Denture Wearers Can Preserve Their Jaw Bone and Facial Shape

invisible braces for adults Provo

More than 36 million Americans don’t have any teeth. And 120 million are missing at least one tooth. (American College of Prosthodontists) 90% of men and women without teeth wear dentures. Are you one of them? If so, Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry can help!

Dentures aren’t the ideal tooth replacement

How are your dentures working for you? Do they slip around in your mouth? Are they uncomfortable? If so, it may be time for a reline. Dentures need to be relined occasionally so they fit right. The reason for this is because of bone loss and gum shrinkage. Think about that for a minute. Bone loss?!! Gum shrinkage?!!

Let’s discuss it.

What causes bone loss?

To remain strong and vital, your jawbone needs to be consistently stimulated by the pressure of chewing, biting, and talking. Each tooth has a root structure that extends into the surrounding bone material. As each tooth absorbs the forces of everyday mouth function, it stimulates blood flow in the bone surrounding the root.

In other words, your jaw bone has an important job to do but can diminish if it’s no longer needed.

Look at this for a minute. When tooth roots are gone, your jawbone starts shrinking. And what happens when the underlying structure shrinks? The outer structure changes as well. Eventually, the shape of your face will change.

Bone loss isn’t unavoidable

Before you resign yourself to a shrinking jawbone and eventual hollowed-out cheeks, consider a better option. We’re talking about implant-secured dentures.

What are implant-secured dentures?

A dental implant is a replacement for a tooth that includes the tooth root and the visible part of the tooth. A single implant would have an abutment (connector piece) with a crown affixed. With implant-anchored dentures, the denture composes the visible part of multiple teeth connected to a smaller number of implants. In other words, instead of 1 post + 1 crown for each tooth, you may have all-in-4 which means one complete arch anchored to 4 posts.

Dentures secured by implants are held in place with permanent metal screws or posts–the root replacement part of the implant.

Tooth implants can be used in many different ways. For example, an implant can replace one missing tooth. Or, an implant attached to a dental bridge can replace two or three missing teeth.

In this article, however, we will first describe how implants can serve as a stable base for securing a denture to either the upper or lower arch.

How are the implants inserted?

The dental implant procedure works like this: first, the posts are surgically inserted into the jaw bone. Though “oral surgery” might sound extensive, implant placement is an outpatient procedure at your dentist’s office. For most patients, it doesn’t take much longer than filling a cavity. As with other procedures, your dentist will employ a numbing agent so you will feel limited pain.

Osseointegration

The next part of the process is critical, although the patient doesn’t have to do anything except practice good oral hygiene. In the months after implant surgery, the post meshes with the jaw bone. This biological process is called osseointegration. Your jawbone integrates to the post as if it were a natural tooth root.

Custom dentures anchored to the implants

Once the implant has securely meshed with the jaw bone, the tooth implant recipient receives a final fitment for their new implant-secured dentures. Just as with any restoration at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry, implant-anchored dentures are custom-fit and designed to blend perfectly with remaining teeth. If you don’t have any natural teeth, you will choose the appropriate color with the guidance of Dr. Hammond.

Am I a well-suited candidate for implant dentures?

When considering whether to get implant-secured dentures, traditional dentures, or some other restoration option, the number of missing teeth affects your specific treatment. If you have suffered excessive tooth loss but still have healthy, bone then implant dentures might work for you.

Implant-anchored dentures can change your life

Modern dental implant procedures, cutting-edge materials, and the competence of dentists such as Dr. Chris Hammond, combine to create truly sensational smiles.

Call us today for a dental implant consultation and learn what’s possible for your smile.

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

385-375-3715

Location (Tap To Open In Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604


Implants or Traditional Dentures? Ask Yourself These Questions When Choosing

dental implants Provo

If you want to restore your smile due to extensive tooth loss, you have a decision. Will you choose conventional dentures, or dentures supported by dental implants, like those available at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT? When you consider the advantages of implants, there is really no contest.

Let’s compare conventional removable dentures and dental implants.

Feel

Dentures sit right on the gums. An adhesive is used to help maintain the daily fit A dental implant is surgically fixed into the jawbone similar to one’s original teeth.

Effective years

Dentures typically last 7 to 15 years. As one’s jawbone changes shape, dentures need to be adjusted to fit. Implants are fitted once.

Bone Loss

Missing teeth lead to bone loss, whch in turn changes the shape of the face. Unfortunately this shows in the face with a shrunken look. Implants help stimulate the jawbone, which helps to keep the shape of the bone and facial structure.

Speech

Dentures can move and shift as you wear them, affecting speech patterns. Dental implants are anchored securely in the jawbone, and don’t interfere with speech at all.

Eating

Sticky or hard foods are difficult or even impossible when chewing with dentures. Implant-supported dentures allow you to eat any kind of food.

Implant-supported dentures from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT have transformed tooth replacement. We’ve placed them in patients from American Fork and Lehi, who also come to us for complete general dentistry. Call for 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

 

ArticleID 8347

Are Dentures the Only Answer for Extensive Tooth Loss?

total mouth reconstruction Provo

Your teeth are meant to last a lifetime, and with proper home care and regular checkups at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, they can. But sometimes things go wrong, in spite of everyone’s best efforts. Dental implants are an ideal solution for anyone who loses one or more of their natural teeth.

Dental implants are titanium posts that are inserted into the jawbone, where they fuse with the bone. Once they do they become rock-solid supports for one or more replacement teeth.

Mulitple implants, usually four, can support a full dental arch. They have a number of advantages over ordinary dentures:

  • More stable. Because they are attached to titanium posts that have fused with the jaw, people have much greater biting and chewing power.
  • Natural in appearance. They look more like natural teeth, and are easier to care for.
  • Built to last. Because they are physically attached to the jaw, implants are long-lasting.
  • Prevent 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, and they are available at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo. Patients come to our office from American Fork and Lehi for implants, general dentistry, and much more. Please call to schedule 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

 

ArticleID 8230

A Missing Tooth Can Lead to Bone Loss

Utah County tooth implants

Dental implants from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo support teeth so lifelike, patients have been known to forget some of their teeth aren’t real. That’s now natural their look and function is.

Those simple facts are enough to make most people choose dental implants if they need to replace one or more of their teeth. Then they learn that in addition to those benefits, implants can actually preserve and promote healthy bone mass in their jaws.

Dental Implants and Bone Loss

An unfortunate consequence of losing teeth is that the bone surrounding the lost tooth begins to atrophy. This begins almost immediately, and is usually noticeable within a year or so. The person’s face takes on a shrunken or sagging appearance. The more teeth that are missing, the more pronounced it is.

This happens because of the missing tooth root. But because dental implants are physically attached to the jaw, they mimic the root. The natural biting and chewing motions stimulate the bone and encourage new tissue to grow around the implant.

One dental implant can support one artificial tooth, and several can support a bridge, and even a full dental arch. At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo we have placed them in patients from American Fork and Lehi. Please give our office a call to schedule 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

 

ArticleID 8540

Implant Dentures: Fixed Or Removable?

implant dentures Provo

For anyone who has lost all of their teeth, implant-supported dentures from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo may sound like a dream come true: dentures that are attached to the jaw, and surpass traditional dentures in appearance and functionality.

Implant-supported dentures both provide numerous advantages over standard dentures.

  • Secure in the mouth—no slipping
  • Furnishes up to 100% natural chewing function
  • Upper denture doesn’t cover as much of the palate
  • Comfortable
  • Little or no gum irritation
  • Don’t impair speaking ability
  • Strong and durable
  • Implants prevent bone loss and “sunken face”
  • Minimally invasive oral surgery for implant placement

Bone Condition

Implants require a sufficient amount of healthy bone structure for placement. The condition of your jaw bone affects whether it can support implants and where the posts can be inserted.

Implant-supported dentures from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo are game-changers, and we have placed them in patients in American Fork, Lehi, and elsewhere. To find out whether they are right for you, please call our office to schedule 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

 

ArticleID 7788

How Do Implant Dentures Work?

implant dentures Provo

Dental implants are an ideal tooth restoration. They can restore anywhere from one to all missing teeth. Dental implants are available at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo.

A dental implant is a titanium post that is inserted into the patient’s jaw. What makes implants so unique is that they actually fuse with the bone, to provide a solid support for one or more artificial teeth.

The implant acts as a replacement tooth root. Because of this, they help to prevent bone recession and, in turn, support the patient’s facial structure.

What Are Implant Dentures?

Implant-supported dentures are attached to the titanium posts. It takes from four to six to support a full dental arch.

Implant dentures are usually made for the lower jaw. The reason is that conventional dentures, when placed on the lower jaw, are less stable. But implant dentures can be made for the upper jaw, too.

The titanium posts are usually inserted into the front part of the patient’s mouth. That’s because there tends to be greater bone mass there. It’s essential to have enough healthy bone to support the post. Even if the patient doesn’t, though, bone grafting can promote new growth, enough to support the implant.

Implant-supported dentures from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo transform lives! People from American Fork and Lehi call us about implants and complete family dentistry. Call our office to schedule 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

 

ArticleID 7787

How Dental Implants Are Changing Dentures

How Dental Implants are Changing Dentures in Provo

If you wear dentures, you know that they are not an ideal solution for missing teeth. They can slip, cause gum irritation, bone loss, and leave you with an inability to taste food due to a covered palate. The good news? Implant-supported dentures from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo offer a better solution.

If you currently wear traditional dentures and are not happy with them, implant anchored dentures can dramatically change your life. Your chewing ability will be similar to that of natural teeth and you will be able to eat hard foods again.

What makes them such an improvement is in the name, “implant.” A dental implant is a titanium post that is placed into the patient’s jaw. It fuses with the bone to provide a solid support for replacement teeth.

It takes multiple implants, usually four, to support a full dental arch. In addition to supporting dentures, they help to prevent bone recession.

To find out more about implant-supported dentures from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, please give us a call. We’ve placed them in patients from American Fork and Lehi, whose families also come to us for cosmetic dentistry. Schedule 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

 

ArticleID 7726

Implant-Supported Dentures Can Restore Chewing Ability

Utah County tooth implantsDid you know that conventional dentures allow for as little as ten percent of normal chewing capacity? No one wants to settle for that, which is one of the things that make implant-supported dentures from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT such a game-changer.

Unlike conventional dentures, which rest against the gums, implant dentures are connected to dental implants in your jaw. Becuase these implants have fused with the bone, they have become a part of your body, and are a rock-solid foundation for denture support.

Most patients get at least seventy percent of their chewing power from implant dentures, and many others have full chew ability.

And then there is the matter of comfort and convenience. Implant dentures do not slip or shift in the mouth while you eat. You don’t have to use messy adhesive to try to keep them in place. And you don’t have to remove them to clean them.

Finally, because they are physically attached to you, dental implants prevent the bone recession that is common to those who wear conventional dentures. You also avoid the facial sag that comes with it.

When it comes to replacing teeth, implant-supported dentures from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT are a whole new ballgame. Patients from American Fork and Lehi come to us for implants, as well as complete family dentistry. Please call our office to schedule 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

 

ArticleID 7770

You Have Nothing To Lose Except Loose Dentures

implant dentures Provo

Dental implants like those available at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo have solved the problem of loose-fitting dentures.

Instead of relying on dental adhesive to keep ordinary dentures in place, dental implants can anchor full or partial dentures. They are secure enough to allow the wearer to eat an apple, chew a thick sandwich, or share a hearty laugh with certainty.

Implants can anchor either removable or fixed dentures. They fit better than traditional dentures, and are comfortable, functional, and pleasing.

Dental implants can also help prevent bone recession that often occurs after teeth have been extracted.

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo we have restored countless smiles with dental implants. Patients from American Fork and Lehi have come to us for implants, family dentistry, and a full range of other dental services. Call for 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

 

ArticleID 7108

Dental Implants: What Makes Them Great

dental implants couple with Provo UT dentistThousands of people would agree: dental implants like those available at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo are the next best thing to natural teeth!

There are lots of reasons for this. It’s hard to rank them, but the most important may be that artificial teeth supported by dental implants are nearly as strong as natural teeth. The implants themselves are fused with the jaw bone, meaning they literally become a part of your body. Once the procedure is complete and you’re fully healed, you’ll have the same biting force you used to have.

The replacement teeth supported by implants require the same care as natural teeth. Plaque and other gunk can still build up around them and must be cleaned off. But those replacement teeth will never get cavities. By brushing and flossing like you would with natural teeth, they can last a lifetime.

Dental implants also help to preserve healthy bone. When you lose a tooth the jawbone can actually begin to shink. That’s because of the missing tooth root. When bone recedes, an unfortunate consequence is a shrunken appearance to the face. Remaining teeth can also shift position in the mouth. Implants stimulate the bone, and keep it healthy.

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo we offer single-tooth dental implants and implant-supported dentures. Call to schedule 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