dental bridge

Keep Your Teeth Safe, Provo

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Categories: Dental Health

Avoid Missing Teeth - Stay Safe During Orem Sports

Hopefully you are one of many health-conscious Orem area residents who is finding ways to get outside or to the gym and get moving. There has been an explosion in the variety of activities offered by personal trainers, all-purpose gyms, specialty facilities, and Utah County recreation departments in recent years. With all these exciting ways to exercise becoming commonplace, people in the Provo, Orem, and Utah County areas may not be aware of the tooth risks associated with them.

We’re Dr. Hammond, concerned Provo dentists and fitness enthusiasts, and we want to talk to you today about mouth protectors.

You might think that mouth protectors are only for ultimate fighters and football players, but actually mouth guards can and should be used during any activity where a blow to the face is possible.

This includes many common sports such as pick-up basketball games, volleyball, gymnastics, and bicycling. When you have a properly fitted mouth protector, you can prevent broken or lost teeth as well as lip, tongue, and jaw injuries.

Mouth protectors come in three main types: stock, boil and bite, and custom-fitted. The stock mouth protectors are pre-formed and ready to wear. Unfortunately, they rarely fit well. You can find boil and bite mouth protectors at sporting goods stores in the Orem area. They are to be softened in water and then formed to your mouth (make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions). Custom-fitted mouth protectors can be made by your Provo general dentistry professional to make sure you have a perfect fit.

The soft tissues that line your cheeks and lips are especially susceptible to injury when you have braces or fixed dental bridge work, not to mention the damage that can be caused to the orthodontic appliances themselves. For these reasons, a mouth protector is extremely important for Orem patients undergoing these treatments. Your Provo orthodontist may even suggest a mouth protector for your lower teeth as well.

If you have questions about sports dentistry, cosmetic dentistry or any other dental issues, please contact our office and schedule an appointment. We look forward to meeting you.

Dr. Hammond
Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry
3575 N 100 E, Ste 200
Provo Utah
801-374-0070
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New Protein For Utah County Dental Implant Patients

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Categories: Dental Implants

New Protein For Utah County Dental Implants Patients Hundreds of Utah County dental implant recipients have replaced missing teeth with jaw-bone anchored tooth implants. Unlike a dental bridge, a tooth implant consists of a titanium post inserted into the jaw bone. The bone meshes with the post to create a strong base for the natural-looking prosthetic tooth and crown that attaches to the post.

Dental implants are usually the ideal restoration for Utah County people who want to replace a missing tooth. There is a problem, however, if the jaw bone is too thin at the implant site.

When a tooth is extracted, the bone loses the blood circulation at the former site of the root. Consequently, bone recession often occurs. If the recession is extensive, there is not enough bone to hold the dental implant post.

Bone grafting can augment the bone at the implant site and provide the bone density necessary for a successful implant. This is usually effective, but it does require time for the new bone to generate. A new discovery may provide a quicker solution for regenerating bone.

Researchers at the Georgia Health Sciences University College of Dental Medicine have identified a protein that quickly stimulates the production of new bone. The research team, led by Dr. Ulf M.E. Wikesjo, implanted bone morphogenetic protein in test subjects and discovered that “more new bone formed within four weeks than with conventional bone grafting.”

This protein will require extensive testing before it is available for Utah County dental implant patients. However, I am pleased at the prospect of an additional method for making dental implants possible for my Utah County clients with missing teeth and jaw bone recession.

For information about tooth restoration options including tooth implants, dental bridges, and porcelain crowns, call Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry at 801-374-0070.

Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry

Common Myths about Orem Cosmetic Dentistry

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Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry

Common Myths about Orem Cosmetic Dentistry Myth #1: Cosmetic Dentistry is Never Necessary for a Healthy Smile

Many so-called cosmetic dental procedures are not solely cosmetic. Orem dental procedures such as tooth replacement are smile-enhancing and, more importantly, prevent many potential problems such as tooth movement, bone loss and difficulty chewing and speaking.

Myth #2: A Dental Bridge is the Only Way to Replace a Missing Tooth

Dental bridges are an Orem dental cosmetic procedure that have been used for many years with success. However, dental implants are often a better choice for replacing one or more missing teeth. Dental implants have many advantages for Utah County area dental patients. They feel like natural teeth, they are stronger, and they are easier to clean than dental bridges. Tooth implants can also be used to anchor dentures or partial dentures.

Myth #3: At-Home Kits are as Effective for Tooth Whitening  As a Professional Dental Solution

At Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry, we offer our Orem dental patients teeth whitening treatments that provide a much greater level of whiteness than at-home kits. At-home kits may remove surface stains, but they do not provide optimum results and can often lead to uneven coloring.

Myth #4: Dental Bonding is the Best Way to Fix a Chipped Tooth.

Dental bonding can restore the shape of a tooth, but may not be the best long-term solution. If you have a damaged tooth, you may be a good candidate for porcelain veneers. Call us at 801-374-0070 to set up an appointment so we can determine the best solution for you.

Myth #5: Braces are the Only Way to Straighten Teeth

Braces are often part of a transforming dental makeover for our Orem teens and adults alike. However, if your teeth are only slightly crooked, lumineers can reshape your teeth and dramatically improve your smile. And the best thing about veneers? They offer instant results!

Dr. Hammond 
Hammond Aesthetic & General Dentistry
3575 N 100 E, Ste 200
Provo Utah 84604
https://www.cosmeticdentistryutahcounty.com
801-374-0070