Dennis Morehart, DDS: Blog: Dr. Dennis Morehart

Showing posts with label Dr. Dennis Morehart. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 1, 2018

A Child's First Dental Appointment

At the dental office of Dr. Dennis Morehart, we are proud to serve the families from our community, and we want them to know it’s just as important for children to have regular dental visits. A child’s first dental visit should be scheduled when the first baby tooth appears, or around the child’s first birthday. Baby teeth eventually come out, but their growth and development is important for overall oral health for the child and the development of their adult teeth.

Baby teeth should be brushed and cared for like adult teeth, and it’s important to monitor their growth and development. Missing any tooth for too long can change the development of surrounding teeth and compromise the structure of the jaw bone, but regular checkups can keep a child’s tooth development right on track. Our dentists are skilled and experienced in administering dental care to children. If your child has seems nervous about seeing a dentist for the first time, we recommend going through a brushing routine with them at home, and talking about the dental visit before you arrive. Once we get your child’s oral health off to a great start, we offer a full range of services for child patients including dental cleanings, fluoride treatments and sealants.

We love to see good oral hygiene habits formed early and make lifetime patients out of kids from our community! To learn more about dental care for your kids, visit www.eniddentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in Enid, OK, call 580-237-2213.

Wednesday, July 25, 2018

Veneers For A Smile Makeover

Patients of Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS are always asking our doctors about the latest cosmetic solutions for their teeth. Some fixes are recommended just to repair damage or just to whiten, but veneers are the best way to give your smile a total makeover. Veneers are thin ceramic shells that bond directly to the surface of your teeth. This gives you the opportunity to completely change the appearance of your smile and still look natural.

Patients with cosmetic issues like staining, cracked or chipped teeth, and even crooked teeth and small gaps can achieve a dazzling smile with veneers. We can make this happen in as little as two visits! First, your dentist will discuss the shape and look you want for your new smile. Then an impression of your teeth is taken in order to custom-fit the final product to the surfaces of your teeth. The impression is sent to a dental laboratory where your custom veneers will be fabricated, which may take up to two weeks. On your final visit, the veneers are bonded to your teeth for you to wear and enjoy!

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

Saturday, July 7, 2018

Types of Bridges

We’ve provided a lot of people with new teeth at Enid Dental Care. Thanks to advances in modern dentistry, there are now many options for tooth replacements. We wanted to take this opportunity to explain more about different kinds of bridges.

A bridge is a set of replacement crowns in one structure. A classical bridge was made up of two crowns which were placed over reshaped natural teeth, with a third crown suspended between them. Natural teeth tend to be more resilient than artificial ones so a dentist wouldn’t usually want to reshape them unless they need new crowns anyway. However, this method does have the advantage of leaving patients with their natural tooth roots.

It is also possible for dentures to be supported by implants. All-on-fours or all-on-sixes are bridges that are used to replace all the teeth in a jaw and are held permanently in place with normal-sized implants. Removable dentures can also be held in place with mini-implants. Partial implants have the advantage of allowing dentists to be more selective about which teeth a bridge replaces since they don’t require all the teeth in a row to be reshaped, but the denture itself will need to be replaced if the intervening teeth shift. Regardless of what kind of bridge a patient has, they will need to brush it on a daily basis.

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.

Thursday, June 28, 2018

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.

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Causes of Gap Teeth

Are you tired of your gap-toothed grin? At Enid Dental Care, we provide orthodontic treatment for major as well as cosmetic tooth alignment issues. We can help close a diastema, or gap between teeth, but treatments may vary depending on other bite issues.

A small gap could be covered with veneers. These porcelain shells are cemented to the front of teeth and can be deliberately made somewhat larger than the natural tooth in order to cover gaps and chips. They also mask cracks and stains. When the teeth are slightly jumbled, the Invisalign brand of clear, removable aligners we offer can move them into positions that are healthier, as well as more aesthetically pleasing. Enid Dental Care also offers traditional braces for people with problems such as overbites which require more intensive orthodontic correction.

Sometimes, a diastema in the top front teeth is not just due to teeth coming in misaligned. There is a strand of tissue on the inside of the upper lip called the labial frenum which links it to the jaw bone, and when it is too thick, it can prevent the teeth from coming together. It must be thinned surgically. Tongue thrusting during swallowing and thumb-sucking can also result in an overbite and gap teeth. These may require coordination with other specialists, such as ear-nose-and-throat doctors, to fix.

Friday, May 4, 2018

Diabetes and Implants

As a Master in the Academy of General Dentistry, Enid’s Dr. Dennis Morehart is an expert in placing implants. Many people have benefited from jaw-stabilizing tooth replacements, but for a long time, implants were considered risky prospects for people with difficulty controlling their blood sugar. Now, new research is indicating that diabetes may not raise the probability of implant failure, after all.

There are two ways in which diabetes was thought to be relevant to implant placement: duration of healing and inflammation. Because diabetes restricts blood flow, diabetic people take longer to recover from wounds. In order to place an implant, an incision must be made into the gum tissue, which is then sutured and allowed to heal during the time it takes for an implant to integrate into the jaw bone. Another incision may be made when an abutment is placed on top. While it is true that the gums take longer to heal in diabetics, the integration process usually takes six months, giving them plenty of time. And while chronic inflammation is associated with the failure of implants to integrate, the new study found that people with uncontrolled blood sugar do not experience higher failure rates within the first year of placement. It is still beneficial to a patient’s health to control their blood sugar, but if they find this difficult, they may not necessarily be disqualified from getting fixed dental restorations.

Thursday, April 12, 2018

Vertical Dimension Loss

As a Master in the Academy of General Dentistry, Dr. Dennis Morehart of Enid is has experience treating some of the most complicated oral health problems. In people who are missing several teeth, the loss of vertical dimension in the face poses a threat to their appearance, comfort, and overall quality of life. It can even lead to bite collapse, which is why we want our patients to know more about it.

The teeth help to stabilize the jaw bones. When tooth roots are removed, the tissue from the jaw bone dissolves, and the face shrinks. This causes wrinkles to develop in the skin in between the nose and the mouth and makes the lower part of their heads look disproportionately small. It can also trigger temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD), resulting in pain throughout the jaw, head, neck, and shoulders. If the back teeth are missing, patients may attempt to chew with their incisors, causing the front teeth to be pushed horizontal and causing misalignment problems as well as loss of vertical dimension.

There are a few options for preventing or repairing this. When a full set of dentures are fabricated, dentists take care to match the height of the artificial crowns to the patient’s needs. The temporary dentures worn as part of the treatment help to ensure the crown size is correct. If larger implants are being used to secure dental bridges, the patient may have additional jaw bone material grafted on by a surgeon.

Wednesday, April 4, 2018

Tooth Sectioning

Recently, we described some of the reasons why a person might need to have a wisdom tooth removed. At Enid Dental Care, we always carry out extractions with maximal effort to keep the patient safe and as comfortable as possible. For that reason, wisdom teeth sometimes need to be cut into sections while being extracted.

The wisdom teeth are large and often unable to erupt fully. They can be trapped partially or completely beneath the gum line, in which case incisions will need to be made through which they can be removed. However, the wisdom teeth are also anchored by strong ligaments and have thick roots. Attempting to pull or elevate them out all at once may be impossible or require a great deal of force, which could hurt the patient or break the tooth accidentally. To avoid this problem, after the patient has been numbed, the tooth will be cut using a dental drill. The extraction site is bathed continuously with water to prevent heat damage and the smaller sections of the tooth can be removed with less force and through smaller openings.

Saturday, January 20, 2018

Causes of Filling Failure

When patients suffer from tooth decay, Dr. Dennis Morhart’s Enid dental office is ready to help them. Our fillings are aesthetically pleasing and comfortable, but no filling lasts forever. Recently, scientists have conducted research on what causes fillings to fail, and we want our readers to know when they’re at risk.

Scientists are surprised to find that filling failure is associated with certain gene patterns. Therefore, it is especially important for people whose relatives have poor dental health to monitor their old fillings and maintain regular check-ups. But two of the biggest predictive factors were lifestyle related: smoking and alcohol. The scientists examined male smokers and found that their rate of filling failure was higher than that of male non-smokers. They also found that people of both sexes who consume alcohol have higher rates of filling failure. Because losing a filling is painful and potentially dangerous, we hope our patients will do everything they can to prevent this and will come to us if an old filling becomes sensitive or starts to leak. On a positive note, the researchers also found that white-colored composite fillings work just as well as old grey-colored amalgam ones, making these nicer-looking prosthetics a viable dental health option.

Tuesday, January 2, 2018

Mouth Ulcers

Mouth ulcers are a very common annoyance, but at Enid Dental Care, Dr. Dennis Morehart can provide patients with advice for managing their symptoms. There are, however, some differences between the causes of different kinds of ulcers which are important to know for managing oral health.

Cold sores are ulcers caused by the herpes simplex virus-1, which nearly everybody has. It is transferred through skin-to-skin contact as well as through sharing cups and utensils and lasts for the duration of a person’s life, but ulcer outbreaks are rare and usually clear up after a month. Other ulcers tend to be associated with physical damage to the mouth, which can be caused by misaligned bites and orthodontic brackets rubbing against the inside of the lips. Cankers are large white ulcers which have no certain cause but are hypothesized to be associated with stress and nutritional deficits.

Ulcers of all kinds usually heal on their own, but dentists can advise patients about topical cream to provide pain relief and infection-fighting medications. Dr. Morehart may also be able to identify physical problems in the mouth that are contributing to soft tissue damage.

Friday, December 22, 2017

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.

Thursday, December 14, 2017

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.

Thursday, November 2, 2017

Bleeding Gums

Gingivitis is one of the most common oral health ailments, but that doesn’t mean people should have to endure it. If you see blood in the sink when you spit out your toothpaste, you’re not alone, but help is available. This week’s blog is devoted to the causes of bleeding gums.

Bacteria are part of a healthy oral ecosystem, but problems occur when they grow out of control. This can happen when there is a lot of food debris in the gum pockets. Bacteria would rapidly multiply, and as they eat, they would produce acid. The acid would stick to the plaque and tartar around the tooth root, irritating the gum tissue it comes in contact with. This causes gingivitis—gum inflammation—which is characterized by redness and bleeding.

Regular brushing can reduce bacterial growth, although it’s important to only use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Hard-bristled toothbrushes can bruise the gum tissue, worsening the problem. Pregnant women frequently experience gum bleeding due to hormonal changes, as do people on blood thinner medications. Smoking and dry mouth also create situations in which bacterial growth is more likely. It is especially important for these patients to maintain regular appointments for deep cleanings.

Friday, October 6, 2017

Filling Sensitivity

If you’ve been having issues with fillings, the office of Dr. Dennis Morehart in Enid is the place to go. White fillings and bonding are some of the most important restorative devices in dentistry, allowing us to repair the aesthetic qualities of a patient’s smile in a minimally invasive way which will help prevent further decay. However, fillings and bonding don’t last forever and sometimes are placed unsuccessfully.

A tooth is usually sensitive immediately after a decayed portion is drilled away and filled in, but pain should not last for more than two days. The new filling also should not interfere with a patient’s bite. If it does, it is misshapen and needs to be replaced. But even when fillings are made well, the seal holding them in only has a lifespan of about ten years. After that, it will begin to crack. Bacteria are able to enter the cracks, where they cannot be removed by brushing and where they will produce more acid, causing more decay.

Of course, fillings may come loose sooner if they suffer trauma or a mouth’s health rapidly deteriorates. Anytime there is a problem with a filling or bonding, the patient should come in for a replacement before decay can resume.

Thursday, September 7, 2017

Back to School Check-Up

Patients of all ages should come in for cleanings twice a year, and if your children are due, there’s no better time than early in the school year. Caries, or cavities, are most common in children. If they are not treated, these little holes can become big problems.

The most recent information from the Centers for Disease Control says that as many as 20% of preteens and 13% of teenagers have untreated tooth decay. This spells big trouble for kids’ academic performance and overall health. Tooth decay progresses, meaning that what’s just a small cavity today could become infected pulp or a cracked tooth months from now. Such a problem would necessitate a root canal. In the meantime, the child will be in pain, which will interrupt their sleep, diet, and concentration, and could cause them to be irritable. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research estimates that 42% of children have caries (including treated ones) in their baby teeth and 23% of children have caries in their permanent teeth, indicating that tooth decay is quite common. Given the likelihood of some kind of decay, it is better for children to get treated near the start of the year, so problems can be discovered before they’ve had a major impact and when they’re simple to treat.

Thursday, August 10, 2017

Cleaning a Fixed Bridge

Bridges are one of the most reliable means of restoring teeth, but they require patients to learn a new way of caring for their oral health in order to get the maximal benefit. We highly value patient satisfaction and preventive care at Enid Dental Care, so we want to ensure our patients know all the tools that are available to them.

The gap in between the bridge and the gum line needs to be cleaned in a similar manner to the gaps between teeth. Some floss manufacturers make floss with stiffened tips so it can be pushed through the gap, but normal floss can be pulled through the gap with a tool called a threader. Similar in appearance to a soft sewing needle, threaders are used to pull floss over or under orthodontic wires and work the same way with bridges.

Some makers of electric toothbrushes and water picks also make tips for their devices which are designed for use on implants. Implant-supported bridges tend to have a larger gap, which allows larger food particles to get trapped but also allows for the use of larger brushes to dislodge them. A Christmas tree brush can be mounted on the end of a normal-sized toothbrush handle for this purpose.

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Intrinsic Stains

At Enid Dental Care, Dr. Dennis Morehart gives high priority to patients’ cosmetic concerns. Most tooth stains are extrinsic, meaning that they only extend to the outermost layers of the teeth. But for intrinsic stains, a root canal may be necessary to restore the appearance of a patient’s smile.

Extrinsic stains are acquired from factors such as smoking and drinking dark liquids and can usually be reversed through bleaching. Intrinsic stains, though they can be masked with veneers and bonding, affect the teeth at a deeper level. Some common causes of intrinsic stains are the use of tetracycline antibiotics and overexposure to fluoride. However, they also can be caused by infection or trauma to the dental pulp, which puts patients at risk of developing an abscess.

Dr. Morehart and his staff will use advanced imaging technology to determine whether the patient has an infection. If so, they will use root canal therapy to remove the damaged pulp. Usually, root canals end with the tooth being filled and sealed, but for cosmetic reasons, it may be preferable to replace the entire crown.

Thursday, June 15, 2017

Childhood Halitosis

At Enid Dental Care, Dr. Morehart and his dedicated staff provide assistance to patients of all ages suffering from halitosis. Children commonly have bad breath because they haven’t yet learned to maintain vigorous oral hygiene, but there may be another problem, or they may have been taught incorrectly.

The most common reason for halitosis is a build-up of bacteria. These can happen on the teeth, as well as the gums and the tonsils. Mouth sores and sinus infections also provide environments for bacteria to thrive in, particularly as the nasal drip from a sinus infection provides bacteria with plenty to feed on. A foreign object stuck in a child’s nose can also trigger nasal drip. Brushing the tongue is the surest way to prevent bacteria build-up at its most common location.

Another common cause of bad breath is dry mouth. Children who breathe through their mouths and who engage in physical play without staying hydrated are at high risk of developing dry mouth, but the condition can also result from certain medications. Anxiety and ADHD are common childhood ailments for which medications often cause dry mouth or directly create bad breath.

Saturday, June 10, 2017

Acid Reflux and Oral Health

What does heartburn have to do with teeth? In fact, quite a lot. At Enid Dental Care, Dr. Dennis Morehart observes many kinds of tooth erosion, and one of the most common is that caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease, also known as acid reflux or GERD.

Acid reflux happens when the sphincter between the esophagus and the stomach opens, allowing hydrochloric acid out of the stomach. GERD describes when this happens at least twice a week. Hydrochloric acid causes painful ulcers in the esophagus and when it gets as far as the mouth it can contribute to the erosion of the gums as well as the teeth and result in dry mouth.

As tooth enamel erodes, teeth become sensitive, discolored, and either pitted or flattened out. Remineralization therapies, such as fluoride treatment, can help protect enamel, but they cannot restore what has been lost. However, Dr. Morehart can reconstruct teeth through methods such as bonding and partial crowns. Patients can lower their risk of acid reflux by reducing their intake of fatty and acidic foods, such as citrus juice and onions, as well as chocolate and alcohol. They may also need to discuss with their general practitioner whether they need to switch out any medications that are harming their oral health.

Thursday, May 18, 2017

How to Care for Dentures

When patients receive dentures, preventing dry sockets is the first order of business, but learning a new oral health regimen is the second. At Enid Dental Care, we understand that getting dentures can be frightening, which is why we want our patients to know that we are anticipating their needs by providing them with information about proper denture care.

There are many kinds of dentures, but what they have in common is that they need to be removed for cleaning every night. Doing this will also give the patient the chance to brush their mouth, including their tongue and any exposed metal, such as implants or a bar support. People should only brush their mouths with soft-bristled brushes, and the same is true while brushing their dentures. But patients should also take care to select a toothpaste which has been approved for use on dentures because toothpaste for normal teeth contains gritty minerals that scratch artificial teeth, which lack natural protective films.

Anytime they are not in the patient’s mouth, dentures should be left soaking in room-temperature liquid. The liquid may be water or a cleaning solution, but it must not be hot enough to warp the denture’s thin plastic. Although it is expected that dentures will need to be refitted on occasion, this should only be done in a dental laboratory by professionals.