Osteonecrosis of the Jaw

Patients at Dr. Dennis Morehart’s practice benefit from the experience and expertise of a Master in the Academy of General Dentistry. That means that Dr. Morehart is knowledgeable about oral surgery and the complications that can arise. To set patients’ minds at ease, we want to explain more about something they may have heard of: osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ).

The death of exposed jaw bone tissue is extremely rare but there is a small chance of it happening in people who are on bisphosphonate medications. These medications are used to prevent bone resorption. They are often taken in pill form for osteoporosis and through an IV to counteract the side effects of chemotherapy on people with cancer.  Cases of ONJ typically result from the much stronger IV doses.

In the absence of extreme periodontal disease or other infection, the only way jaw bone tissue would be exposed is as the result of a tooth extraction. For this reason, it is wise for patients to get dental work done before starting cancer treatments and to make sure all their medical care providers are fully informed of what the others are doing. But if ONJ does set in, it can be treated with antibiotic rinses.

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.

 

Common Retainer Options

Retainers help to stabilize teeth after orthodontic treatment has been completed. Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS offers a couple of options to protect your investment, long-term. After transforming your smile, it’s important to wear your retainer as much as possible. Some of the options that Dr. Morehart may suggest are removable and fixed retainers.

• Removable Retainer – a removable retainer is the most common type, but depending on the individual, it may not always be the best choice. A removable retainer is crafted from a clear plastic that is formed by heat and a model of your teeth.  Removable retainers can be virtually invisible, and easy to wear.


• Fixed Retainer – also known as a bonded retainer, a fixed retainer consists of a wire being bonded to the back of the six bottom teeth. Bonded retainers tend to protect fewer teeth than removable retainers, but are ideal for the patient that may forget to wear his or her retainer at night.

If you have questions or concerns regarding orthodontics, 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. 

Thank You for Your Positive Reviews!

Here at the dental practice of Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS our entire staff appreciates feedback from our patients because it teaches us how to improve as a team.  In this post, we would like to personally thank Carol C. for being a dedicated patient of ours. If you’ve recently experienced exceptional service from our office, please let us know! 

"Dr. Morehart accepted me as a new patient with an urgent problem, that another dentist had neglected, and he fixed the problem immediately. I made another appointment to have the problem fixed permanently. DR. Morehart performed a very thorough exam; he gave me a detailed plan of care to fix other issues. The dental work was completed in a timely manner and without pain. The dental staff is very knowledgeable, friendly and caring! I highly recommend Dr. Morehart and his staff."

-Carol C.

If you would like to leave a testimonial or are interested in learning more about the services we provide at the practice, visit www.eniddentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in Enid, OK, call 580-237-2213.

Crown Lengthening

Crown lengthening is the term for removing excess gum tissue from the surfaces of teeth.  Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS removes gum tissue from patient’s mouths for aesthetics and for function.  At our office we see many patients unhappy with their smiles, and even patients without any damage to their teeth feel like their gums keep them from enjoying their ideal smile.  When gum tissue is removed for function it is typically for making room to affix a restoration, like a crown, to a tooth.

Whether a crown lengthening procedure is done for function or aesthetics, it is a simple in-office procedure. Local anesthetic is used while your dentist removes excess gum tissue with either a scalpel or laser tools.  If tissue is being removed for a restoration to fit you may only require tissue to be removed from a couple of teeth.  Some people have more gum tissue than others and it results in a gummy smile, which can be corrected throughout the entire mouth.  The result is a visually pleasing ratio of teeth to gums that creates an even smile! 

To learn more about crown lengthening and all the services we offer at the practice, visit www.eniddentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in Enid, OK, call 580-237-2213.