Is Invisalign as Effective as Braces?

Crooked teeth or a misaligned bite can significantly impact your self-esteem and oral health. You may find yourself covering your mouth when you smile or struggling to chew without pain. By fixing your bite, you can improve your appearance, address existing issues, and prevent unwanted health complications down the road.

Often, the best way to correct a crooked smile is with teeth-straightening braces or Invisalign. If you don’t want to deal with the inconvenience and appearance of traditional metal braces, you may be interested in what Invisalign has to offer. But is Invisalign really as effective as braces? Compare the two here to help you decide if Invisalign could be right for you.

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The Link Between Snoring, Sleep Apnea & Teeth Grinding

What do snoring, sleep apnea, and teeth grinding have in common? They are all mouth-related health problems that occur when you’re asleep. Because you can’t perceive many of the symptoms while sleeping, you may be unaware of the problem. Fortunately, a properly trained dentist can treat snoring, sleep apnea, and teeth grinding by fitting you with the appropriate mouth guard.

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When Should a Child See a Dentist for the First Time

At West County Dental, we see patients of all ages. Many parents ask us when they should first start bringing their children in to see us. The answer is that you should bring your baby in as soon as that first baby tooth appears. Baby teeth usually start coming in (this is called eruption) at around six months. They may not be permanent but they’re important, and they do last for years if kept healthy. And at any age, dental health is a large part of overall health. If a child gets dental disease that is not treated, he or she can suffer serious health problems.

At home, you can protect your child from dental disease with a routine of daily brushing, regular dental visits and good nutrition. Children learn healthy dental habits from their parents, siblings and caregivers.

At your child’s first visit Dr. Spalitto and our team will do several things:

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What to Expect After Getting Dental Implants

Dental implant surgery is often the best way to help people who are missing one or more teeth. There are a variety of implant procedures based on the condition of the patient. Let’s go over these procedures, and what the patient can expect to experience after getting these dental implants.

What is Dental Implant Surgery

A dental implant is a small titanium screw that serves as the replacement for the root portion of a missing tooth. Due to the biocompatible properties of titanium, a dental implant fuses with the bone and becomes a good anchor for the replacement tooth.

The conventional process can take from three to four months. First, the dentist places the dental implant, which is left for three to four months to heal and integrate with the jawbone. During the healing period, you are given a temporary prosthesis until the permanent crown is put in place.

Mini Dental Implants

A miniature titanium alloy implant acts like the root of your tooth, and features a retaining fixture incorporated into the base of your denture. The implant fixtures allow for a wide range of micro-mobility while withstanding natural lifting forces.

Full Mouth Dental Implants

When all teeth are missing or in such condition that they need to be replaced, a fixed bridge anchored to dental implants is the best permanent solution. The treatment procedure and number of visits is dependent on your specific conditions. Since this is the most extensive of these procedures, recovery time will be longer, but after a few weeks you’ll be able to eat and function as if you had your natural teeth.

All on 4 Dental Implants

The All-on-4 treatment replaces your missing teeth with a full dental bridge supported by implants. With less implants needed, treatment time is reduced. This ensures greater stability in the bone, reducing need for bone graft surgery to increase bone volume. Typically, your dentist can place temporary provisional teeth on the same day after treatment. These look and feel much like natural teeth, and you can lead a normal life immediately after surgery. After a few weeks, your dentist will place your final bridge, and you can start enjoying your favorite foods again.

At West County Dental, we provide personalized family dental care using state of the art procedures. Adhering to a standard of excellence, we provide comprehensive treatment, from preventive care to restorative dentistry. When you reserve a visit with West County Dental, you can be confident that our team of highly-trained dental professionals will provide you the care you need for a healthy smile. Call (314) 488-2921 or contact us through our website today!

How to Overcome Dental Anxiety

Are you afraid of going to the dentist? Millions of Americans suffer from dental anxiety, causing them to delay important dental appointments and cleanings. This can put their oral health at risk. It doesn’t have to be that way. Sedation dentistry uses modern methods to relax dental patients during their visit to the dentist, giving them relief for their anxiety. At West County Dental, we offer the following options for sedation dentistry:

Oral Conscious Sedation – The Pill Method

This method of sedation is administered by taking a pill prior to arrival at the dentist’s office. It puts the patient in a relaxed state but lets them stay conscious and able to respond. For safety reasons, the patient will need a friend or family member to drive them to and from the appointment.

Nitrous Oxide – The Gas Method

Also referred to as nitrous, laughing gas or NO, nitrous oxide is delivered through a mask over the nose, and the level of nitrous oxide dispensed is carefully controlled by your dentist. Nitrous oxide creates a mild sedative effect that lets the patient relax. As with the pill method, patients remain conscious and able to communicate with their dentist during the entire procedure.

Both of these methods of sedation dentistry are great solutions for anyone who has become paralyzed with fear at the thought of undergoing a dental procedure. Virtually all of our dental care treatments can be performed under some degree of sedation to help put you at ease. If your dental anxiety is caused by embarrassment about the state of your teeth or gums, rest assured, we have seen it all and do not judge. We know all the reasons why a patient’s dental health may be poor, and many are beyond their control. Our mission is to use our compassion and expertise to put you back into a state of dental health with minimal discomfort.

Find out More

If you have any questions at all about sedation dentistry or dental anxiety, give us a call or stop by. At West County Dental, we provide personalized family dental care using state of the art procedures. Adhering to a standard of excellence, we provide comprehensive treatment, from preventive care to restorative dentistry. When you reserve a visit with West County Dental, you can be confident that our team of highly-trained dental professionals will provide you the care you need for a healthy smile. Call (314) 488-2921 or contact us through our website today!

Can You Be Allergic to Novocaine

If you have a dental appointment coming up you have a number of questions and concerns. If one of your concerns is about a possible allergic reaction to a local anesthetic such as Novocaine, or lidocaine (which is more commonly used these days), you can probably stop fretting. While it is possible to have an allergic reaction to them, true allergies to general or local anesthetics is very rare, with frequency ranging from 1 in 5,000 cases to 1 in 25,000 cases. More people are merely sensitive to anesthetics than actually allergic to them. Symptoms of drug sensitivities include shaking, sweating, faintness, and heart palpitations.

What is an Allergy?

An allergy is when your body’s immune system overreacts to an otherwise harmless substance, known as an allergen. People are allergic to latex, pollen, bee stings, certain foods or medicines. Allergic reactions can be mild, moderate or life-threatening.

Allergic reactions to local anesthetics such as Novocaine or lidocaine include skin reactions (rash, hives, itching, swelling, etc.), trouble breathing, or anaphylactic shock, which is extremely rare. Most allergic reactions to local anesthetics involve only temporary itching and skin rash at the site of the injection.

Other Allergic Reactions

There are other chemicals in these local anesthetics that may trigger some allergic reactions. Most formulations contain epinephrine, which constricts blood vessels at the injection site. This decreases blood flow to the area so that the anesthetic stays near the injection site longer, making it more effective. Local anesthetics also contain preservatives to keep the epinephrine fresh. Allergies to epinephrine and these preservatives are rare, and any adverse reactions that may occur are often the result of sensitivities.

Talk to Your Dentist

If you have any concerns about anesthesia, or any aspect of an upcoming procedure or dental appointment, speak with your dentist. She or he can review your signs and symptoms to help you determine whether you can use Novocaine or lidocaine safely for dental procedures. There are newer sedation methods available that can reduce reliance on anesthetics as well.

At West County Dental, we provide personalized family dental care using state of the art procedures. Adhering to a standard of excellence, we provide comprehensive treatment, from preventive care to restorative dentistry. When you reserve a visit with West County Dental, you can be confident that our team of highly-trained dental professionals will provide you the care you need for a healthy smile. Call (314) 488-2921 or contact us through our website today!

Improving Your Smile After Losing Teeth

Even if you’ve taken excellent care of your teeth, you may eventually end up with a chipped tooth, a broken tooth or a few missing teeth. Fortunately, dental health procedures have come a long way. Here are a few ways that a good dentist can help you improve your smile after losing teeth.

Dentures and Partial Dentures

Dentures are replacement teeth, usually fixed to your gum with adhesive. A partial denture replaces part of a tooth. Dentures are seen as inferior to implants because adhesive can be unreliable and unpleasant, and even a choking hazard.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are as close as you can get to new, natural teeth. They protect your jaw and surrounding teeth in ways that dentures cannot. They last a very long time and are nearly indistinguishable from natural teeth. The best offices will use a titanium post that acts as the root of the missing tooth. Dental implants can be placed in either the upper or lower jaws. Due to the biocompatible properties of titanium, a dental implant fuses with the bone and becomes a good anchor for the replacement tooth. Dental implants can be used in solutions for replacing single or multiple missing teeth.

Dental Bridge

Dental bridges traditionally are a way to replace a gap of one or two spaces surrounded by teeth that are used for stability.

If all your teeth are missing or need to be replaced, a fixed bridge anchored to dental implants is the best permanent solution. Some benefits include:

• A dental bridge lets you eat and function like you have a full set of natural teeth
• It preserves your facial appearance and prevents bone loss

The treatment procedure and number of visits depends on the condition of the patient’s gums and teeth but often involves multiple visits.

Dental Crowns

A crown (or cap) is a tooth-colored, custom-made covering that encases the entire tooth surface restoring it to its original shape and size. Crowns protect and strengthen teeth that cannot be restored with fillings or other types of restorations. They are ideal for teeth that have large, fractured or broken fillings and also for those that are badly decayed.

At West County Dental, we provide personalized family dental care using state of the art procedures. Adhering to a standard of excellence, we provide comprehensive treatment, from preventive care to restorative dentistry. When you reserve a visit with West County Dental, you can be confident that our team of highly-trained dental professionals will provide you the care you need for a healthy smile. Call (314) 488-2921 or contact us through our website today!

Tips for a Cavity Free Holiday

The holidays are a time of togetherness, and presents, and fun, and sweets. Often, lots and lots of sweets. Pumpkin pies, fruit cakes, candy canes, chocolates, eggnog, gingerbread and cookies. All that sugar can take a heavy toll on your tooth enamel. Here are a few tips to avoid getting cavities and rotten teeth for Christmas.

Have Sweets in Moderation

You don’t have to avoid all the sweets to keep your teeth healthy. Just pay attention to how much you’re consuming. Consider having half a piece of pie, half a glass of eggnog, or one cookie instead of two. Don’t feel pressured to try every desert your friends brought to the holiday party.

Brush After Eating

You’ve been told all your life to brush between meals, but during the holidays, you may want to brush more often. We go to Christmas parties with punch and desserts, get offered cookies at work, and receive sweets from the neighbors. Brushing between meals is great, but it’s better to brush every time we have sugary foods or drinks. And replace your toothbrush when the bristles look worn. A new one will be more effective. If you’re not able to brush where you are, rinse your mouth with water. This removes excess sugar from your teeth.

Floss Daily

Many of us don’t like to floss, but it’s important to the health of your teeth and your gums. Buy an extra tooth floss or two so there’s always one available, and make it part of your daily routine. You don’t have to floss after every meal, but do it often enough to keep your mouth healthy, like every night before you go to bed. If you don’t enjoy flossing, consider other flossing products in the dental health section of your pharmacy or grocery store.

Schedule a Dental Appointment

Because of all these holiday sweets, it’s a good idea to schedule a dental cleaning or a dentist visit after the holidays. Scheduling regular cleanings and checkups can help you start the new year on a note of great dental health.

At West County Dental, we provide personalized family dental care using state of the art procedures. Adhering to a standard of excellence, we provide comprehensive treatment, from preventive care to restorative dentistry. When you reserve a visit with West County Dental, you can be confident that our team of highly-trained dental professionals will provide you the care you need for a healthy smile. Call (314) 488-2921 or contact us through our website today!

Is Your Crown Fitting Properly

One of the most common procedures in restorative dentistry, a dental crown is a tooth-shaped cover applied to a damaged tooth. When placed correctly, crowns, also called caps, are both useful and durable. They should feel like part of your natural tooth and can last for decades. If they’re not fitted properly, though, they can cause a number of issues.

• What happens when a crown doesn’t fit correctly? A crown with a less than ideal fit can cause problems with oral health and overall health. It can cause a misaligned bite that leads to bite issues, cheek biting, a cracked tooth, or even jaw problems like temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ). Ultimately, an ill-fitting crown can lead to gum disease and cavities, and a bad fit can even shorten the lifespan of the crown itself.
• How do you know if your crown is fitted properly? Sometimes, it can seem like a crown isn’t fitting correctly for the first few days after it’s placed. Especially after the jaw has been held open for a long time while the crown is placed, a person’s bite can feel off. However, after a couple of days you should settle in with your new crown and it should be comfortable. If it isn’t, that’s indicative of a problem. Sometimes problems become apparent very quickly after a crown is placed, while sometimes it takes a long time for a problem to become noticeable. A crown could be poorly placed from the outset, or it could become displaced by physical trauma, tooth grinding, sticky sweets, or tooth decay. Signs your crown isn’t properly fitted include:
• Pressure where the crown is or on the opposite side from the crown
• Stiff or sore jaw joints or muscles
• Red, inflamed gums
• Pressure on the teeth near the crown
• Crown that feels loose or shifts
• Difficulty flossing around the crown
• Food getting stuck beside the crown
• Painful or inefficient chewing.
• What is defined as a perfect fit for a crown? A crown should look and feel like a natural part of your mouth. You should not even notice your crown, and it should allow you the same bite force as your original, healthy teeth.
• What can be done to fix a crown that doesn’t fit? A crown can be reshaped or adjusted by a dental professional. If you believe your crown does not fit properly, contact your dentist as soon as possible.

At West County Dental, we provide personalized family dental care using state of the art procedures. Adhering to a standard of excellence, we provide comprehensive treatment, from preventive care to restorative dentistry. When you reserve a visit with West County Dental, you can be confident that our team of highly-trained dental professionals will provide you the care you need for a healthy smile. Call (314) 488-2921 or contact us through our website today!

How Soda Affects Your Teeth

Whether you call it soda, pop, cola, or coke, a soft drink is a cool, refreshing, delicious treat. Unfortunately, it’s also truly terrible for you. It’s full of empty calories and regular consumption can lead to conditions like obesity, osteoporosis, and diabetes. But here’s another distressing fact about soda: it’s terrible for your teeth.

Obviously, the sugar in soda is a major issue. Sugar feeds bacteria in your mouth, causing tooth decay. An environment full of bacteria allows plaque to build up, leading to gingivitis, cavities, and gum disease. But the sugar in soft drinks isn’t the only ingredient that is harmful to your oral health. Soda contains phosphoric acid, which is what makes it fizzy. Laboratory research has shown that this acid can erode tooth enamel. Once tooth enamel erodes, there’s no way to replace it. Soft drinks, juice, and sports drinks can all cause damage to the enamel.

You might think that drinking sugarless soft drinks will be less harmful. Sadly, this is not the case. Diet soda still contains acids, and still causes erosion and tooth decay. You can’t escape the damage by drinking light-colored soda, either. While light-colored soft drinks won’t stain as much as the darker beverages, they’ll still erode your enamel and cause cavities. In fact, some light-colored soft drinks contain flavor additives that aggressively attack the teeth.

What’s the solution to this problem? Do you have to give up your favorite fizzy treats for good? Maybe not. If you don’t want to completely forgo soft drinks, just have them in moderation and follow these tips to protect your enamel:

• Drink more water and rinse your mouth after drinking soda. Water will help prevent sugar from sticking to your teeth.
• Consider a fizzy water. If you miss the fizz of soda, try carbonated water.
• Use a straw to drink your soda, and drink quickly. You don’t want to allow soda to rest on your teeth. This is also a good reason not to drink soft drinks close to bedtime.
• Wait at least an hour after a soda to brush your teeth. Brushing too soon can further damage your enamel.
• Only drink soft drinks at mealtimes. The food will help reduce the effects of the acid by maintaining the mouth’s appropriate pH balance.
• See your dentist regularly. Having a cleaning and a checkup twice a year helps keep your teeth healthy. A dentist who gets a good look at your teeth on a regular basis will be able to alert you to signs of erosion or any other issues that may arise.

At West County Dental, we provide personalized family dental care using state of the art procedures. Adhering to a standard of excellence, we provide comprehensive treatment, from preventive care to restorative dentistry. When you reserve a visit with West County Dental, you can be confident that our team of highly-trained dental professionals will provide you the care you need for a healthy smile. Call (314) 488-2921 or contact us through our website today!