Restorative Dentistry

What are Implant-Stabilized Dentures?

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Categories: Dental Health, Dental Implants, Restorative Dentistry

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

Replace Old Silver Fillings

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Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Health, Restorative Dentistry

white fillings Provo

Superficial cuts in the skin subside without a trace, infections are wiped out with antibiotics, broken bones mend, and inflamed tissues subside. Our teeth, unfortunately, can’t regenerate. Decay can be halted in its progress, but scientists are still years away from actual enamel regeneration. That’s why the team at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT always emphasizes preventative dentistry.

The healthiest mouths have all teeth intact and free of current or former decay. But how many smiles can boast such an admirable record? Very few. The stark reality is that most people get one or more cavities over the course of their lifetime.

In fact, most individuals probably don’t even know someone who has never had a cavity. Tooth decay is second only to the common cold as the most frequent health dilemma in childhood. When we reach middle age, many of us have even had a root canal or two.

At our practice, we help with cavities and other ailments, and always make sure to send you home with a toothbrush and proper care information. This way, you can prevent the next visit with consistent, proper brushing and flossing.

Restorations Have Come a Long Way

For those who are not lucky enough to have a good dental history, modern restorations might be the answer. Restorative dentistry has changed over the years, and new dental treatments have many advantages over those in years past. You might recall a time when fillings were all silver and did not blend in with the existing enamel.

Nowadays, we can match the exact tone of your natural smile with tooth-colored fillings. Combine it with teeth whitening, and you’ve got yourself a brand-new smile!. In general, restorations are made of stronger and more natural-looking materials these days, so you don’t have to worry about anyone noticing your dental work.

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT, we offer complete general, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry and focus on patient comfort. Patients from American Fork and Lehi visit us and leave with brighter, healthier smiles. 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

 

Want to Fill Those Gaps in Your Smile?

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Categories: Dental Health, Dental Implants, Restorative Dentistry

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

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Categories: Dental Health, Dental Implants, Restorative Dentistry

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

 

Are Dental Implants Experimental?

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Categories: Dental Health, Dental Implants, Restorative Dentistry

tooth implants Orem

Dental implants are tooth replacement marvels that have been placed in millions of people. They look and function just like the real thing, and are available at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT.

Technically, dental implants are not replacement teeth. The actual implant is a titanium post that is inserted into your jaw. In a few months’ time, it fuses with the bone. One implant is a solid support for one artificial tooth. Several can support a bridge or full dental arch.

Humans have tinkered with implanting teeth for thousands of years. The origins of modern dental implants date back to the early 1950s, when it was discovered that titanium can fuse with bone.

An implant was successfully placed in a human in 1965. The technology has steadily improved, and, today, dental implants have gone from experimental to mainstream.

It’s the ability to fuse with the bone that make implants so successful. Some studies have shown a success rate as high as 98%! Cases of the body rejecting them are rare.

Dental implants dramatically improve your ability to bite and chew. In most patients it is normal to near-normal. They restore your smile, too. But they also prevent the bone loss common to people with missing teeth.

Are dental implants experimental? Far from it! At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT, we have placed implants on patients from American Fork and Lehi. People also come to us for general 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 8258

Think It’s Not Necessary To Replace Missing Back Teeth?

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Categories: Dental Health, Dental Implants, Restorative Dentistry

dental implants Provo

Sometimes when people lose a back tooth, they wonder whether they should bother doing anything about it. After all, the gap doesn’t show when they smile and there are other teeth to do the chewing. Why not leave it be and save some money? Actually, there are several very good reasons to replace a back tooth with a dental implant from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT.

The adjacent tooth (or teeth) may start shifting. If a tooth tilts, moves, or rotates, it can impact the bite. The unopposed tooth can also move, though it generally moves outward from the bone (over-eruption). Teeth that are displaced can become more vulnerable to gum disease, decay, or TMJ pain.

The underlying bone will begin to atrophy. Without the tooth root, the jaw bone shrinks. This changes the dimensions of the face and gives it a sunk-in look due to a decline in supporting bone. The vertical shortening progresses and becomes more pronounced as you get older.

There will be additional stress on the teeth that take over the chewing functions. This can bring about excessive wear, fracture, or pain.

If you have a missing back tooth and want to learn about dental implants, call Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT. People from American Fork and Lehi come to us for dental implants and for comprehensive general dentistry services. 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 7768

What If My Tooth Gets Knocked Out?

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Categories: Dental Health, Restorative Dentistry

tooth injury Provo

It can happen in an instant: a blow to the mouth so violent, it knocks out a tooth. This is an authentic dental emergency and you need immediate care, like what we offer at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT.

If you venture on to a playing field, even if it’s only for touch football, it can happen. It might also be the result of a household accident. Regardless, if it happens, here it what you should do:

  1. Find the Tooth
    You may be in panic mode, so try to remember asking for help. When you find the tooth, handle it carefully. Keep it in the best condition possible. We may be able to reinsert it.
  2. Don’t Touch the Root!
    Remember to NOT touch the tooth by the root. Only hold it by the crown (the chewing part). It’s okay to gently rinse the tooth in water, but don’t scrub it or remove any tissue fragments. This is crucial and bears repeating: do not remove any tissue from the tooth. That bloody goo is valuable. It can help your tooth re-attach. At this point, the best place for the tooth is back in the socket. If you decide to put it there, place it gently. It may not be possible, so don’t force it. If it’s an injured child, don’t even try.
  3. Keep the Tooth Safe
    Holding the tooth between the lip and gum or under the tongue is a good option, but be careful you don’t swallow it. If neither of these is possible, place the tooth in a cup of milk, or wrap it in cloth moistened with saliva.
  4. Get To The Dentist ASAP!
    Remember, a knocked out tooth is a clear-cut dental emergency, and you’re in a race against the clock. If you receive treatment within an hour, chances are good the tooth can be saved.

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT we offer emergency dentistry, along with complete general dentistry services. Call ahead if you can, but if there’s a knocked out tooth, getting here as soon as you can is the main thing! We serve satisfied patients from American Fork and Lehi. Request 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 8157

Getting a Dental Implant May Not Take as Long as You Think

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Categories: Dental Implants, Restorative Dentistry

teeth implants OremThink you don’t have time to transform your smile? Getting a dental implant from Hammond Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Provo UT may not take as long as you think.

Each case is different. But in most, complete implant procedures take fewer visits than they used to. We can usually restore missing teeth with just a couple of visits.

Don’t rely on second-hand accounts or outdated information. We invite you to come and get the facts.

Call Us Today

If you are embarrassed by missing teeth or ill-fitting dentures, don’t wait any longer. Completed dental implants look and feel like natural teeth. Implants can serve as a sturdy foundation for dentures, support a dental bridge, or replace a damaged tooth, without disturbing the surrounding teeth

Since dental implants fuse with your jaw bone, they also help prevent bone loss.

If you are missing one or more teeth, please call us at Hammond Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Provo UT and we can discuss your dental implant options. We’ve helped people throughout American Fork and Lehi, who also come to us for complete general dentistry, and all their dental care needs. 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 8548

Tooth Implant Placement: Before, During, After

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Categories: Dental Implants, Restorative Dentistry

Dental implants are rapidly becoming the tooth replacement option of choice. Millions of Americans have chosen implants, like those available at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo. Once the decision is made, patients usually want to know what’s involved every step of the way.

Before the Procedure

It begins with a consultation and preliminary exam. We’ll take X-rays of your teeth and jaw to make sure you have enough healthy bone structure. If you don’t, we may recommend bone grafting.

We’ll also inspect your gums for any signs of gum disease. Healthy gums are essential for a successful implant.

During Implant Surgery

After administering anesthesia, a guide hole is drilled into your jaw and a titanium post – which is the actual implant – is screwed in. The process takes about an hour.

After

Some patients experience minor pain and swelling. Over-the-counter pain relievers are usually enough to control it. An icepack can help, too. Most people can resume their usual activities the same day.

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo we have placed dental implants in people from American Fork and Lehi, who also come to us for our complete general dentistry. Call to 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

 

ArticleID 8174

The Rate of Bone Loss After Extraction Can Be Slowed or Stopped With an Implant

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Categories: Dental Implants, Restorative Dentistry

bone loss after tooth extraction A serious side effect of losing a tooth by extraction, accident, or disease is the potential for bone loss. This can be minimized, or even avoided outright, with a dental implant from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo.

The alveolar bone

The bone surrounding the teeth is called alveolar bone. Its main job is to support the teeth and provide a tough foundation for tooth roots. Normal mouth function maintains bone health. As you chew, it stimulates bone cells to consistently produce new bone.

When a tooth is lost, the bone where the tooth once was is at risk. The forces of chewing no longer stimulate the bone in that area. The bone begins to get narrower, then shorter.

Studies have shown that a considerable amount of alveolar bone loss can take place within six weeks of losing the tooth. Since it recedes so quickly, the sooner you can get an implant, the better.

Unfortunatley, conventional dentures do nothing to prevent bone loss. A dental implant, however, simulates the natural tooth root and stimulates the bone.

Whether it’s for one or more lost teeth, dental implants from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo help to prevent bone loss. People from American Fork and Lehi also come to us for comprehensive general dentistry. 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

 

ArticleID 8267