Are you considering Invisalign near St. Louis? Invisalign is increasingly popular in family dentistry , as more and more patients of all ages visit Dr. Spalitto to straighten their teeth with clear braces. Everyone knows that straight teeth can dramatically improve your cosmetic appearance, and visiting a dentist for braces can make you look and feel younger. However, correcting misaligned, gapped, or overlapping teeth with Invisalign can also improve your oral and overall health. Continue reading to find out how straight teeth lower your risk for cavities, gingivitis, and disease.

Easier Cleaning
Your dentist may recommend straightening your teeth with a retainer, braces, or Invisalign so you can protect yourself against tooth decay. Invisalign is especially recommended in family dentistry because they do not involve wire brackets. With traditional braces, your oral hygiene routine can be complicated by trying to remove sticky foods and floss between wires. With Invisalign, you can simply remove your aligners and continue brushing and flossing your teeth the way you normally do.

Healthier Teeth
When the teeth are properly aligned, the gums fit more securely around the teeth. If your teeth are too crowded or too widely spread, your gums can become red and inflamed. Unfortunately, these are also symptoms of gum disease. If gum disease is allowed to progress, it can lead to the next stage known as periodontitis, which is an even more serious concern. If severe periodontitis develops, the disease can potentially impact other aspects of your overall health. Fortunately, straightening your teeth moves them into the proper position and helps you ward off gum disease.

Improved Self-Esteem
While you may not initially think of your self-confidence as being related to your overall health, people with high self-esteem are both happier and healthier. Confident people are more inclined to leave the home to socialize, and close relationships with friends and family are associated with better mental health. Additionally, confident men and women are better positioned to achieve success in their careers.

If you are interested in Invisalign, find out if clear braces are right for you by calling Dr. Spalitto at West County Dental. Speak to a dental team member directly by dialing (314) 821-2712.

Dr. Spalitto, your dentist in St. Louis , is committed to helping your family achieve good oral health at all stages of life. That is why baby bottle tooth decay is one issue our family dentistry practice educates patients about. This video explains this risk to your child’s developing teeth.

Baby bottle tooth decay occurs when baby teeth are exposed to sugary liquids for long periods. At your next family dentistry appointment, talk to your dentist about ways to avoid this kind of decay, such as never putting your child to bed with a bottle.

Regular family dentistry appointments at West Country Dental will help you manage your baby’s oral health. To schedule an appointment, please call (314) 821-2712 today.

If you have suffered tooth loss—whether you have lost a single tooth or need a full mouth restoration—Dr. Spalitto and his team at West County Dental are here to help you explore your treatment options. Dental implants are one way people are reclaiming their beautiful smiles after losing teeth. If you are considering dental implants in St. Louis , here is a look at two possible approaches to the procedure.

3-Stage Dental Implants
With three-stage dental implants, your dentist first places a post into your jaw that will act as support for your implant and mimic a natural tooth root. After the post is placed, it is allowed to fuse with your bone in a process called osseointegration. This ensures that the implant is stable and acts like a natural tooth. After osseointegration is complete, your dentist will expose the post through a small incision in your gums and attach an abutment, which will serve as a bridge between the crown and the post of your implant. In some cases, a crown is attached to the abutment at this time. In other cases, your gum tissue is allowed to heal around the abutment before a crown is attached. The entire procedure takes three to six months.

1-Stage Dental Implants
For some patients, it is possible to get dental implants in one day. Using keyhole surgery, your dentist can place the entire implant and crown in one procedure. Because the implant is placed using keyhole surgery, there is less disruption of the soft tissue, which can decrease the healing time and any post-procedure discomfort. One-stage implants are not right for every patient. Dr. Spalitto will determine which approach is right for you based on a number of factors, including the health of your jaw, your preferences, and how many teeth you are having replaced.

To find out if dental implants are right for you, call West County Dental at (314) 821-2712 to schedule a consultation. In addition to dental implants, our family dentistry practice offers a range of services, from tooth extraction to treatment for gum disease.

An abscessed tooth is a dental infection that could have long-term implications for your oral health if left untreated. Fortunately, your dentist in St. Louis can provide treatment to cure the infection and prevent long-term complications.

An abscessed tooth occurs when the pulp becomes infected and dies. This can cause inflammation that leads to aching, painful chewing, and swollen gums. A bump may also appear on the gums near the infected tooth. When left untreated, an abscess can spread to the bone and surrounding tissue, and could cause tooth loss and the need for dentures or dental implants. Your dentist can treat an abscess by performing a root canal to clean out the pulp and bacteria and seal the area to prevent further infection. A crown can then be placed to build the tooth back up and address any cosmetic concerns that were caused by the infection.

If you experience any of the symptoms of an abscessed tooth, contact Dr. Spalitto’s family dentistry practice for an appointment and diagnosis. You can reach our office at (314) 821-2712.

Root canals are common procedures used to save a tooth that is decayed or damaged. Although the procedure has a reputation for causing anxiety in dental patients, in reality, most find it to be similar to having a filling. If you have questions about root canals in St. Louis, talk to your dentist about what to expect during your procedure. Here are some of the reasons why your family dentist may recommend a root canal.

Deep Cavities
In some cases, cavities can be treated with a dental filling. However, when the decay is deep in the tooth, a root canal may be necessary. Your dentist will recommend a root canal if the decay has infected the pulp of your tooth. Performing a root canal allows your dentist to remove the decay completely, so that it doesn’t affect your jaw or neighboring teeth. Note that the level of pain associated with your decayed tooth is not an indication of how deep the decay is. In some cases, very deep decay may not cause pain.

Abscesses
If the pulp of your tooth becomes decayed and dies, a pus pocket may form at the end of the root. The abscess will continue to collect pus and grow, and it may form a pimple-like bump on the gums. Left untreated, an abscess will grow and cause an infection in the jaw bone and surrounding tissue that could lead to tooth loss. Your dentist can clean out the bacteria that are causing the abscess by performing a root canal.

Trauma
If your tooth is hit with force, the nerve at the end of the root could be severed. As a result, the root will die. Likewise, if a fracture occurs, it could extend to the pulp. After a trauma, a root canal procedure with a crown can be used to restore the tooth. In some cases, the effects of a trauma aren’t seen until many years after an accident, when a root canal becomes necessary.

If you are experiencing symptoms of severe tooth decay, a dentist can help you determine if you need a root canal. At West County Dental, Dr. Spalitto and his team are ready to provide the family dentistry services you need. To schedule an appointment, please call (314) 821-2712.

As you age, your risk increases for developing dental problems, such as gum disease, tooth decay, and tooth loss. You can minimize this risk by caring for your teeth at home by brushing and flossing regularly, and visiting a dentist near you in St. Louis for professional cleanings and dental care checkups. To avoid costly cosmetic dentistry procedures in the future, follow these tips for caring for your teeth in your senior years.

Keep an Eye Out for Oral Health Issues
Seniors are more vulnerable to certain oral health issues, such as dental cavities, tooth decay, periodontal disease, and dry mouth. These problems can develop or become exacerbated by health problems and lifestyle choices. Certain medications can cause dry mouth, increasing your risk of tooth decay, periodontal disease, and tooth loss. A poor diet, poor dental care, and smoking can also contribute to these risks. If you notice symptoms of any oral health issues, visit Dr. Spalitto and his team as soon as possible. Keeping up with your dental health also improves your quality of life! Being able to keep healthy teeth for longer gives you the ability to keep more teeth and eat what you enjoy!

Visit the Dentist Regularly
Regular visits to the dentist provide you with an opportunity for a professional oral health screening. Your dentist will look for signs of periodontal disease, cavities, and oral cancer. If these issues are caught early enough, you may be able to keep your natural teeth. Without proper dental care from a dentist, however, and you may need to undergo a root canal procedure or tooth extraction.

Seek Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures When Necessary
If your tooth becomes severely damaged due to injury, cavities, tooth decay, or periodontal disease, your dentist may have to perform a tooth extraction. You shouldn’t wait too long before turning to cosmetic dentistry procedures to replace a missing tooth. The longer you have a gap in your teeth, the more your remaining teeth will begin to shift out of alignment to fill the gap. A cosmetic dentist can replace your missing tooth with a dental implant or dentures. A dentist who practices sedation dentistry can even administer medication that will help you relax during the dental surgery.

Dr. Spalitto is the dentist on staff for a local nursing and rehabilitation care center, and is very in tune with caring for seniors and their dental health!

Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is a condition that can result from poor oral hygiene and infrequent visits to the dentist. If left untreated, it can cause serious dental problems, and can even require tooth extraction. To prevent periodontal disease from developing, you must practice excellent oral hygiene at home, and visit your dentist regularly for professional dental care. If you’re concerned that you’re suffering from periodontal disease in St. Louis , keep reading to learn about the signs and symptoms.

Tender, Red, Inflamed Gums
The first symptoms of gum disease can be tenderness, redness, and inflammation of the gums, but another sign is when the dentist measures your gums they find bleeding. This occurs due to poor oral hygiene. Brushing and flossing regularly removes harmful plaque and bacteria from your mouth. If you don’t practice good dental care, the plaque on your teeth hardens into tartar. Tartar harbors harmful bacteria that can cause painful infections in the gums. Once you have tartar buildup, it can only be removed by a visit to a dentist near you for a professional teeth cleaning. Be aware that pain isn’t always a sign of periodontal disease, which is why it’s important to see your dentist so he can look for bleeding when measuring your gums.

Gingivitis
If tartar is not removed, you may develop a condition called gingivitis. Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease, and dentists consider it the precursor to full periodontal disease. If you have symptoms of gingivitis, such as bleeding gums, intensely bad breath, sores in your mouth, or pus between your gums and teeth, you should visit a dentist immediately. When caught early enough, a dentist can offer treatment that prevents gingivitis from progressing into gum disease. Gingivitis is also not always associated with pain, which is why it is important to have regular visits to the dentist. Don’t wait for something to hurt!

Receding Gums and Tooth Pain
In the final stages of gum disease, you’ll experience receding gums and tooth pain. As the infection in your gums spreads, it causes the gums to begin pulling away from your teeth, forming loose pockets. This may change the way your dentures fit, and can cause your natural teeth to lose proper support and structure. Without treatment, you’ll experience bone loss and tooth loss. A severe case of periodontal disease necessitates tooth extraction. Your dentist will then have to replace your missing teeth with dentures or dental implants.

You feel you may be at risk for periodontal disease, come visit Dr. Spalitto at West County Dental!

Your dentist may recommend root canal therapy to restore a tooth that has become badly damaged due to cavities or decay. Dental cavities and decay can damage the nerve root or infect the dental pulp of a tooth. If not treated, this damage and infection will necessitate tooth extraction. If you’re suffering from cavities near St. Louis , ask your dentist to perform a root canal procedure, so that you can avoid tooth extraction. At West County Dental, Dr. Spalitto is prepared to do emergency root canals. He and his team can get patients in and out in the same day, quickly treating their pain! He has been treating root canals for over twenty years, and does them in-house; no referrals!

Prior to your root canal procedure, your dentist will administer anesthesia. If you visit a sedation dentist, you’ll be given medication to calm your nerves and relax you. Your dentist will then drill a small access hole in your tooth, through which he’ll remove infected tissue and debris. He may then inject antibiotics into your tooth to prevent further infection.

After your tooth is completely cleaned, your dentist will fill the cavity of your tooth with dental materials, and seal the hole with dental cement. He’ll then place a dental crown over the top of your tooth to protect it from further infection or decay. The dental crown will also provide necessary structural support for your tooth, preventing it from breaking or cracking. West County Dental has the capability to do same day crowns. Also, if you prefer or require sedation dentistry, that can be discussed as part of the treatment plan!

Once your child develops his first tooth, he’ll need to begin visiting a family dentist near you in St. Louis for regular dental care. Your family dentist can provide teeth cleaning, preventative dental care, and oral health screenings to ensure your child doesn’t develop cavities. The earlier your child is when he begins visiting the dentist, the less likely he is to suffer from dental fears later in life.

Watch this video to learn more about the importance of regular dentist visits for your child. Your child will learn good oral hygiene habits, and will receive professional dental care, reducing his future risk of cavities, tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth loss.

Many parents are under the impression that they need to take their child to a pediodontist to get the care they need, but this isn’t true! Dr. Spalitto regularly treats children ages two and up! Bring your family in to see the awesome team at West County Dental.

Have you been to the dentist in St. Louis and noticed that your dental professional is using a laser? Most people have, but laser dentistry still remains a mystery to most.

Dr. Spalitto’s team at West County Dental wants to help you understand the process of laser dentistry by answering some of the common questions about the procedure.

What is Laser Dentistry?
Laser dentistry is exactly what it sounds like. It uses lasers during dental work procedures. Lasers have been used in dentistry since the 1990s. Using lasers allows your dentist to produce a beam of light energy that causes your tissue to react. It allows your dentist to shape or remove tissue safely and accurately in your mouth.

What Are Lasers Used For?
If you have tooth decay, lasers can be used to prepare your tooth for a filling. Lasers are also useful to harden a filling once it is placed. If you have some stage of gum disease, Dr. Spalitto can use a laser to shape your gums and remove any bacteria. Another common use for lasers is during a root canal. They are able to remove bacteria during the procedure. Lastly, a dental professional uses a laser to whiten your teeth. The lasers speed up the whitening process.

How Does Laser Dentistry Work?
Laser dentistry is used in so many dental procedures that it would be difficult to explain each one. However, here are a few explanations. During an in-office tooth whitening, for example, a laser is a heat source that reacts with the topical whitening agents to make them activate quicker. And in the case of surgery, a laser is used as a cutting instrument.

What are the Benefits of Laser Dentistry?
Laser dentistry is wonderful because in many cases it can decrease the pain of a procedure and reduce the need for a patient to receive anesthesia. Less blood during soft tissue procedures is also a benefit of laser dentistry. The main benefit of laser dentistry is that is can act as a replacement for a dental drill, meaning less noise and anxiety.