2023 Is The Year To Replace Missing Teeth

If you or someone you care about lost a tooth this year, but haven’t yet dealt with the issue, Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT suggests a consultation with our dental implant team immediately.

Why the rush? Though your missing tooth might not be an aesthetic issue now – maybe it’s far enough back that the gap is not visible, or perhaps you don’t mind a sort of rugged look – it could very well become one in the future.

When we lose a tooth, the root and jaw bone eventually atrophy. This causes neighboring teeth to begin to shift into the empty spaces, causing misalignment and pain. Worse, it causes your facial features to take on a “sunken” look; especially round the cheeks.

Dental implants are the best way to avoid this, as they protect and stimulate the remaining teeth, keeping them in place and bolstering their strength. The good news is that dental implants and their associated restorations mimic natural enamel perfectly, so nobody will be able to tell that you’ve achieved your New Year’s resolution early this coming year!

If you’ve been dreaming of a more complete smile for years, 2023 is the time to do it and Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT can help! We offer implants and complete cosmetic dentistry. We serve satisfied patients from American Fork and Lehi. 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


General and Family Dentistry in Provo

general and family dentistry Provo

When you do an Internet search for a dentist, you may comes across the terms “family dentist” and “general dentist.” You mean there’s a difference? At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT, we’re going to explain.

There is indeed a difference, but it’s a subtle one. The main differenced is in the age of patients. A family dentist, as the term makes plain, can treat everyone in your family, from children to parents, and on through their parents.

General and family dentists are both concerned with the dental health of their patients. That means treating issues involving the teeth and gums. There is a strong emphasis on good oral hygiene.

A family dental practice is a one-stop practice. That saves parents from having to take your ten-year-old to one dentist, and your sixteen-year old – and yourself – to another.

Above all, family dentists are able to focus on the unique dental needs of children. Not only does a family dentist understand how young teeth change as children grow; they also respect the fact that a lot of kids are afraid of going to the dentist, and take that into account – not only with the approach to young patients, but to the very appearance of the office.

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT we specialize in general and dentistry. People from American Fork and Lehi also come to our practice for cosmetic dentistry and 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 8617

Root Canal vs Dental Implant

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

 


The Many Advantages of Dental Implants

implant dentures Provo

If you’re among the millions of Americans who have lost one of their natural teeth, dental implants from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT are an ideal solution.

Dental implants have many advantages over other tooth-replacement options. One of the biggest advantages is that implants not only support lifelike artificial teeth, they support the health of the jaw bone itself.

What Is A Dental Implant?

A dental implant is a titanium post that is placed into your jaw, where inside of a few months’ time it fuses with the bone itself.

Implants may go in the upper or lower jaw. One implant can support one artificial tooth, and several of them can support a dental bridge, or even a full dental arch.

An unfortunate consequence of losing teeth is that the bone around the lost tooth begins to recede. This can result in a sunken appearance in the face. But because implants are physically attached to the bone they function like a tooth root to stimulate growth and prevent the loss of bone mass.

Advanced Technology

Dental implants don’t affect the surrounding teeth, either. In the case of a bridge, for example, each neighboring tooth must be ground into shape in order to accommodate the bridge. Also, with a bridge, the bone will deteriorate.

Dental implants from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT are among the most advanced technology modern dentistry has to offer. We’ve placed them in patients from American Fork and Lehi, who also come to our office for 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 8680

What is the Recovery Time for a Dental Implant?

dental implant recovery time Provo

If you read our previous post on the life-changing possibilities of dental implants, you might be wondering if there’s any downside whatsoever to these restorations. You are not alone! When a patient at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT decides to go ahead with a dental implant, one of the first things they want to know is how long and arduous the recovery time will be.

Our answer? Recovery is difficult to predict, because every case is different. There are various factors that go into the process, but not all of them apply to each case.

Some of the issues include:

  • Failing Teeth: In addition to the lost tooth the dental implant replaces, patients sometimes have unhealthy teeth that need to be removed before the implant goes ahead. That extends the entire process.
  • Potential Bone Grafting: If there has been significant bone recession, we’ll need to boost the patient’s bone mass. This is usually done with a graft, which promotes new bone growth.
  • Rate of Osseointegration: This is a big phrase that means, quite simply, the process by which the implant post fuses with the bone and the speed at which it happens. We usually allow for about two months, but sometimes it’s faster and sometimes takes longer. Once the post has fused, it is strong enough to support a replacement tooth.

These are the main variables. It may sound like a lot, and sometimes it is. But it’s worth it! A new dental implant looks and functions like a natural tooth, restoring not only your smile, but your ability to bite and chew.

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT, dental implants can replace a single tooth, or support a full dental arch. People from American Fork and Lehi also come to our office for other 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 8243

Dental Implants Are Truly Life-Changing

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

There Is Hope For Denture Wearers

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?

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

Want to Fill Those Gaps in Your Smile?

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

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