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. 

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!

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.