Invisalign Treatment

Whether you’ve had traditional braces once before, or you’re new to orthodontic treatment, Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS can recommend Invisalign. Invisalign is ideal for adults and teenagers who wish to have a straighter smile, but don’t want to deal with wires and brackets that come with traditional braces. Invisalign provides a better fit, more comfort, and is effective for a wide variety of malocclusion cases.  

Before beginning Invisalign treatment, Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS will develop a custom and precise treatment plan for you. Once your aligners are created, they will need to be worn for a minimum of 20-22 hours a day for optimal results. As you wear each set of aligners, the teeth will gradually shift into place. The duration of treatment will depend on the individual case, but the biggest advantage of Invisalign is that you are able to remove your aligners to brush, floss, and eat.

If you have questions or concerns about orthodontic treatment, 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. 

Braces and Holiday Foods

We hope all our patients at Dr. Dennis Morehart’s Enid dental office enjoy the holiday season. This time of year can be challenging for people wearing braces, which is why we want to help guide them toward safe holiday foods they can enjoy comfortably.

There are two issues to keep in mind: which foods could damage the orthodontic wires, and which foods are safe but have high sugar contents and needs to be cleaned off the teeth quickly. With appetizer platters, it’s best to stay away from hard vegetables as well as dried fruit, but olives, cheese cubes, and pepper slices are safe. Vegetables are generally safe when boiled or baked, and people with braces may be particularly grateful for seasonal treats such as potato pancakes and winter squash.

Main courses such as brisket, turkey, and ham can be made tender enough to not present an issue, but deserts such as pies leave sugary food debris caught in brackets and orthodontic wires. It’s important for people leaving home for feasts and parties to remember to bring their Christmas tree toothbrushes and floss threaders. Also keep in mind that alcoholic drinks and eggnog have high sugar contents and that champagne is acidic, making it wise to drink water while consuming them and to brush teeth soon afterward.

Dr. Dennis Morehart, Master of the Academy of General Dentistry, operates Enid Dental Care at 2411 Heritage Trail, Ste #4, Enid, Oklahoma, 73703. To schedule an appointment, call 580-237-2213 or visit Enid Dental Care and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Diabetes and Orthodontics

Enid’s Dr. Dennis Morehart has kept up with the latest research during his long career as a dentist, earning him the Master in the Academy of General Dentistry distinction and making him proficient in orthodontic therapy. Among the many developments in dentistry during that time is better care for diabetic patients, including those needing orthodontic correction.

Anybody could develop misaligned teeth. People with diabetes are just at higher risk of developing gum disease, which in its most advanced form can erode jaw bone tissue, allowing tooth migration. At the same time, they are more in need of straight teeth, which are easier to clean and therefore less at risk. The problem in the past was determining whether a person with uncontrolled diabetes could manage the increased hygienic challenges of braces. If someone with braces develops periodontal disease, the braces may have to be removed. But with Invisalign, diabetic patients can brush and floss as normal. The system of invisible aligners also puts less pressure on the teeth, making correction an easier process for people who are prone to inflammation. People with diabetes may also be good candidates for normal braces if their blood sugar is controlled. During monthly tightenings, we can ensure that their teeth are still fit to continue correction.

Dr. Dennis Morehart, Master of the Academy of General Dentistry, operates Enid Dental Care at 2411 Heritage Trail, Ste #4, Enid, Oklahoma, 73703. To schedule an appointment, call 580-237-2213 or visit EnidDentalCare.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Scaling and Root Planing for Gum Disease

The three stages of gum disease – from least to most severe – are gingivitis, periodontitis, and advanced periodontitis. Gum disease is an inflammation of the gum tissue that could affect the teeth and supporting bone in your mouth. If you think the metal scaling tool we use on you during a professional cleaning is scary, Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS doubts you want to get to the point where you’ll need scaling and root planing.

Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS will start the procedure with a thorough examination of your mouth. Next, an ultrasonic scaling device will be used to eliminate the plaque bacteria with sonic vibrations. Root planing involves detailed scaling of the root surface to decrease inflammation of the gum tissue. If your gum tissue is sensitive and diseased, local anesthesia will be administered to numb the tissue. Dental scaling and root planing may take two to four visits based upon the level of oral disease in the mouth.

If you have questions or concerns regarding periodontal disease or scaling and root planing, 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.