Don’t Let Fear Of The Dentist Compromise Your Oral Health

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Categories: Dental Health, Family Dentistry, Sedation Dentistry

sleep dental 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.

There are lots of reasons why people develop anxiety or phobia over dental care. It often stems from a bad experience they had with a dentist as a kid. Fear of pain may be involved, as well as a fear of anesthesics and possible side effects.

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

We offer three types:

  • 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 your issue is, 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 family 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 8082

Are Dental Implants Worth It?

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Categories: Dental Health, Dental Implants

Are Provo Dental Implants Worth It?A dental implant from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo is a permanent tooth replacement that looks, feels and functions like a natural tooth. Are they worth the investment? Absolutely!

Techniclly, a dental implant is a titanium post that is surgically placed into the jaw bone. It replaces the root of the missing tooth. The post integrates with the bone to provide a stable foundation for one or more artificial teeth.

When the implant has fused  with the bone (it can take up to six months), a smaller post called an abutment is attached. This post extends above the gum line. An artificial tooth (crown) is then attached. Same day implants are available for some patients that fit the criteria. Schedule a consultation so we can discuss your situation.

One dental implant can support one missing tooth. A series of implants can anchor a dental bridge, or a set of dentures. The dental implants available at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo are extremely versatile and can be used in a variety of configurations. We also offer a full range of family dentistry services. 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 790

Improving Smiles with Cosmetic Dentistry

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Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry, Dream smile

Cosmetic dentistry is really coming into its own. Trend-watchers say that more and more people are choosing it every day to improve their smiles, with the procedures that are available at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo.

We all want to look our best. But cosmetic dentistry isn’t just about vanity; it is good for your dental health. For example, straight teeth in the correct position are easier to care for, and make for a healthier mouth. That probably explains why clear braces are among the most popular cosmetic dentistry options; they can straighten your teeth, and are almost undetectable as you wear them.

Clear braces are not, of course, the only cosmetic dentistry option. Teeth whitening is one of the most popular procedures out there. A lot of people try to get whiter teeth at home, and there is a nearly bewildering selection of over-the-counter whitening products on the market. But none of them – not toothpastes, strips, or gels – can match the power of professional-grade teeth whitening.

Also in demand are porcelain veneers. They can completely transform the appearance of your smile, and like other cosmetic dentistry, are minimally invasive. A thin layer of tooth enamel is removed before veneers are permanently attached to your teeth. After that, you’ve got a mega-watt smile.

These and other cosmetic dentistry procedures can be completed without any pain at all. So if you’re looking to upgrade your smile, or simply restore integrity to yellowed or damaged teeth, we have a procedure for you at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo.

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604

Healthy Habits To Keep You Smiling

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Categories: Dental Health, Family Dentistry

tips for healthy teeth Provo

In this post from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, we concentrate on critical behaviors that impact dental health. Brushing and flossing are two essential habits, but there are many more things we can do to maintain a healthy smile.

Diet Do’s

  • Do eat a nutritious diet with a variety of foods. This is necessary for overall physical health and a strong immune system.
  • Do consume calcium-rich dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt to neutralize acids that are harmful to enamel.

Diet Don’ts

  • Don’t eat sugary foods. Sugar leads to the production of detrimental cavity-causing acids that weaken enamel and lead to cavities.
  • Don’t snack throughout the day. This accelerates plaque production and subjects the teeth to continual contact with acids.
  • Don’t chew on ice. (It really can chip teeth.)
  • Don’t drink energy drinks. They have many substances that are detrimental to teeth.

Other Important Tips

  • Don’t use your teeth as tools. It is smarter to cut that knotted shoelace than to gnaw at it to try to untangle it.
  • Don’t get piercings in or around your mouth.
  • Don’t ignore tooth pain or sensitivity.
  • If you have children, talk to Dr. Hammond about water fluoridation. If your municipal water supply is not fluoridated, you may want to give your little ones fluoride supplements.
  • Don’t use a medium or hard bristle toothbrush. It can damage gums.
  • If you have an eating disorder – seek professional help immediately. Bulimia and anorexia are extremely damaging to teeth. (Not to mention the toll they take on the heart and other organs.)

We encourage all of our patients to maintain a lifestyle that supports dental health as well as overall physical health. At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry, we offer family and cosmetic dentistry, and specialties like dental implants. 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 7307

Don’t Skip the Dentist! Sedation Dentistry

Posted on
Categories: Dental Health, Sedation Dentistry

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.

There are lots of reasons why people develop anxiety or phobia over dental care. It often stems from a bad experience they had with a dentist as a kid. Fear of pain is often involved, as well as a fear of anesthesics and possible side effects.

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

We offer three types:

  • 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 your issue is, 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 family 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

 

Dental Implants And Smile Makeovers

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Categories: Beautiful smile, Cosmetic Dentistry

smile makeovers Provo

Some questions from the team at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo:

What makes a pleasing smile?

White teeth? Uniformly-shaped teeth? Straight teeth?

What issues prevent stunning smiles?

Crooked teeth are ordinarily considered unattractive. Yellow or gray teeth decrease the appeal of a smile—even one that is perfectly healthy and aligned.

Beauty, it has been said, is in the eye of the beholder, but most people agree that missing teeth detract from a smile. When smiling, talking, laughing, or eating, a missing tooth shows. Even if the remaining teeth are white, straight, and pleasingly shaped, the eyes fixate on the gap that should hold a tooth.

Dental Implants and Smile Makeovers

The good news? You can restore missing teeth with dental implants! You can fix other problems with cosmetic dentistry. The combination is called a smile transformation.

Cosmetic dentists combine dental implants with additional procedures to create stunning smiles. Possible treatments include teeth whitening, orthodontia, veneers, white filling replacement, and gum contouring.

They use basic design principals in smile makeovers. These include size, shape, alignment, proportion, color, and translucency. Additionally, they also consider the aspects of the gums, lips, and facial features.

If you want an attractive smile, talk to us at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo about dental implants and cosmetic dentistry. Learn about the possibilities for your smile.

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 8097

Smile Makeovers

Posted on
Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry, Smile Makeover

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistyry in Provo, we use cosmetic dentistry every day to create fabulous new smiles for our patients. We call this a “smile makeover.” What exactly does it entail?

A smile makeover means using the techniques of cosmetic dentistry to make positive changes to your smile. These techniques might include:

  • Teeth whitening
  • Porcelain veneers
  • Bonding
  • Gum contouring
  • Clear braces

A beautiful smile is the sum of its parts. With the patient’s input, we do a smile analysis to evaluate his or her smile. Our goal is to bring the teeth, skeletal structures, and muscles into harmony. It’s a complicated endeavor, requiring an understanding of how all of these components relate to one another.

Any one of the techniques listed above will go a long way toward transforming your smile. Two or more can leave you with the smile of your dreams.

To find out what cosmetic dentistry can do for your smile, call us at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistyry in Provo. Other services include dental implants. 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

Debunking Dental Myths

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Categories: Dental Health, Family Dentistry

Provo cosmetic dental and tooth implants

This post from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo focuses on three dental-related myths.

All Sugar Is Equally Bad For Teeth
We all know that sugar increases our risk of tooth decay, but some types are worse than others. Sugar-based foods that sit on the teeth are more dangerous than those that are swallowed immediately. Sipping a soda or sucking on a mint can be worse than eating a candy bar all at once.

You Don’t Need To Worry About Baby Teeth Because They Will Fall Out Anyway
Healthy primary teeth serve several important purposes. They allow the child to eat and speak properly. They retain proper spacing of teeth. A healthy smile instills confidence and self-esteem. Healthy baby teeth eliminate the pain of decay which disrupts normal daily activity.

Pulling A Tooth Is Just As Good As A Root Canal
We will let the American Associate of Endodontists explain this one:
Saving your natural teeth, if possible, is the very best option. Nothing can completely replace your natural tooth. An artificial tooth can sometimes cause you to avoid certain foods. Keeping your own teeth is important so that you can continue to enjoy the wide variety of foods necessary to maintain the proper nutrient balance in your diet. Endodontic treatment, along with appropriate restoration, is a cost-effective way to treat teeth with damaged pulp and is usually less expensive than extraction and placement of a bridge or an implant. Endodontic treatment also has a very high success rate. Many root canal-treated teeth last a lifetime.

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry, we provide accurate answers to all of your dental questions. Our services include cosmetic dentistry, including dental implants and porcelain veneers. 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 6498

Into The Thick Of It, The Skinny On Toothpaste

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Categories: Dental Health, Family Dentistry

Lehi cosmetic dental and tooth implants

This article from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo answers some common questions about toothpaste.

Why does toothpaste seem gritty?

The abrasive nature of toothpaste is to assist in removing dental plaque and food from the surface of the teeth. Vigorous brushing becomes unnecessary for dental patients when the abrasives in the toothpaste can snag the mouth’s lingering bits of food and polish the enamel at the same time.

What’s with the strong minty flavors?

Minty flavorants are used to encourage continued use of the paste and to freshen breath. However, powerful toothpaste alone is not designed to cure halitosis (bad breath) for people affected. While unflavored toothpastes exist, the world has also seen such flavors as peanut butter, iced tea, and ginger. To treat halitosis it is best to prohibit periodontal disease and to also brush bacteria from far back on the tongue. Removing the source is critical and more effective than covering it up with minty flavorings.

What is Fluoride’s place in a toothpaste?

Fluoride occurs in small amounts in plants, animals, and some natural water sources. It is championed by health-conscious men and women for preventing tooth decay and controlling gingivitis. Fluoride-containing compounds are present in many toothpastes to add another vital dimension to the oral hygiene regimen for preventing decay.

How are toothpaste and flossing related?

Flossing regularly in conjunction with toothbrushing assists in prevent bacterial growth, tooth decay, and plaque build-up by simply removing chunks of food or substances that could break down the tooth.

Finally, what about the relationship between toothpaste and mouthwash?

The use of mouthwash cannot replace regular brushing and flossing. Mouthwash (or fluoride rinse) simply adds yet another effective layer of defense against bacterial growth in the mouth.

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, we pride ourselves on excellence in dentistry. Services include family dentistry, and specialties like dental implants and porcelain veneers. 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 5591

Dental Implants Don’t Require Several Visits

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Categories: Dental Health, Dental Implants

teeth implants Orem

Think you don’t have time to fix your smile? It may not take as long as you think. We’re all different, but in most cases, dental implants at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo take fewer visits than they used to.

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

If you are self-conscious about missing teeth or ill-fitting dentures, don’t wait any longer. Permanent dental implants look and feel like your own teeth. They can serve as a strong and stable foundation for dentures, support a dental bridge, or replace a damaged tooth. All without disturbing the surrounding teeth.

Since tooth implants fuse with your jaw bone, they help avert bone loss and gum recession.

Schedule a dental implant consultation with Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, and we’ll design a comprehensive treatment plan for you. We also offer procedures like porcelain veneers, and clear braces from Invisalign. 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 8087