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.