Afraid of the Dentist? 5 Ways to Reduce Dental Anxiety

Posted on
Categories: Dental Health, Sedation Dentistry

dental anxiety treatment Provo

If you tense up just thinking about going to the dentist, you may benefit from sedation dentistry offered by Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo.

Millions of Americans stress out when they have to see the dentist. It is referred to as dental anxiety. There is a more severe form, too, called dental phobia. In both, some people would rather skip the dentist altogether than sit down for a checkup. The problem with that, of course, is it puts their dental health at risk.

Whatever the cause, sedation dentistry has helped millions of people get through their appointments.

We offer the following:

  • Nitrous Oxide. You also know this as laughing gas. Nitrous oxide has been used in dentistry for more than a century and is highly effective.
  • Oral conscious sedation. You take a sedative an hour or so before the appointment. You won’t sleep, but will be in a deeply relaxed state. When the appointment is over, someone will have to drive you home.
  • IV Sedation. As the name suggests, this is a sedative that is administered intravenously. You won’t sleep with this on, either, but will be in a deeply relaxed state. You’ll need an escort for a ride here and back.

Whatever the cause of your anxiety, it is essential that you do not compromise your dental health by skipping the dentist. Sedation dentistry from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo may be just for you. Our services include general 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 8533

Are There Drawbacks to Dental Implants?

Posted on
Categories: Dental Implants, Restorative Dentistry

tooth implants Orem

Dental implants have been called one of the most important steps forward in the history of modern dentistry, and we are proud to make them available to our patients at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo.

Dental implants as we know them today have been around for decades, but they’re one of those things that most people to learn about until they need one. When they do, certain questions crop up pretty consistently:

  • Are dental implant procedures too expensive?
  • Are implants unsafe?
  • Are they experimental?
  • Is the surgery painful?
  • Does it take a long time to recover?

The answer to all of these is: No.

Dental implants are an investment in a better quality of life

Dental implants aren’t cheap. We understand that. But you get so much more than a titanium post and porcelain crown or denture.

You get the ability to chew steak and raw vegetables. You gain self confidence. You preserve the shape of your face. You prevent your teeth from shifting after an extraction. You avoid embarrassing dentures slipping around in your mouth.

Permanent dental implants are a safe, mainstream dental procedure.

In healthy patients who are good candidates for the procedure, implants have a success rate around 98%. Are you thinking about an implant? We only recommend them for those who are good candidates.

If you get a permanent dental implant, it could last the rest of your life.

Dental implant surgery has very little pain and patients usually recover swiftly.

The procedure doesn’t usually take very long, though it depends on how many implants you’re getting. When it’s finished you may experience:

  • Minimal pain at the implant site
  • Minimal bleeding
  • Swelling and/or bruising of the gums and cheeks

These effects should subside after a few days. Ibuprofen and ice packs usually take care of the pain. We will have specific instructions for you.

Dental implants from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo restore smiles and restore lives! To find out if they are right for you, please call our office for 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 8271

Best Practices For A Healthy, Beautiful Smile

Posted on
Categories: Dental Health, General Dentistry

cosmetic dental Orem

It’s easy to become a little complacent about your dental health. At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, we know that all too well! Our goal in this blog post is for you to evaluate where you stand and consider how you can improve things.

Brushing

Good: Brush teeth once a day.
Better: Brush teeth right after each meal.
Best: Brush after each meal and floss correctly before bed.

Dental Checkups

Good: See us if you get a toothache.
Better: See us once a year even if you don’t notice any dental problems.
Best: Twice-yearly, have a thorough dental exam and professional dental cleaning at our office.

A White Smile

Good: Use a whitening toothpaste.
Better: Use a whitening product at home.
Best: Schedule an in-office whitening treatment.

Missing Tooth

Good enough for some people: Ignore it. (We don’t recommend this.)
Better: Get a quality dental bridge.
Best: Restore your smile with a beautiful, durable, and natural-functioning dental implant.

Smile-Friendly Nutrition

Good: Eat a healthy diet.
Better: Eat a healthy diet and limit sugary snacks and beverages.
Best: Eat a wholesome diet, limit between-meal snacking, eat lots of calcium-rich foods, minimize sugary foods, abstain from energy drinks and soda, and sip water throughout the day to keep acid at bay.

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, we are big advocates of preventative care. We want all our patients to enjoy excellent dental health. Find out why people from American Fork and Lehi trust us with their smiles! We offer general and cosmetic dentistry, and much more. Schedule a checkup 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 7397

Want A Reason To Smile All The Time?

Posted on
Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry, Dream smile, Smile Makeover

Utah County cosmetic dental and tooth implants

Do you like your smile? If your answer is no, you can always improve it. We invite you to consider a cosmetic dentistry smile makeover at Hammond Aesthetidc & General Dentistry in Provo.

There are really good reasons to upgrade your smile.

  • Look and feel younger.
  • Improve your oral health.
  • Increase your confidence.
  • Smile all the time!

A smile makeover is all about making positive changes to your teeth. The effects may be subtle or they may be quite dramatic. We can make changes to the color of your teeth, close gaps, fix chips or cracks, or re-shape gum tissue. Since it addresses aspects you dislike, you can think of it as a customized smile.

The procedures include:

  • Porcelain veneers
  • Bonding
  • Dental implants
  • Teeth whitening

One or more of these can give you a smile your friends will envy. Call us at Hammond Aesthetidc & General Dentistry in Provo to find out what cosmetic dentistry can do for you. People from American Fork and Lehi come to us for their dream smiles. Call for 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 6513

Who’s Afraid Of The Big, Bad…Dentist?

Posted on
Categories: Dental Health, General Dentistry, Sedation Dentistry

sleep dentistry Orem

Millions of people get so worked up about dental appointments that they skip going to the dentist entirely. At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo we understand that dental anxiety is a very real thing, and that for some people it’s more like dental phobia. But skipping the dentist is not a good idea. Sedation dentistry can help.

Survey after survey tells us how common fear of the dentist is. Anywhere from nine to twenty percent of adult Americans cope with it to one degree or another! Many of them exhibit what psychologists call avoidance behavior: they’ll do just about anything to avoid a dentist appointment.

The trouble with skipping the dentist entirely, of course, is that it puts your dental health at risk. We want you to have healthy teeth and gums. There is also a clear connection between dental health and overall health.

We offer three types of sedation:

  • Nitrous oxide. Laughing gas works quickly, wears off quickly, and is very effective.
  • Oral concious sedation. You take a prescribed sedative before your appointment. It puts you in a state of great relaxation. You will need a ride to and from our office.
  • IV sedation. Administered intravenously, this puts you in the deepest availalbe state of relaxation, though you will not sleep. You’ll need a ride to and from our office with this, too.

If you are coping with dental anxiety or phobia, sedation dentistry from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo offers hope. We have successfully treated many patients just like you. People from American Fork and Lehi come to our office for complete general dentistry. Call for 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 7303

Bridging The Gap

Posted on
Categories: Family Dentistry, Restorative Dentistry

cosmetic dental Provo

Do you have a missing tooth that is detracting from your otherwise pleasant smile? At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo we can fill the gap with a dental bridge, and help you get back your sensational smile!

A dental bridge could be the perfect answer for your missing tooth. A bridge not only restores your smile: it can help you chew and speak properly.

Traditional bridges are strong enough to replace a missing molar. In order to  get one, you need to have natural teeth on each side of the gap left by the missing tooth. These teeth are prepared by removing their  enamel so there is enough room for the crowns that are cemented on top of them. These two crowns support the artificial tooth.

A traditional dental bridge is just one of the tooth replacement options available at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo. People from American Fork and Lehi also come to our practice for family dentistry. Call for 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 7265

Five Fast Ways to Improve Your Smile

Posted on
Categories: Beautiful smile, Cosmetic Dentistry

cosmetic dental and implants ProvoDo you have a special event coming up? Perhaps a wedding, graduation, milestone birthday, anniversary, or reunion? At Hammond Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Provo we have five cosmetic dentistry procedures that can usually be completed in one office visit, to quickly improve your smile!

  • Veneers. Porcelain veneers have been a successful treatment for decades but we never fail to be amazed by the results. A veneer is a super-thin layer of porcelain bonded permanently to the front of a tooth. A veneer can cover a chip, hide a crack, make discoloration disappear, or correct a misshapen tooth.
  • Gum Contouring. Perhaps your teeth are sensational and healthy but you have a gumline that is too low or too high and detracts from the presentation. Gum contouring can reshape the gumline and beautify your smile.
  • Enamel Shaping. Just one slightly misshapen tooth can downgrade the aspects of a smile even if all the other teeth look great. Let us reshape the tooth so it blends in seamlessly.
  • Bonding. Dental bonding just gets better and better. Bonding is used in a multitude of applications to fix teeth with cosmetic and structural problems. The newest prep techniques are minimally invasive – leaving you with more of your own tooth structure.
  • Teeth Whitening. Make your smile pop with professional in-office teeth whitening. There is nothing like a terrific white smile to give you optimal confidence.

Cosmetic dentistry from Hammond Aesthetic and General Dentistry in Provo is an investment that will bless you every day. We’ve improved the smiles of people from American Fork and Lehi, who also come to our office for 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

 

ArticleID 7169

Why is the 4-Step Tooth Implant Timeline Necessary?

Posted on
Categories: Beautiful smile, Dental Implants, Restorative Dentistry

why does a tooth implant take several months? Provo

Dental implants from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo are state-of-the-art in tooth replacement.

The process for getting an implant can take several months, but don’t let that discourage you. Each stage of the procedure is important. It’s not a drawback; it is indicative of the permanent nature of an implant.

The Dental Implant Timeline

1. Dental Implant Examination and Assessment

A complete tooth implant and restoration consists of the post or root replacement, the abutment, and the final restoration (crown, denture, bridge, or partial denture).

It all starts with a consultation. We’ll take X-rays and analyze your mouth and examine your teeth, gums, and jawbone. If you don’t have adequate bone at the implant site, we may recommend bone grafting.

2. Placement

The first step is to insert the titanium implant into your jawbone. This is not as difficult or painful as it sounds. Most patients are surprised at how fast and easy the procedure is. It usually takes one to two hours.

Over-the-counter pain relievers are usually enough for post-surgery discomfort. Most people can go back to work after the surgery.

3. Osseointegration

The key to implant placement is called osseointegration, which means the titanium post fusing with the bone. In most cases it takes three to six months for this to happen. Once it does, you’ve got a rock-solid foundation for the implant.,

4. Placing the Final Restoration

The final step is a crown, bridge, or denture. A connecting piece called an abutment attaches the restoration to the artificial root(s). The crown, bridge, or denture is all that is visible at the end of the process.

Teeth supported by dental implants from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo are life-changing. We’ve placed them in patients from American Fork and Lehi. We also offer porcelain veneers and other cosmetic dentistry, and much more. Please 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 8248

Royalty At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry

Posted on
Categories: Dental Crowns, Restorative Dentistry

porcelain crown Provo

When we crown one of our patients at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, the coronation is a celebration of a stronger smile.

The need for a dental crown is usually apparent. Crowns (sometimes called caps) restore a decayed or damaged tooth to its original size, shape, and functionality.

Crowns are sometimes extended down to a tooth’s root surface. Most often, though, they replace the top portion of the tooth – also known as the crown, hence the name of the restoration.

Dental crowns are custom-made for each tooth. Once a crown is cemented permanently into place, they strengthen what was a weakened tooth. They prevent cracked teeth from cracking any further and provide support to teeth that have large, existing fillings.

Dental crowns from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo are an excellent solution for damaged teeth. We have placed them in patients from American Fork and Lehi, who also come to our practice for dental implants and much more. Call our office to schedule a checkup 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 6944

Why Fluoride Is Essential For Your Child’s Oral Health

Posted on
Categories: Dental Health, Family Dentistry

This message from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo is about fluoride, and its role in dental health.

Fluoride is a mineral that helps teeth stay strong. It is found in some foods and water, and is added to many toothpastes.

Fluoride plays a key role in children’s dental health. Kids should start using fluoride toothpaste when they are old enough to spit while brushing. Start with a tiny pea-sized dab, gradually increasing the amount as they grow.

Fluoride treatments help teeth by making them stronger and more resistant to cavity-causing bacteria. Perhaps not surprisingly, the single most common problem in children’s teeth are cavities. According to one study, sixty percent of kids in the United States have at least one cavity by the age of five, and one of every five kids has untreated tooth decay.

A good brushing and flossing routing at home, and regular checkups at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, can help. We offer complete family dentistry. People from American Fork and Lehi also come to us for dental implants, and much more. 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 8176