Is The Humble Toothbrush Obsolete?

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Categories: Dental Health, General Dentistry

Are manual toothbrushes obsolete? Would you believe people have been asking that question for more than fifty years? At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT, we assure you that the answer is no. When it comes to maintaining your dental health, an old school manual toothbrush is one of your best friends.

“Wait a minute,” you might say, “isn’t an electric toothbrush better than a manual toothbrush?”

That very question was addressed in the Journal of the American Dental Association, way back in 1964. Their article sensibly concluded that all toothbrushes, when used properly, are effective at removing food debris and plaque to keep your smile free of decay.

Use What Works

Electric toothbrushes are great, and they certainly have their place. But they do not do a better job cleaning teeth, simply because they’re electric. For most people, it comes down to personal preference. Manual and electric do a good job cleaning your teeth. An electric toothbrush can be a tremendous benefit to anyone with issues like arthritis. A manual may take a little longer. But they’re a lot cheaper!

At the end of the day, though, the choice is yours. When it comes to any toothbrush, the most important thing is to choose one with soft bristles. They are gentle on the gums, but still effective in brushing away plaque.

When all is said and done, the important thing is to find a toothbrush that works for you, and then use it. At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT, we stress the importance of brushing and flossing twice a day. People from American Fork and Lehi trust us with their dental health, and come to our office 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

What If My Dental Insurance Doesn’t Cover Dental Implants?

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Categories: Dental Implants, Restorative Dentistry

dental implant financing Provo

For years, the dental industry has been advocating implants as the preferable tooth restoration option in most circumstances.

But many dental insurance providers don’t cover tooth implants. The dental insurance industry seems to be stuck in 1970. For example, many insurers will cover dental bridges.

Clearly, dental insurance companies rarely make coverage decisions based on what is best for the patient.

However, you shouldn’t give up on tooth implants if your dental insurer doesn’t cover them. You may be able to get coverage for part of the procedure. Or your medical insurance may cover part of the treatment program.

What to do if your dental insurer doesn’t cover tooth implants

  • Have your implant dentist provide a detailed implant treatment plan in writing
  • Armed with your treatment plan, talk to both your dental insurance company and your medical insurance provider
  • Ask your dental insurance provider if they will give you an allowance equal to the cost of a bridge or traditional dentures
  • Ask your dental insurance provider if they will cover the cost of the crown(s)
  • If your tooth loss has medical complications, your health insurance provider might cover some elements of the implant treatment
  • Consider switching dental insurance providers–if your employer offers more than one dental option, contact the other provider(s) to find out if they cover implants
  • Pay for tooth implants instead of premiums: consider not renewing your dental insurance and use the money saved toward the cost of implants
  • Look into dental implant-specific insurance–some organizations are filling a need in the industry by offering dental insurance designed specifically for tooth implants and related services
  • Ask Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry about financing and payment options

Dental implants are a wise investment in your health and quality of life. If you need implants but your insurance doesn’t cover them, talk to us at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry.

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604

2023 Is The Year To Replace Missing Teeth

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Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Implants

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

Holidays Bring Dental Health Hazards

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Categories: Dental Health, General Dentistry

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT, we don’t like providing the reality check; especially around the holidays. Everyone wants to think positively and enjoy their time, and that’s well and good. But we would be an ineffective dental team if we didn’t remind you to take extra care of your teeth this holiday season.

With dinners and parties just around the corner – or in the rearview – you’re bound to be facing some sticky or brittle food debris that is threatening to lodge itself in your gum-line. If this happens, and you don’t clean it off with proper brushing and flossing, you might be facing greater problems come January and February.

In the first few hours, the bacteria from this food will coat your teeth. However, this plaque is removable until it turns into tartar. Once it’s attached to your teeth, only a professional cleaning will be able to remove it.

If it’s not removed, it can contribute to conditions like gum disease, inflammation, and even tooth loss. Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT wants all our patients to avoid these and enjoy many holiday seasons for years to come. We offer general and cosmetic dentistry, and serve satisfied patients in 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

Why A Water Flosser Might Be A Good Idea

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Categories: Dental Health, Family Dentistry

Provo should I use waterpik?

Water flossers have been around for more than fifty years, and there have been at least that many studies on their effectiveness. At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT, we’re using this space to present what is known about water flossers, and whether they’re better than ordinary string floss in preventing tooth decay, gum disease, and other issues.

Dental Floss

First of all, the main benefit of standard dental floss – string floss – is that it passes easily between the teeth to remove food debris and plaque. It is easy to use, inexpensive, readily available, and a very efficient way of removing plaque.

On the down side, some people find it hard to reach certain areas of the mouth, like way in back. It can cause minor bleeding, and gum sensitivity. People with agility issues may find it hard to use.

Water Flossing

Water flossers use pulsing water to clean between teeth and along the gum line. A special machine directs a jet spray that can be very effective. They too are easy to use, and in addition to cleaning your teeth can also massage the gums.

They’re great for people with braces and other dental work. The stream of pulsing water makes it easy to get those areas that are harder to reach with string floss. They are also an excellent solution for people with issues like arthritis.

On the other hand, water flossers can be expensive. You need to find a place to store them when not in use. And they require electricity.

The Bottom Line

It isn’t necessarily an either/or situation. The best dental health routine at home may well be to floss, brush, and water floss – not necessarily in that order. The sequence in which these are done comes down to your personal preference. To put it another way: whatever works!

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT, we think the most important thing, by far, is that you establish a dental health routine that you practice every day. People from American Fork and Lehi come to our office for regular checkups. We offer 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

 

Cosmetic Dental Masterpieces

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Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry, Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT are a versatile cosmetic dentistry treatment that can improve a range of flaws on any smile, and leave you with a dental masterpiece!

Veneers are thin shells of medical-grade ceramic that are attached to the front of your teeth. They are custom-fitted for each tooth. Once they are in place, your smile will be as near to perfect as possible!

Benefits of Veneers

  • Cover Chips and Cracks In Teeth: Chips and cracks can diminish any smile. Veneers can cover them with a completely natural appearance.
  • Cover Gaps: If there are little gaps between any of your front teeth, veneers are in ideal solution.
  • Restore Worn Enamel: Tooth enamel can wear away, and, unfortunately, will not replace itself. Once a veneer is bonded to the tooth, it becomes a new protective layer.
  • Enjoy Increased Confidence: Nothing beats a perfect smile to boost your self-esteem. As a bonus, veneers are low-maintenance and stain-resistant. You’ll still need to brush and floss, though!

Porcelain veneers from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT can give you a fabulous new smile. We’ve placed them on people from American Fork and Lehi, who also come to us for complete 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 8571

Your Smile Can Be Brighter and Lighter

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Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry, Teeth Whitening

Provo teeth whitening

No one can miss a fabulous smile, and a really good one is a valuable asset professionally and socially. If you’d like yours to be brighter and lighter, cosmetic dentistry from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT can deliver!

With our professional-grade teeth whitening services, we can dramatically brighten your smile in a single office visit. Imagine: You walk into our office for your scheduled appointment, with teeth that have grown dull and yellow over the years. When you leave, you’re flashing a brilliant new smile.

We have GLO in-office whitening, which can brighten and lighten your smile in a single office visit. At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo UT, teeth whitening is just one of our cosmetic dentistry services. We’ve brightened smiles of people all over 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

ArticleID 8572

General and Family Dentistry in Provo

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Categories: Dental Implants, Family Dentistry, General Dentistry

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

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Categories: Dental Implants, Restorative Dentistry

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

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Categories: Dental Health, 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