Dr. Hammond Knows When A Simple Problem Can Become Serious

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Categories: Dental Health, Family Dentistry

canker sore treatment Orem

In this blog post from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo we are going to discuss those small irritations in the mouth that have the potential to become big problems.

Injuries, sores, or inflammation in the mouth can be very uncomfortable. These non-specific irritations, called stomatitis, have many different causes.

They may be caused by cold sores, gum disease, teeth grinding, or biting the inside of your mouth. They may also be triggered by broken teeth or braces.

In fact, any inflammation of the membranes in the mouth can be classified as stomatitis. Stomatitis can influence a person’s ability to speak, eat, and even to fall asleep at night.

Fortunately, most of these irritations clear up on their own within a couple of weeks. However, there is a possibility that a viral or bacterial infection can occur. It’s important to let us know about these sores if they don’t clear up after several weeks. Even if there are no complications, we can help you treat the symptoms of stomatitis.

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, services include family dentistry, and specialties like dental implants and clear braces. 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 5204

Better and Better: The Future of Implants

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Categories: Beautiful smile, Dental Implants

 

Dentists are always reminding their patients to brush and floss their teeth. It’s the best way to ensure healthy teeth and gums. But we know that in spite of everyone’s best efforts, some of our patients are going to lose a tooth. When that happens, Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo recommends dental implants.

Humans have experimented with replacing lost teeth for thousands of years. Archaeologists tell us that the first known instance of an implanted tooth comes from the remains of an Egyptian king, whose upper jaw had a copper peg in it. They think it was hammered into place, but that’s an image we do not want to dwell on.

Other ancient cultures experimented with carved bamboo, pieces of stone and steel, and even sea shells. Rest assured, dental implants since then have come a long, long way. Today dental implants are a titanium post that is surgically placed in the patient’s jaw. One implant can support a single artificial tooth. Multiple implants can support a set of dentures.

Dental prognosticators say that implants are going to get even better, and that improvements aren’t that far down the road. We can expect faster healing and even lower failure rates, which are already pretty low.

At present, the most common cause of failure in dental implants is oral microbial infection. New generations of dental implants are expected to feature a reservoir that slowly releases anti-microbial medicine that prevents the growth of bacteria.

To find out whether dental implants are right for you, call Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo. Other services include clear braces from Invisalign. 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

 

Let Your Kids Fight The Evil Cavity-Causing Sorceress

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Categories: Dental Health, Family Dentistry

children

A smartphone or tablet could be another vital tool to help kids create effective dental hygiene habits. In this post from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, we want to tell you about a game called Toothsavers, an app that focuses on dental health.

In the exciting Toothsavers game (designed for ages 3 – 6), children try to save characters from an evil sorceress who inflicts cavities and other oral ailments on residents of her kingdom. Players use their fingers to ‘clean’ the characters’ teeth in the game.

The game is designed to encourage pre-teens to brush correctly for two minutes twice a day, and to create awareness of the importance of proper oral hygiene.

Toothsavers was created by the American Dental Association and Ad Council in partnership with 35 other organizations.

“Mobile technology plays a major role in influencing young people’s behavior and is a great fit for this campaign,” said Peggy Conlon, president and CEO of the Ad Council. “We’re thrilled to release our first mobile game, which represents our ongoing efforts to use technology to promote health, education and well-being. We look forward to using this app to help kids maintain healthy oral health habits, and have fun while doing it!”

The game allows young children to time and log their toothbrushing. It also has alerts to remind them when it’s time to brush. As part of the game, users watch engaging two-minute instructional videos while they brush their teeth (in the real world). A new character is unlocked each day a player watches a video while brushing morning and night. Best of all, the app is free! It can be downloaded at the App Store or Google Play.

Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo gives a thumbs-up to anything that encourages kids to develop good dental hygiene habits. Our services include family and cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, and more. Make an appointment for you or your kids 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 6689

What’s The Difference Between An Inlay And An Onlay?

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Categories: Aesthetic dentistry, Beautiful smile, Cosmetic Dentistry

tooth colored fillings Provo

If you have tooth sensitivity or pain in your back teeth when you chew, the surfaces may be damaged. One possible remedy is the use of an inlay or onlay made of metal, composite resin, or porcelain, one of the cosmetic dentistry options available from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Orem.

Inlays are very strong and shaped to precisely fit a hole in a damaged tooth. The choice of an inlay or onlay depends on how much decay and tooth loss has occurred.

An inlay resembles a filling and fills a small part of the tooth, while an onlay covers one or more of the cusps on the top of the tooth. In other words, an inlay fills a hole without changing the shape of the tooth, while an onlay builds up the tooth surface to restore its original dimension.

The procedure begins with a thorough evaluation, oral x-ray, and an impression. The damaged area will be removed and then the inlay or onlay will be formed to precisely fit your tooth and bite. While it is being made, your tooth will have a temporary restoration piece to cover and guard the vulnerable area.

Finally, the inlay or onlay will be placed and permanently bonded to the tooth. Since the procedure requires removal of damaged tooth material, restoration fabrication at the lab, and the placement on the tooth, it will take a few appointments to complete the process.

Inlays and onlays guard the tooth from further degeneration, provide natural function, and are durable and inconspicuous.

Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Orem provides many cosmetic dentistry services, including porcelain veneers and dental implants. Call our office today 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 7075

3 Point Checklist Before Your Dental Consultation

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Categories: Dental Health, Family Dentistry, General Dentistry

family dentist Provo

Looking for a dentist because you’re losing the battle with plaque build-up, chipped teeth, tooth pain, stains, or cavities? Here are three steps to take before you arrive at Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo for a consultation.

The state of your mouth is critical to your fitness, both emotionally and physically. Everyone wants to make a pleasing impression when they smile or speak. We understand that.

The look, the odor, the feel, the functionality of your biting surfaces are so important to your everyday experience that we recognize our vital role in finding answers to these issues.

After you schedule a consultation with our team, please take a moment to review the following checklist for a productive appointment experience:

  1. Evaluate your hygiene routine and gaps in technique or consistency.
    When do you brush your teeth? Do you floss? How often? If not, why? We can discuss your habits and determine what is holding you back, if anything.
  2. Identify pain or problem areas throughout your mouth.
    Persistent or intermittent? Sharp or dull? Triggered by hot or cold? Living with pain is needless with the technology and expertise available these days. Usually there are straightforward solutions to seemingly big pains. Let us address all your aches.
  3. Identify and explain what you want your smile to look like.
    If you can describe your prime smile, we can look at how to attain it. There are numerous possibilities for a fantastic smile makeover as well as dental maintenance procedures. Cosmetic dentistry runs the gamut from teeth whitening to veneers to dental implants.

We welcome questions about the cost of porcelain veneers, the price of filling a cavity, or placing a crown. We have answers for you. We are equipped and trained in care perfect for your needs. Our services include dental implants, along with family and cosmetic dentistry.

When it comes to looking for a dentist in Provo or the surrounding communities, please know that you will be in gentle and capable hands with the team at Hammond Aesthetic & General 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 6934

Restore Or Replace: New Life For Your Damaged Tooth

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Categories: Dental Health, Family Dentistry, General Dentistry

restoration dentistry Provo

As the saying goes, there is more than one way to skin a cat. Likewise, there is more than one way to fix a tooth. If you are the lucky owner of a set of perfectly healthy teeth, you may never need any of these procedures. However, if you are like most Utah residents, you will probably need to restore a tooth eventually. At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, there are ways to improve virtually any dental irregularity.

A Porcelain Veneer
Porcelain veneers are wafer-thin covers that can hide a chip or crack or improve the appearance of a tooth that is slightly crooked.

A Filling, Inlay, or Onlay
This procedure has been used to restore teeth for over a century, though the materials and techniques have advanced. One fairly new option is white filling replacement for metal fillings. A traditional filling is shaped and molded after it is applied to the tooth. Because inlays and onlays are created in a dental lab, they are typically called indirect fillings. Inlays are applied to just the center of the biting surface of a tooth (not to a cusp or point) and are commonly smaller than onlays. An onlay restores one or more cusps of a tooth.

Dental Bonding
Bonding, formally called direct composite veneers, is used to fix chips, cracks, stains, and make teeth longer. It is also sometimes used to fill cavities. A skilled cosmetic dentist applies pliable composite resin and molds it to the exact shape needed. The resin is then hardenend with a special curing light.

A Dental Crown
A crown replaces the entire visible portion of the tooth, restoring appearance, stability, and function. Crowns are used for teeth that have had a root canal, teeth with acute decay, the replacement tooth in a dental bridge, and the visible portion of a dental implant. Crowns can be made of all metal (such as gold), porcelain-fused-to-metal, all ceramic, or all resin.

Dental Implants
Dental implants have been hailed as one of the greatest advancements in dentistry. Most recipients report implants are virtually indistinguishable from a natural tooth. An implant can also prohibit bone recession, which is common at an extraction site.

To find out more about these and other services available from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, call our office to schedule a consultation.

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 7140

Flossing: The Detail Work

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Categories: Dental Health, Family Dentistry

Whenever you’re in the Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry office in Provo, we make sure to remind you to brush and floss every day. In general, we say brush your teeth at least twice a day, and floss at least once. Too many patients heed that first bit of advice, but unfortunately ignore the second.

Flossing between your teeth is every bit as important to your dental health as brushing is, but it has a different role. Where brushing removes plaque from the surface of the teeth and along the gum line, flossing gets into the tight spaces between your teeth. It loosens the debris that always gets wedged in, and any plaque building up.

In short, it gets those places that your toothbrush can’t.

Should you floss before brushing, or after? The jury is out on that one. Some research suggests that flossing first can make brushing more effective. The idea is that after flossing, there is less gunk between your teeth. The fluoride in your toothpaste is able to get in there better.

Before or after – do whatever you prefer. Just don’t forget to floss!

We think of flossing as the detail work. Brushing gets most of the work done, but it takes floss to get into those tight places, and leave your mouth as clean as it can be.

That’s why, for the best of dental health, Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo urges you to brush AND floss. We provide a full range of dental services, 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

 

Missing Teeth? 5 Things You Need To Know About Dentures

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Categories: Dental Health, Dental Implants, Dentures

implant dentures Provo

If you are missing one or more of your teeth, you will be interested to know about dental implants from Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, which have been called the single greatest advancement in dentistry.

1. Dentures are not the only replacement option for missing teeth. Dental implants used alone or in combination with a partial denture is often a better option for patients. Whereas a removable appliance replaces only the visible parts of teeth, an implant replaces both the root and crown of a tooth. This has critical implications. Dental implants can prevent bone recession that typically occurs following tooth extractions. Dental implants can provide patients the near-normal ability to chew, speak, and laugh.

2. There is more than one variety of denture. Most people are familiar with the removable denture that replaces a complete upper or lower arch. There are also partial dentures that are used for patients who have some original teeth. Partial dentures can be permanent in the mouth or removable.

3. Even if you have worn dentures for a while, you may be an appropriate candidate for implant-anchored dentures. The vital factor is whether or not you have enough bone to support an implant. Bone grafting can augment bone in some patients.

4. Regardless of your tooth replacement configuration—full dentures, partial dentures, or tooth implants—you still need to practice correct oral hygiene. Removable appliances should be cleaned daily.

5. Even if you have no remaining teeth left, it’s vital that you have semiannual dental examination. Optimal oral health is a vital component of overall physical well-being. We will examine your mouth for indications of diseases like cancer, heart disease, kidney disease, and diabetes.

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, we provide dental implants, implant-supported dentures, porcelain veneers, and a full complement of dental services. 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 7395

Tooth Replacement For The 21st Century

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Categories: Dental Health, Dental Implants, Dentures

Utah County tooth implant supported dentures

Not everything was better back in the “good old days.” Take dentures, for instance. Dentures have been around for generations and have certainly improved the lives of thousands of Provo people who have lost many or all of their teeth.

But those old-school false teeth are not the ideal tooth replacement. Traditional dentures can impede many critical oral functions: chewing, tasting, swallowing, talking, and smiling.

You may know denture wearers who have stopped attending social activities because they are embarrassed by dentures that are far from inconspicuous. Some have even stopped eating their favorite foods because their dentures diminish their power to taste and/or chew.

There is great news for Provo residents with missing teeth: Dentures have evolved!

Implant-anchored or implant-supported dentures are far superior than conventional dentures for many patients. So much better, in fact, that there really should be another term for this revolutionary tooth replacement system – a term that doesn’t include the word “denture.” (If you can think of a good name, let us know.)

There are two types of implant anchored dentures; removable and permanent. No adhesive is necessary for either system. With the permanent type, screw retentions are anchored in the jaw to serve as attachment points for the denture. Permanent implant-supported dentures are very stable. Furthermore, they are usually less pricey than replacing each missing tooth with an implant. (The cost varies depending on the number of implants needed and other factors.)

Screw retentions require enough bone thickness to allow the implant to securely mesh with the existing bone. Unfortunately, some patients who have been missing teeth for a long period of time have experienced bone recession. For patients who lack the required amount of bone, mini-implants may be an alternative.

Removable implant anchored dentures have a locator attachment which allows the wearer to snap the appliance in place. Some patients prefer this type because they can remove them at night for cleaning. Countless Provo patients who have traded in their traditional dentures report that their implant anchored dentures have greatly improved their life.

The benefits of implant-supported dentures include:

  • Increased comfort
  • Natural appearance
  • Normal tooth function
  • Improved strength
  • Better bone retention
  • Denture relines not needed
  • Minimal gum irritation
  • No denture adhesive necessary

To find out more about dental implants and implant-supported dentures, call 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

 

ArticleID 6958

Cosmetic Dentistry: Art and Science

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Categories: Beautiful smile, Cosmetic Dentistry

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Provo, we create beautiful smiles with cosmetic dentistry.

It’s been said that cosmetic dentistry is part science and part art. That is a short-and-sweet definition for what we do. More to the point, though, is that we use sound dental techniques to bring positive changes to the smiles of our patients.

Smile enhancement through cosmetic dentistry can have positive changes on your life. The smallest improvement can boost your self-confidence. We have many techniques we can use, depending on the state of your smile: we can correct teeth that are discolored, chipped, mis-shapen, and even missing.

Traditional dentistry addrtesses the health of your teeth and gums, and that certainly has its place in what we do. Cosmetic dentistry aims to complement the overall general and dental health of each patient. We do more than recommend specific procedures. We consider the shape, alignment, color and condition of the teeth, and the facial shape and coloring of each patient. There is no one-size-fits-all treatment. (If only!)

Your teeth take a lot of wear and tear over the years. But cosmetic dentistry from Hammond Aesthetic and General Dentistry can restore your smile to its youthful appearance. Possibilities include porcelain veneers and Invisalign clear braces. Call us today to schedule a consultation.

Contact Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

801-374-0070

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

3575 N 100 E Ste 200
Provo, Utah
84604