Dear Patient:

We hope this letter finds you and your family in good health. Our community has been through a lot over the last few months, and all of us are looking forward to resuming our normal habits and routines. While many things have changed, one thing has remained the same: our commitment to your safety.

Infection control has always been a top priority for our practice and you may have seen this during your visits to our office. Our infection control processes are made so that when you receive care, it’s both safe and comfortable. We want to tell you about the infection control procedures we follow in our practice to keep patients and staff safe.

Our office follows infection control recommendations made by the American Dental Association (ADA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We follow the activities of these agencies so that we are up-to-date on any new rulings or guidance that may be issued.

You may see some changes when it is time for your next appointment. We made these changes to help protect our patients and staff. For example:

  • Our office will communicate with you beforehand to ask some screening questions. You'll be asked those same questions again when you are in the office.
    • We have hand sanitizer that we will ask you to use when you enter the office. You will also find some in the reception area and other places in the office for you to use as needed.
    • You may see that our waiting room will no longer offer magazines, children’s toys and so forth, since those items are difficult to clean and disinfect.
    • Appointments will be managed to allow for social distancing between patients. That might mean that you’re offered fewer options for scheduling your appointment.
  • We will do our best to allow greater time between patients to reduce waiting times for you, as well as to reduce the number of patients in the reception area at any one time.

We look forward to seeing you again and are happy to answer any questions you may have about the steps we take to keep you, and every patient, safe in our practice. To make an appointment, please call our office at (509) 485-8620 or visit our website at www.drweigand.com

Thank you for being our patient. We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming back our patients, neighbors and friends.

Sincerely,
Richard D. Weigand, DDS

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4 Benefits Of Dental Implants You Should Know

If you’ve recently lost teeth, it’s time to think about replacements as soon as possible. The faster you get a replacement option in place, the less time your teeth have to adjust to the new space created. When it comes to those replacement options, there are a few choices depending on how many teeth need replaced. When you talk to your dentist in Spokane, WA, about your options, you’ll find that the current top recommendation is dental implants, and that’s because they bring several clear advantages.

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Dental implant illustration

  1. Implants Simulate the Action of Natural Teeth

Since the replacement teeth are anchored to the jaw with a titanium implant, they stimulate the gum and jawbone in a way that acts like a tooth’s root, preventing loss of tissue over time. This also makes the implants strong, so they are permanently fixed and capable of taking on any foods.

  1. They Are Beautiful

New technologies like 3D printing have been brought to bear to figure out the most efficient and best-looking options for replacement teeth over the years. That means you’ll always be able to count on realistic porcelain replacements built to look just like natural teeth. Like natural teeth, porcelain has a brilliant sparkle, and with proper care it will keep sparkling for years to come.

  1. Implants Never Need to Be Replaced

Implants are truly permanent. Other replacement options are “permanent,” but individual sets of dentures and bridges do have an expected life cycle before they need replacement. Undamaged implants do now wear out, so they don’t need to be replaced. In the event an individual replacement tooth is broken, it can be repaired on its own or replaced, with no need to place new anchors.

  1. Fast Recovery Times

There is a recovery window after surgery before you’ll be back to eating all your favorite foods, but for most patients, dietary restrictions only need to be in place for a couple of days to a week. Recovery is typically fast because the process of placing implants is well-practiced and efficient.

Contact our office for an appointment.

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Dr. Richard Weigand

Richard D. Weigand, DDS

Dr. Richard Weigand is trusted and respected by the communities in Spokane, WA for his skill and expertise and his genuine concern for patients. He has won numerous accolades for his services.

He is a Fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry and World Clinical Laser Institute and a member of the American Dental Association, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Spokane District Dental Society, and Washington State Dental Association. He is certified with the Las Vegas Institute of Advanced Dental Studies, Pacific Aesthetic Continuum (Live), World Clinical Laser Institute, and the Spear Center in Scottsdale, AZ. He is also co-founder of the Spokane Practice Management Club.

Dr. Weigand shares his knowledge and experience through journal and magazine articles and media interviews. He has also contributed to many community projects.
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