Dennis Morehart, DDS

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Night Guards

Teeth grinding, called bruxism, is a disorder that can damage teeth, restorations, and cause a lot of pain. Here at Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS, we have been protecting our patients that grind their teeth by creating a custom night guard to wear while sleeping.


Bruxism can be especially bad at night when you are unware you are grinding your teeth. Clenching and grinding wears away and loosens teeth and restorations. The pressure from the clenching can also cause jaw pain, facial pain, and headaches. This can eventually lead up to TMJ dysfunction.


Dr. Morehart creates a custom night guard to protect your teeth and alleviate the pain caused by grinding. He first takes an impression of your teeth. Acrylic, a hard, durable plastic is then molded over the impression, forming the shape of the mouth piece. This way of custom creating the night guard assures a comfortable fit in your mouth. When night guards are taken good care of, they can last up to ten years.


If you suspect you grind your teeth at night, come see us at our Enid, OK dental practice for an evaluation. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS call us at (580) 237-2213 or visit our website, www.eniddentalcare.com

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are a great option to restore teeth that are weak or fractured but still have the root structure intact. Tooth restoration is a vital part of keeping oral health. Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS has been repairing the health and the smiles of his patients here at our Enid, OK dental practice.


A dental crown is a cap that goes on top of an existing tooth. The porcelain finished crowns have a natural look to them, so they blend in with the rest of your natural teeth, restoring your smile. To begin applying a crown, Dr. Morehart will file and reshape the enamel of your tooth. An impression of your tooth and the surrounding teeth will be taken and sent to a laboratory so a custom crown can be created. This laboratory process usually takes between two and three weeks, so during that process Dr. Morehart will place a temporary crown. When ready, the crown is then bonded to your tooth permanently. Crowns will usually last about ten to fifteen years with a regular oral hygiene routine.


If you are looking to restore a weakened or fractured tooth and are interested in learning more about dental crowns, call us at (580) 237-2213 or visit our website, www.eniddentalcare.com. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS and restore your smile!

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Root Canal

Infected teeth are painful and leaving them untreated can lead to much worse problems. Root canal therapy often has a scary reputation. But with modern advances and appropriate pain medications, root canals can be performed with only mild discomfort. Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS has been helping his patients restore their oral health by performing root canal therapy.


When the center of a tooth, dental pulp, becomes exposed due to a crack or decay in the tooth, bacteria can build up. This can cause an infection or an abscessed tooth, as well as major swelling and bone loss at the tip of the root.


To begin a root canal procedure, Dr. Morehart will first drill an access hole to the pulp. The pulp and other decayed tissue and debris are removed and the tooth is cleaned out. Dr. Morehart will then fill the tooth with gutta-percha, a sealant. A filling is then placed over the access hole. In some cases, Dr. Morehart may want to place a crown on top of the tooth for extra protection.


Signs that root canal therapy is needed include prolonged sensitivity, pain while chewing, and a dark spot on the tooth. Signs the gums may show include swelling, tenderness, or a reoccurring pimple near the affected tooth.


If you are experiencing prolonged tooth pain and sensitivity, make sure to come visit us at Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in Enid, OK. To schedule an appointment, call (580) 237-2213 or visit our website, www.eniddentalcare.com

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Teeth Whitening

Many people desire a fresh, bright smile. With personal habits like drinking coffee, tea, or eating other foods that can stain, keeping those pearly whites bright can be a struggle. Here at Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS we have been helping our patients whiten their teeth and restore the brilliant smile they long for using a custom tray whitening system.


Dr. Morehart will first make an impression of your teeth so that the whitening trays are as effective to your unique teeth as they can be. Once the tray is ready, Dr. Morehart will show you how to place them and make sure you have instructions to carry you throughout the process. For a period of a few days, you will fill the trays with the whitening gel and place them for a short time. When the process is complete, depending on the original shade of your teeth, results can be four to eight shades whiter! Your smile is often the first thing someone notices about you. Whitening your teeth is an investment in your confidence and in your everyday life.


If you are interested in restoring the beautiful and bold smile you desire, visit Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS at his Enid, OK dental practice. For more information about the whitening trays, call (580) 237-2213 or visit our website, www.eniddentalcare.com. Schedule an appointment with us today!

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Inlays and Onlays

If you have heard someone use the term partial crown, they are talking about inlays and onlays, which our dentist Dr. Dennis Morehart provides. Inlays and onlays are a dental procedure performed to strengthen a tooth and prevent damage if it is weakened and at risk of breaking. It is a less invasive procedure than covering a tooth with a crown completely. An inlay is used when there is damage and it must be placed partially inside the tooth, while an onlay goes right on top of a tooth that doesn’t have as much damage to the cusps of the tooth.


Before placing inlays and onlays, we must first remove any decayed portions of the tooth. Then, an impression is made and sent to a lab where the inlay or onlay is made. In approximately 2-3 weeks, the restoration is complete and can be bonded to the tooth. We do this with very strong cement for a stable hold. Inlays and onlays last about the same time as crowns, which is approximately 10-15 years. The better a patient takes care of their teeth, the longer it lasts.


To learn more about getting inlays and onlays, call us at (580) 237-2213 or visit www.eniddentalcare.com for more information about Dr. Dennis Morehart and his Enid, OK dental practice.

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Bad Breath

Bad breath is something our patients often experience, and is one of the common things they ask us about at our practice. Quite often, having bad breath, also called halitosis, is the result of decay and can be remedied with proper cleanings and periodontal health.


Dr. Dennis Morehart offers a variety of dental services that help clean the patient’s mouth. Whether that means a regular cleaning, treating gum disease, or providing tips and suggestions for improving their halitosis, we help patients find better self-confidence.


In general, bad breath can be caused by a number of things, including:




  • Failing to brush and floss regularly

  • Smoking cigarettes

  • Not drinking enough water

  • Suffering from dry mouth

  • Taking certain medications



During the first dental visit, we determine the root cause of the bad breath. This helps guide us in the right direction for the best treatment options. In some cases, it is simply a matter of a deep cleaning, while other patients need treatment for periodontal disease. If you are struggling with bad breath in Enid, OK call Dr. Dennis Morehart to schedule an appointment for a professional cleaning and check-up.

Thursday, May 7, 2015

Digital Panorex

Here at our Enid, OK General Dentsitry, we utilize advanced technology for a variety of diagnostic and dental procedures, including the Panorex digital imaging system. Panorex is an imaging machine that can identify a wide range of issues with the teeth, gums and bone that traditional x-rays are not able to find. We use this technology to aid in diagnosing orthodontic and dental problems while also looking at the overall structure of the teeth and mouth.


Patients who come into our office to use the Panorex will go through the following steps:


1. The patient comes into our office and sits on the Panorex chair


2. Their chin rests on a small ledge on the machine, while we position it properly


3. The Panorex machine rotates around their head at a 360-degree angle


By orbiting the head at 360 degrees, in about 20 seconds, the machine captures high quality images of the teeth, gums, head, bones and sinuses. With these images, Dr. Dennis Morehart is able to make sure the patient’s teeth are functioning as they could, as well as finding reasons for pain or other issues the patient is experiencing.


Visit our Enid, OK office to take advantage of this innovative imaging technology! For more information about Dr. Dennis Morehart and the services he offers at his practice, visit www.eniddentacare.com or call (580) 237-2213 to schedule an appointment.