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. 

Wisdom Teeth Headaches

Wisdom teeth are the final set of molars that develop between the ages of 17-24. Depending on the patient, they may be left alone, but because they are problematic, they are commonly extracted. Impacted wisdom teeth also known as those that reside underneath the gum line can increase a patient’s risk of infection and lead to frequent headaches if left untreated. If your wisdom teeth are still intact and causing you discomfort, it may be time to schedule a consultation with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS.

Before discussing extraction, Dr. Morehart will take X-rays and discuss the process with you in detail. Common symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth aside from headaches include throbbing pain in the back of the mouth, swollen gums, and/or swelling around the jaw. The pain will likely get worse as the surrounding teeth become affected. Impacted wisdom teeth can push the teeth around them, forcing them out of place, leaving you in pain.

If you have questions or concerns regarding wisdom teeth extraction, 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. 

Frenectomies

A frenectomy is a procedure to remove a frenulum, or muscular attachment between two tissues, from the mouth.  Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS performs frenectomies to correct issues patients have with their gums, teeth, tongue and lips. 

We each have a frenulum between both the upper and lower front teeth.  This connects the gums to the inside of the lips. When this frenulum is short, it can pull at the gum line and cause gum recession.  The frenectomy procedure can be done quickly in the office with local anesthesia.  Once the gums are numb, a scalpel or laser tool is used to remove the frenulum.  This usually takes less than 15 minutes and patients only feel slight discomfort after the procedure.

Another frenulum is located underneath the tongue, and removing this is called a lingual frenectomy.  A very short or thick frenulum underneath the tongue can inhibit breastfeeding, and interrupt speech development.  Lingual frenectomies are performed when a patient is very young, and under general anesthesia.  These patients can heal quickly and continue to develop their speech.

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

Sealants for Pediatric Patients

Almost half of all children and adolescents in the United States have had cavities in their permanent teeth.  At the dental practice of Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS, we take great pride in serving the families from our community, and want to see kids get on track for a lifetime of great oral health!  Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS applies sealants for pediatric patients to protect their back teeth during the years many kids experience their first cavity.

Molars first come in at around 5-7 years of age, with a second set coming in between the ages of 11-14.  These teeth have pits and grooves on the chewing surface that trap food and bacteria.  The best time to have a sealant placed is when the molars first come in to make sure they are protected early.  The process of getting a sealant is quick and simple for your child.  The plastic resin is applied to the back molars with a little brush.  This resin fills any pits and grooves on the surface of the tooth, then hardens.  The surface of the molars is now protected from bits of food being stuck, so bacteria cannot multiply and cause decay, and tooth enamel is protected from plaque and acids.  Sealants can effectively prevent cavities for up to ten years and can be reapplied of necessary.

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