating your dream smile!

Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo also provides family dentistry. Schedule an appointment with 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

 

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Teeth Look Too Short? Lengthen Them!

fix gummy smile Provo

There are multiple cosmetic dentistry procedures that can upgrade your smile, and they’re available at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo.

There are porcelain veneers: a custom made, wafer-thin covering permanently attached to the front of a tooth to make it stain-free and perfectly shaped. Veneers can repair small chips and crack in teeth that are free of decay. Many patients get minimally invasive veneers on their top six teeth for a dramatic improvement.

Orthodontia has received a lot of attention in Utah in the past twenty years with the introduction of Invisalign and short-term braces. And braces are not only for ‘tweens and teenagers. We have seen more adults straighten their teeth to achieve dazzling smiles with discrete orthodontic treatment.

A cosmetic dental procedure that is lesser known in the Provo area is crown lengthening. If you feel that your teeth appear too short or that your smile exposes more gum than you would like (a ‘gummy smile’), you may be interested in crown lengthening.

Crown lengthening surgery is a safe and effective procedure that exposes more of the visible part of the tooth while minimizing the vertical length of exposed gum tissue.

When a gummy smile is corrected, our Provo crown lengthening patients are often surprised at how it positively affects their whole face. They love their new smile which reveals pleasing, symmetrical portions of their upper teeth that have been hidden under gum tissue their whole life.

Sometimes, crown lengthening is used when a tooth is fractured at the gumline. The surgery makes tooth structure accessible for the necessary restoration.

Digital imaging helps Orem dental professionals perform crown lengthening with exactness. A highly-detailed, 3-D image of tooth and bone structure allows the cosmetic dentist to contour a gumline to the patient’s exact specifications.

Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo provides a full range of cosmetic dentistry services. We also offer sedation dentistry to those patients with dental anxiety. Call us today to schedule an appointment.

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604

 

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The Not-So-Obvious Benefits Of A Smile Makeover

smile makeover benefits Provo

A smile transformation can be life-changing for anyone who has been embarrassed by their smile for years. But it’s not just about looking younger and more attractive; a beautiful smile can improve your life in ways you might not guess. Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo can help you get your dream smile.

How can a smile makeover transform your life?

1. It alters the way you are perceived by others.

A person who smiles often and easily is usually regarded as a confident problem solver.

2. It elevates the mood in social settings.

When you freely smile, it is contagious. It enhances the mood in any setting and eases tension when needed.

3. You will feel more self-assured.

When you quit obsessing over making sure you hide your teeth, you have the drive to concentrate on ways to attain success in personal and professional pursuits.

A smile makeover is an investment in yourself that you will be excited with every day. If you have ever wondered how to get your dream smile, call Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo to book a consultation. We also provide family dentistry. Make 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

 

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