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  • 4 Ways Technology Has Improved Your Visit to the Dentist

    A dentist appointment may not be your idea of a good time, but taking care of your teeth is your number one ticket to lifelong oral health. Fortunately, dental visits are not what they used to be! Technology has revolutionized the face of dentistry as we know it by helping St. Louis dentists find new ways to reduce tooth pain and create faster, safer, and more comfortable dental procedures. From crowns in a day to laser dentistry, here are 4 ways technology is taking the fear out of going to the dentist:

    No more pain!

    If your fear of the dentist chair has prevented you from dealing with your tooth pain, then your day has come! Laser dentistry is virtually painless and can be used in a wide variety of dental procedures. The Solea system, for example, is a CO 2 dental laser that uses a unique wavelength guided by sophisticated computers to work on both hard and soft tissues. The resulting procedure is blood-free and anesthesia-free, and there are no needles, scary-looking drills, or bone-chilling noises. Best of all, you can go right back to work without the lingering numbing affects that often cause embarrassing drooling and slurred speech.

    Instant results

    In the past, those suffering from damaged, broken, or missing teeth needed numerous trips to the dentist, countless injections, and days or months spent recovering between procedures in order to achieve the results they were after. However, the latest advances in 3D imaging and crown printing have made effective same day dental procedures a reality. Using CAD-CAM (Computer Aided Design-Computer Aided Manufacturing) technology, a non-invasive 3D scanner captures an image of your damaged teeth and an on-site milling device prints a perfect match within minutes. No temporary crowns, no messy impressions, and more of your natural tooth saved, all thanks to technology.

    Interactive treatments at West County Dental

    Faster, safer diagnoses

    X-rays have always been an essential tool for diagnosing conditions of your teeth and gums, but traditional x-rays take time to create and expose patients to dangerous radiation. Modern digital X-rays have streamlined the diagnostic process. Since they immediately appear on computer screens, they can be digitally transferred to allow for faster communication between dentist and patient or enhanced for a more accurate diagnosis. Digital x-rays also provide greater comfort than traditional x-rays and reduce radiation exposure by 80-90%.

    Interactive treatments

    Have you always wondered exactly what the dentist sees when they look in your mouth? Well, now you can see for yourself with an intra-oral camera. This small device allows you to view the inside of your mouth in real time, giving the dentist an opportunity to further examine causes of tooth pain and discuss with you recommended dental procedures. The camera is also a great tool for pointing out where to focus on brushing, which allows you to maximize your dental hygiene routine.

    When it comes to cutting-edge technology and effective dental procedures, the experienced team at West County Dental is the best in St. Louis, MO. We always stay ahead of the latest tools and techniques to bring you specialized dental care and fast, comfortable results.

  • “Same Day” Dental Procedures – How do they work?

    Can I Get My Teeth Fixed in One Day?

    The answer is a resounding “Yes!” with the newest advances in cutting-edge dentistry! Overhauling your smile in just one appointment is easier than you think, especially when your dentist utilizes the latest techniques and equipment. During the initial consultation, a dentist will examine your teeth and get a full understanding of what you would like to achieve. For dental procedures involving crowns and veneers, the dentist will remove a thin layer from the existing tooth before using a revolutionary 3D scanner to take an accurate photo. No messy, uncomfortable impressions here! Once the image is captured, an on-site milling device gets straight to work. This crown printing CAD-CAM technology creates a perfect model of your tooth using color-matching ceramic materials. When the crown or veneer is complete, the dentist simply places it on the existing tooth and off you go!

    Restoring damaged teeth with same-day crowns and veneers

    Does this describe you? Every time you look in the mirror, you’re disappointed in the appearance of your teeth, and although you know there are dental procedures out there that will help improve your smile, you worry about the time, cost and discomfort involved. You only have so many sick days and flu season is right around the corner, so “same day” dental procedures sound promising – but can you really receive high-quality dental implants without uncomfortable impressions, temporary fixes, and return dental visits? Yes! You can.

    Dental Filling or Bonding

    Utilizing CAD-CAM (Computer-Aided Design-Computer Aided Manufacturing) technology, West County Dental can make everything from crowns and dental implants to full or partial dentures all in one day.

    Replacing broken or missing teeth with same-day dental implants

    What better way to boost your self-confidence than by filling out your smile with perfect, natural-looking dentures or dental implants??

    Traditional dental implant procedures require months between visits and multiple recovery periods, but with the advanced technology of a high-tech family dental office, you can have everything done in one session! Using 3D digital imaging and the latest surgical techniques, a dentist can place the dental implants and securely attach new prosthetic teeth right there in the office.

    With just one short recovery period and instant results, this permanent and effective solution will surely give you something to smile about.

    What are you waiting for?

    A fast, easy, and affordable solution for achieving the smile you’ve always wanted is possible with same day crowns, dentures, and dental services. All you need is an experienced family dental team like West County Dental to create perfect, natural-looking teeth in a single visit with the most advanced 3D scanning and crown printing technologies available. To see if you are a good candidate for same-day dental implants or to find out more information about same day crowns, contact Dr. Pete Spalitto and the West County Dental team.