The most difficult part of attaining perfection is finding something to do for an encore. -Author Unknown

We are perfectionists at Greg Pitts DDS where we create perfect smiles for our Pleasant Grove cosmetic dental and Highland smile makeover patients.

Here are some of the cosmetic dental procedures we use in smile makeovers at Greg Pitts DDS in American Fork.

Implant Dentistry
Dental implants are the ultimate tooth restoration available in Provo/Orem, Utah or anywhere else, for that matter. A tooth implant consists of a metal post that is inserted into your jawbone. The post replaces the root of the missing tooth.

After a few months, it meshes with your jawbone to provide the strength and integrity of a natural tooth. A base and natural-looking crown is permanently attached to the post. For most Provo/Orem patients with missing teeth, it is the preferred restoration. Implants can also be used to attach dentures and partial dentures for no-slip implant/denture combos.

Crowns
A mainstay of American Fork cosmetic dentistry, dental crowns are more beautiful than ever. New fabrication technologies and materials have improved the aesthetics and strength of this restorative option.

Veneers
A veneer is a more conservative treatment than a full crown. This is a good choice for Pleasant Grove patients whose teeth are structurally sound but have unsightly flaws such as discoloration, chips, cracks, or imperfect shape. Are you one of the many American Fork teens or Highland adults with dark tetracycline stains? Call us today at 801-763-9000 to say goodbye to tetracycline stains!

Inlays/Onlays
Inlays and onlays (indirect fillings) are designed and fabricated using dental CAD/CAM software. These fillings are strong, attractive, and precisely fitted to the cavity.

Tooth Whitening
Teeth bleaching is the crowning touch for a perfect smile. (It’s the only thing you need if you are a fortunate Provo/Orem man or woman with perfectly-shaped and aligned teeth.) No one in Alpine or Highland has to live with dull or stained teeth. Call us today for a teeth whitening consultation at our American Fork office.

Composite Veneers
The application of porcelain veneers at Greg Pitts DDS can remedy a multitude of aesthetic dental problems and is often a better cosmetic dental solution for candidates in the Pleasant Grove area than dental bonding. Veneers can correct tooth chips, tooth cracks, minor tooth misalignment, tooth discoloration, unattractive tooth shape, and disproportionate tooth size. Can a porcelain veneer create a perfect tooth? While a veneer cannot fix a decayed tooth, it can turn an unsightly tooth into an aesthetically perfect tooth.

Tooth Bleaching
Provo/Orem tooth whitening is a non-invasive cosmetic dental treatment that dramatically improves a smile. However, some Highland tooth whitening dentists will guarantee fantastic results for any patient that desires a whiter smile. At Greg Pitts DDS in American Fork we only recommend tooth bleaching for clients that are good candidates for the process. If you have all-natural teeth that are dull or stained, tooth whitening will brighten your smile. If you have several crowns in the front of your mouth, or gums that have receded, conventional tooth-whitening may not improve your smile.

Call 801-763-9000 to schedule a tooth-whitening consultation.

Tooth-Colored Fillings
If you have a mouth full of metal fillings, you may be interested in tooth-colored fillings. To get an idea of how the inside of your mouth would look without metal, have someone without any fillings open their mouth. Do you remember when your mouth looked like that? Would you like to bring your smile back to its pre-filling appearance? It is possible with tooth-colored fillings at Greg Pitts DDS.

These are just a few of the cosmetic dental solutions that create perfect smiles for our Provo/Orem clients. You can see a complete list of our services at http://gregpittsdds.com/

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Your smile is a part of you that you share with your American Fork family, Highland friends, and Pleasant Grove colleagues every day. An attractive smile creates confidence. If you are embarrassed by your smile, you waste mental and physical energy trying to hide it.

How would your life improve if you felt comfortable in every social and professional situation? If you have been trying to hide your smile for years, what incorrect assumptions have others made about you? Do you come across as self-conscious or distant because you hardly laugh at jokes and barely crack a smile when you meet someone for the first time?

Investing in a Highland cosmetic smile redesign is the best way to feel younger, more attractive, and able to share your true self. When you quit trying to hide your teeth, you are free to put all your energy into your work, play–everything!

At Greg Pitts DDS in American Fork, Dentist Greg Pitts carefully contours perfect smiles for our Highland smile design patients.

We also make sure our Highland smile makeover clients are completely relaxed during treatment. If you are afraid of dentists, or have had negative experiences in the past, rest assured that we understand how you feel and our caring dental team will do our best to alleviate your concerns.

Come in for a Highland aesthetic dental consultation. Learn about Pleasant Grove dental implants, porcelain crowns, Alpine invisible braces, veneers and sleep dentistry.

Life is better when you love your smile. Call Greg Pitts DDS in American Fork today!

Greg Pitts DDS
9 N. 1100 E.
American Fork, Utah 84003
801-763-9000

changing lives one smile at a time

The protective enamel that covers the softer interior is made of minerals. Enamel demineralizes (loses some of its density) when coming in contact with acids. Saliva can dilute and neutralize acid so the tooth can remineralize (re-harden). This process isn’t instantaneous, however. While the enamel is soft, the tooth is vulnerable to losing a microscopic outer layer of enamel. If the erosion continues, the much softer dentin is exposed. Eventually, the tooth may need to be extracted.

At Greg Pitts DDS, we are noticing an increase in cases of serious acid erosion. It is apparent that the typical Provo/Orem diet is becoming more acidic.

The list of acidic foods may surprise you. They include eggs, gravy, asparagus, chicken, cottage cheese, honey, fish, ham, butter, sour cream, aged cheese, and yogurt with active cultures. Generally, food with a high sugar or artificial sweetener content are highly acidic.

Now let’s talk about drinks. You probably already know that soda pop and wine are not good for your teeth. Provo/Orem teens that sip soda all day can have acid erosion while their young teeth should be at their strongest. In addition to soda, energy drinks are very popular in Utah and Provo/Orem cosmetic dentists are noticing the effects on their dental patients’ tooth enamel.

If you drink soda or energy drinks often, you may want to drink water or chew sugarless gum after downing a can. Stimulating saliva production can speed up the remineralization process.

If your teeth have become more sensitive in general, or in response to hot or cold foods or beverages, you may have acid erosion. To schedule an examination with Greg Pitts at Greg Pitts DDS, call 801-763-9000 today.

We are a full-service dental office with hundreds of satisfied clients in American Fork, Pleasant Grove and Highland We are located at 9 N. 1100 E. in American Fork. We are working to raise awareness of the oral health dangers of acid erosion. We hope you have benefited from this Greg Pitts DDS blog article and look forward to your visit.

Here at Greg Pitts DDS, we want your teeth to last a lifetime! Tooth enamel is one of the hardest parts of the body, but it is non-renewable so it is important not to not neglect or abuse our teeth. Daily teeth and gum care is the best way to protect tooth enamel.

Even though every Provo/Orem drug store carries hard bristle brushes, we recommend brushing with a soft brush after every meal to gently brush away acid. Scrub too hard, and you can erode enamel. It is ideal to brush immediately after eating, but brushing within 60 minutes of a meal has benefits. The quicker you remove food from your teeth, the better it is for your enamel.

Flossing regularly is also important to keep gums healthy. Whether the food is on tooth surfaces, or hidden in between, it is not doing your enamel any good.

Greg Pitts recommends a checkup and thorough cleaning every six months. Our skilled hygienists remove tartar, a substance that attracts plaque to the surface of the teeth and can weaken the teeth’s structures. Regular checkups prevent problems and save you money on expensive restorations down the road.

Remember: don’t use your teeth for opening packages! Keep scissors and bottle openers handy. At Greg Pitts DDS, we see damaged teeth and dental work as a result of patients using their teeth as tools. Biting down on something too hard, like ice or hard candy can also damage enamel.

Attention Pleasant Grove, American Fork, and Alpine athletes: be sure to use a mouthguard for team, contact, and recreational sports.

Teeth grinding is also a common dental threat. Be careful not to grind teeth, this can not only wear away enamel but also pave ways for cavities to get in. If you grind your teeth while you are sleeping, make an appointment to be fitted for a night guard. Your enamel will thank you.

Lastly, remember: drink water. Coffee, sports drinks, soda, wine, and tea all contain a lot of acid or sugar, and in some cases both. Cut back, or at least use a straw. These drinks cause a lot of tooth decay for non-water drinkers in the Provo/Orem.

We hope you find these Greg Pitts DDS tips helpful. For more information on dental care, or to schedule an appointment, contact our American Fork family dentist office today at 801-763-9000!

Greg Pitts
Greg Pitts DDS 801-763-9000
http://gregpittsdds.com/

Myth #1: With Alpine Sedation Dentistry, You Are Completely Unconscious

Some nervous American Fork dental patients are not only afraid of receiving treatment; they also fear the thought of not being in control. At Greg Pitts DDS, we offer different levels of sedation, but none of the sedation options put you completely to sleep. With oral sedation you are relaxed but not totally knocked out. When we need to ask a Alpine dental sedation patient a question during the treatment, the patient is able to hear, understand, and respond.

Myth #2: Highland Dental Sedation Should Only Be Used For Extensive Dental Treatment

Provo/Orem anxiety-free dentistry is completely safe. Many nervous Alpine sedation dentistry clients request sedation for routine exams and procedures.

Myth #3: Most Utah Dental Insurance Companies Do Not Cover Provo/Orem Sleep Dentistry

Some American Fork dental insurers do cover sedation. Check with your insurer for details about your Utah dental insurance benefits.

Myth #4: American Fork Sleep Dentistry Is Still Experimental

Provo/Orem cosmetic dentists have been safely providing sedation for many years. Greg Pitts DDS meets all the requirements advised by the American Dental Association. Millions of Americans and thousands of Utah dental patients have safely received sedation for dental treatment.

For more information about anxiety-free dentistry, contact Greg Pitts DDS at htttp://gregpittsdds.com/about/ or 801-763-9000 today to schedule a sedation consultation.

1) American Fork diabetes patients with high blood glucose often have a higher risk of dental issues. If you have diabetes, let’s talk. My number is 801-763-9000.

2) A persistent dry mouth due to an inadequate amount of saliva can accelerate tooth decay, cause or contribute to gum disease, and trigger chronic bad breath. Many medications used by thousands of Pleasant Grove and Highland folks, including those for high-blood pressure and depression, cause dry mouth. This side effect is not only unpleasant, it is dangerous. Anti-depressants (especially SSRI’s) and anti-psychotic drugs can also trigger tooth-grinding (bruxism).

3) Acid reflux in children and adults is associated with a host of dental problems such as decay and periodontal disease.

I help many Alpine dental patients prevent problems associated with medical conditions that sometimes seem unrelated to dental health. Regular professional dental care is essential for oral health, and an important part of your overall physical health.

http://gregpittsdds.com/

The quickest and least invasive procedure is light teeth whitening. The results are dramatic and teeth whitening side effects are minimal.

If your teeth are slightly crooked, but require no orthodontic work, porcelain veneers could be the answer. Porcelain teeth veneers are translucent, wafer-thin covers that are permanently attached to the front of teeth, correcting chips and stains. Prepless veneers do not require the removal of tooth structure.

If your teeth are more than slightly crooked, it’s not too late for braces. Patients of all ages are undergoing orthodontic treatment and achieving fantastic results. The newest braces are less noticeable, more comfortable and bring teeth into alignment much faster than old-school metal braces.

Has gum recession caused the metal base of an old crown to be visible? Soft tissue grafts and crown replacement can correct this problem.

Are you missing one or more teeth? One of the best tooth replacement options is a dental implant. A dental implant consists of a titanium post surgically inserted into the jaw bone to replace the root of the missing tooth. The post integrates with the bone to provide a stable foundation for the replacement tooth.

Can you envision yourself with a dental makeover?
Call Greg Pitts DDS at 801-763-9000 to discuss your cosmetic dentistry options.

Greg Pitts, DDS
http://gregpittsdds.com/

Tooth replacement has been a highly requested procedure at my American Fork dental practice. Patients from the Highland area and Alpine area have expressed concern about tooth replacement for many years. Most of my questions in the Provo/Orem area have to do with the strength of the tooth replacement, and durability.

Dental implants are also popular concern for my Provo/Orem tooth replacement patients. A dental implant consists of a titanium post surgically inserted into the jaw bone to replace the root of the missing tooth. The post integrates with the bone to provide a stable foundation for the replacement tooth.

After it has bonded with the bone (it usually takes three to six months), a smaller post is attached. This post extends above the gum line. The artificial tooth (crown) is then attached. The entire process takes several months, but consistently yields terrific results for American Fork tooth restoration patients. My Utah cosmetic dentistry patients appreciate the fact that I stay up to date on the latest advancements in tooth replacement procedures.

Both Utah smile restoration options preserve or restore facial contour and allow you to talk and eat normally. Tooth replacements prevent adjoining teeth from gradually shifting and can help correct bite problems, too. Tooth implants and dental bridges can replace one or more missing teeth. Many Provo/Orem area dental patients have been treated successfully with these tooth restoration alternatives.

Call Greg Pitts DDS and ask for Greg Pitts to schedule an evaluation for Utah tooth restoration. You can schedule your tooth restoration by calling us at 801-763-9000.

Hopefully you are one of many health-conscious American Fork 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 American Fork gyms, specialty facilities, and Utah recreation departments in recent years. With all these exciting ways to exercise becoming commonplace, people in the Pleasant Grove, Highland, and Alpine areas may not be aware of the tooth risks associated with them.

I’m Dentist Greg Pitts, a concerned American Fork dentist and fitness enthusiast, and I 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 Provo/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 American Fork dentist 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 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 Provo/Orem patients undergoing these treatments. Your American Fork orthodontist may even suggest a mouth protector for your lower teeth as well.

If you have questions about sports dentistry in American Fork or any other dental issues, please contact my office and schedule an appointment. I look forward to meeting you.

Greg Pitts
Greg Pitts DDS
9 N. 1100 E.
American Fork Utah
801-763-9000    htttp://gregpittsdds.com/about/