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  • Essential Information About Root Canals

    root canals St. Louis

    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!

  • Taking Your Child to the Dentist

    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.

  • Answers to Your Questions About Laser Dentistry

    About Laser Dentistry

    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.