Invisalign vs Braces

When it comes to orthodontic options, Invisalign has several clear advantages over braces. Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS of Enid, OK offers Invisalign here in our office. Keep reading to learn why patients love Invisalign over traditional metal braces.

Invisalign is a teeth aligning system made of a series of clear, smooth, BPA-free plastic trays. The trays are completely customized to fit your teeth. Using a computer system, each tray will be created with minor adjustments so your teeth gradually shift into place.

The length of each patient’s treatment will vary depending on the complexity of their case. The trays are switched out every two weeks and you will visit with us every four to five weeks to pick up your new trays and to make sure the process is going as planned. The Invisalign trays are to be worn for twenty to twenty-two hours per day. You take them out to eat, brush, and floss, unlike with braces.

This also means that there are no restrictions on what you can eat with Invisalign, so you do not have to avoid crunchy, hard, sticky, or chewy foods. Since you can brush and floss normally, there are no special supplies you need to purchase like interdental cleaners or floss threaders.

The smooth plastic is also more comfortable than metal braces, so it is easier on the gums and cheeks. The biggest reason patients like Invisalign over braces is the appearance. No more metallic smile; Invisalign is nearly invisible. Plus, you can take them out for important moments like graduation photos or family photos.

Straightening your teeth leads to great oral health and a boost in confidence. To learn more about Invisalign, schedule an appointment with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS of Enid, OK. Call us at (580) 237-2213 or visit our website, www.eniddentalcare.com. 

General Dentistry Defined

General dentists such as Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS are the primary dental care providers for patients of all ages. They can treat you and your entire family and care for your overall health. Dentistry is defined as the evaluation, diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment (nonsurgical or related procedures) of diseases, disorders and/or conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and/or the adjacent and associated structures and their impact on the human body. When looking for exceptional and quality general dentistry services, look no further than our dental practice.

Instead of specializing in just one area of dentistry, Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS provides plenty of different services for you and your entire family, such as cosmetic procedures, crowns and bridges, dental implants, dentures, gum disease treatment, home care instruction, root canal therapy, teeth cleanings and much more. Additionally, he stays updated on the latest advances in technology to guarantee that you receive the most exceptional quality of dental care.

If you are searching for a general dentist, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.eniddentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in Enid, OK, call 580-237-2213.

Foods You Shouldn’t Eat with TMJ/TMD

Your temporomandibular joint is a hinge that connects your jaw to the temporal bones of your skull, which are in front of each ear. Problems with your jaw in the muscles of your face that control it are known as temporomandibular disorders. TMJ disorders can affect your jaws range of motion while talking, chewing, and yawning. If you’ve been diagnosed with a TMJ disorder, Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS recommends adjusting your diet to avoid certain foods that might worsen the condition.

Crunchy foods, including popcorn, chips, and other salty snack foods may be too difficult for your jaw to chew when you have TMJ. Hard vegetables like carrots and celery can also cause pain in the jaw because of the intensity with which you need to bite down on them. Other types of food to avoid include chewy snacks, fatty foods, and foods that are cut into large pieces. To summarize, any type of food that allows you to open your mouth wide or chew for long periods of time may aggravate your TMJ. As we previously mentioned, we recommend incorporating more soft foods into your diet, such as cooked veggies, soft bread, and yogurt.

If you have TMJ disorder and would like to discuss your treatment options, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.eniddentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in Enid, OK, call 580-237-2213.

What is an Overbite?

If you have been diagnosed with an overbite, this simply means that your top teeth extend beyond your bottom teeth. It is a common dental problem that Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS can correct with braces. Overbite teeth are considered a type of “bad bite.” It can either be noticeable or unnoticeable, but it some extreme cases it can make your jaw look significantly larger or your bottom jaw look much smaller.

Most often, overbites are inherited as traits just as the color of your eyes or the freckles on your cheeks. Other causes of misaligned bites may result from an early loss of baby or adult teeth, gum disease, or common oral health problems in children, such as thumb sucking. Once Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS confirms your overbite with X-rays, he may take regular photographs of your face to further examine the relationship between the teeth, jaws, and head. From there, an individualized treatment plan will be developed to correct the bite.

If you are concerned about an overbite and would like to discuss orthodontic options, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.eniddentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in Enid, OK, call 580-237-2213.

Brush Your Braces!

If you have braces, your oral hygiene routine should be accelerating into overdrive. The reason for this is that braces have tiny spaces where food particles and plaque get trapped, and inadequate cleaning while wearing these wires can cause enamel staining and tooth decay around brackets or bands. At the dental practice of Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS, he and our staff can’t stand behind you to monitor how you often you brush, but we can recommend the following routine to help make daily brushing and flossing with braces both simple and effective. 

• Prepare to brush – take off elastics, and any other removable parts of your orthodontic appliance.

• Clean your braces – use your brush at a 45-degree angle to clean around the wires and pins of your braces. Brush from the top of each wire and then from the bottom. Take time to ensure that all plaque and debris are removed.

• Brush your teeth – clean each tooth individually. First, place your brush at a 45-degree angle to the junction between the tooth and the gum, and then apply gentle pressure as you move in a circular motion. Use the same brushing action on all outer and inner tooth surfaces, tilting the brush as needed to better reach the insides of smaller front teeth.

Last but not least, don’t forget to floss in between brackets! 

If you have questions about your orthodontic oral care, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.eniddentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in Enid, OK, call 580-237-2213.

If you have braces, your oral hygiene routine should be accelerating into overdrive. The reason for this is that braces have tiny spaces where food particles and plaque get trapped, and inadequate cleaning while wearing these wires can cause enamel staining and tooth decay around brackets or bands. At the dental practice of Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS, he and our staff can’t stand behind you to monitor how you often you brush, but we can recommend the following routine to help make daily brushing and flossing with braces both simple and effective.

•  Prepare to brush – take off elastics, and any other removable parts of your orthodontic appliance.


• Clean your braces – use your brush at a 45-degree angle to clean around the wires and pins of your braces. Brush the top of each wire and then from the bottom. Take time to ensure that all plaque and debris are removed.


• Brush your teeth – clean each tooth individually. First, place your brush at a 45-degree angle to the junction between the tooth and the gum, and then apply gentle pressure as you move in a circular motion. Use the same brushing action on all outer and inner tooth surfaces, tilting the brush as needed to better reach the insides of smaller front teeth.

 

 

 

Last but not least, don’t forget to floss in between brackets!

If you have questions about your orthodontic oral care, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.eniddentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in Enid, OK, call 580-237-2213.