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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Smiling girl with Tooth Tray

A clear solution in orthodontics for patients in Spokane, WA

If you have crooked teeth, you could be among the millions experiencing lowered self-confidence that affects your social and professional life, and your happiness. An estimated four million people in the U.S. (a quarter of them adults) are in traditional braces. Brackets and wires are not for everyone, though. Dr. Richard Weigand offers a discreet, comfortable, and effective ​orthodontics option for patients in Spokane, WA.

How Invisalign can improve your smile

With advancements in modern dental technology, there is now a ​faster, more affordable orthodontic solution ​to get the straighter smile you deserve. Using the latest technology in orthodontics and having over 30 years of experience, he can help you get a ​straighter smile and renewed confidence​with clear aligners.

Instead of cemented brackets and metal wires, this method of teeth straightening uses smooth, transparent plastic aligners to gently reposition teeth. Invisalign is popular because the aligners are barely noticeable, and they do not irritate the gums, cheeks, or lips.

Dr. Weigand tailors the treatment plan to your needs. You receive multiple sets of aligners to wear over the course of your treatment time, switching to the next set about every two weeks. These aligners progressively make minor adjustments, until teeth reach desired positions. Aligners are worn for 20-22 hours each day, but are removed for normal eating, brushing, and flossing.

In 1998, when the FDA approved Invisalign, it was considered a treatment for minor, cosmetic misalignment. The technology has continued to advance, however. Today, Invisalign can be used effectively for:

  • Crowded teeth
  • Gaps and uneven spacing
  • Overlaps, twisted, and shifted teeth
  • Overbite correction
  • Underbite correction
  • Crossbite correction

How Spokane, WA patients benefit from orthodontics

Straight teeth have fewer nooks that trap food debris, and they make it easier to keep your mouth clean. That reduces harmful oral bacteria, which lowers risk of developing tooth decay and gum disease. Crooked teeth can also affect bite – how the upper and lower arches close together. Unbalanced bite leads to accelerated dental wear (chips, fractures, and worn-down teeth). It can also contribute to painful clenching and grinding, TMJ problems, headaches, and migraines.

For teens and busy adults, comfortable, discreet Invisalign clear aligners can be an ideal alternative to traditional braces. Call (509) 485-8620 for an ​orthodonticconsultation at Richard D Weigand DDS in Spokane, WA.

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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