Convenient Access from Downtown Provo
If your workday centers on Center Street, the county offices or a FrontRunner commute, Matthews Smiles Dental is a 9-minute drive up a single road. People who want a dentist near Downtown Provo can leave the office at lunch or right after work and reach our north Provo location without a single freeway merge. Two experienced doctors, a family-owned practice and a full menu of cosmetic, restorative and preventive care wait at the other end.
Begin at the Historic Utah County Courthouse at 51 S University Ave. Head east on 100 South for a block, turn north onto University Avenue (US 189) and stay on it for roughly three and a half miles, past Academy Square, the Provo City Library and the west edge of campus. At 3700 North, turn east to reach 3610 N University Ave #200, Provo, UT 84604, about 3.8 miles from where you started. Get directions to our office on Google Maps, and if you live a little north of the core, our pages for Joaquin and BYU cover those neighborhoods too.
Fitting Dental Care Into a Downtown Provo Workday
Downtown Provo is where much of the city's business happens. As the seat of county government, it draws attorneys, clerks and visitors to the courthouse blocks, while the restaurants and storefronts of Center Street keep a steady crowd of employees on the move. For many of those workers, the hardest part of seeing a dentist is simply finding an hour.
Our doors open at 8 AM Monday through Friday, closing at 5 PM Monday through Thursday and at 4 PM on Friday. A first-thing appointment lets you get in, get treated and drive back down University Avenue with time to spare before a 10 o'clock meeting. Rush hour can add some time to the trip in either direction, so morning slots are usually the smoothest choice.
The office itself is designed to feel like a break from the workday. Hot towels and essential oil diffusers are among the small comforts our team offers, and the practice has been family owned and operated for more than 45 years.
Old Storefronts, New Commutes: Life Around Center Street
Much of the character of Downtown Provo comes from its history. Settlement here dates to 1849, the business district took shape from the late 1860s, and wealth from the Tintic Mining District in the 1890s financed many of the brick and stone buildings that still line Center Street. The Provo Downtown Historic District covers four of those blocks today.
Those same blocks now mix offices, apartments, restaurants and the Covey Center for the Arts, whose 670-seat main hall hosts live performances. Downtown Provo also sits close to I-15 on the west side of the city, with Utah Lake beyond it and Y Mountain rising to the east. Whether you live above a storefront or commute in from Springville, University Avenue is the thread that ties the area to our office.
A Few Things Downtown Provo Commuters Should Keep in Mind
Provo Central Station, on Freedom Boulevard within walking distance of Downtown Provo, brings FrontRunner commuter rail and UVX bus rapid transit together in one hub. Riders who travel through it each day often put dental visits off because the schedule already feels tight. Cleanings every six months matter more than ever for people with long days, because coffee, quick lunches and stress-related clenching all leave their mark.
Downtown residents have their own reasons to plan ahead. Citywide, roughly six in ten Provo homes are rented, and people who move between apartments every year or two often lose track of when their last cleaning happened. Keeping one dental office through each move keeps your records, x-rays and reminders in the same place.
Professional appearance is another common concern downtown. Lawyers in court, servers on Center Street and anyone meeting clients face to face may care about stained, chipped or crooked teeth more than most. Cosmetic treatment and clear braces can address those concerns gradually, without a noticeable mouthful of metal.
Snoring and poor sleep also deserve a mention. Long workdays combined with restless nights can point to sleep apnea, and a routine dental exam can reveal related signs such as worn teeth. Bringing it up at your next checkup is an easy first step toward better rest.
Care From a Dentist Near Downtown Provo
Cosmetic Dentistry
For professionals who meet the public every day, cosmetic care can brighten discolored teeth and reshape chipped or uneven edges. Dr. Matthews has focused on cosmetic dentistry since 1994.
Sleep Apnea Treatment
Restless nights make long downtown shifts harder. We discuss symptoms, review your sleep concerns and talk through dental treatment options that may help you breathe and rest more easily.
Clear Braces
Tooth-colored ceramic brackets and wires straighten teeth on the same principles as metal braces while staying far less visible at the office, in court or behind a counter.
Dental Implants
A missing tooth can affect chewing, speech and confidence. Implants replace both the root and the visible tooth, giving longtime residents of the historic core a stable place to chew again.
Preventative Dentistry
Regular exams and cleanings keep busy commuters ahead of decay and gum problems. An early appointment fits neatly before a shift that starts at 9 or 10.
Nervous patients from Downtown Provo have options too. Sedation is available for any procedure the office performs, so a long-postponed filling or crown can be completed in a calmer state. Mentioning any anxiety when you call helps the team plan the visit with that in mind.
Meet Your Provo Dentists
Dr. Blake Matthews is a graduate of the Pacific Aesthetic Continuum and a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Dr. JD Ashman grew up locally and attended Timpanogos High School before dental school, so he knows the valley well. Together they share a practice that treats patients from Springville to Orem.
Insurance & Financing
Before any treatment begins, you receive a detailed cost breakdown, and we file the insurance claim with your provider. We work with a multitude of insurers, and our financial options include CareCredit and Cherry financing. Uninsured patients can join the In-House Membership Plan, which takes 20% off restorative services.
What Our Patients Say
Our patients are some of our biggest advocates, and we could not be more grateful for their kind words and support. Hereโs what some of them have to say about their experiences at our dental office:
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Matthews Smiles Dental from Downtown Provo, and how do I get there?
The office is about 3.8 miles from the historic courthouse on University Avenue, typically a 9-minute drive. You take 100 South east for a block, then University Avenue north the rest of the way to 3700 North. Few routes are simpler for someone who wants a dentist near Downtown Provo and prefers to skip I-15 entirely.
Can I ride FrontRunner and still make an early appointment?
Yes, with a little planning. Provo Central Station connects FrontRunner and UVX, and the office opens at 8 AM on weekdays. The office sits several miles north of the station, so plan on a car or a ride for the final stretch up University Avenue. An early slot lets you finish and still reach work at a normal hour.
When was the historic county courthouse downtown completed?
The current courthouse building was completed in 1926. Its neoclassical facade uses granite and oolite stone, and the building is open to visitors on weekdays, with rotating art displays inside. It also makes a handy starting point, because University Avenue runs directly in front of it toward our office.
Do you offer cosmetic options for people who work with the public in Downtown Provo?
Yes. Cosmetic dentistry has been a focus for Dr. Blake Matthews since 1994, and he trained through the Pacific Aesthetic Continuum. Options range from brightening and reshaping teeth to clear braces for alignment. A consultation helps match the treatment to your goals, timeline and budget before any work begins.
Is the Center Street historic district close to the route north?
Yes. The historic district along Center Street, listed on the National Register in 1980, also includes part of University Avenue. Most of its buildings date from 1880 to 1930. From Center Street you reach University Avenue in moments, and from there the drive north needs no other turns until 3700 North.
Schedule Your Visit from Downtown Provo
Getting a dentist near Downtown Provo onto your calendar takes one phone call to 385-481-7562. Our areas we serve hub lists every nearby community we welcome, and the Dentist Provo, UT homepage introduces our office, doctors and new-patient offers.