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  • 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!

  • What Are Same Day Crowns?

    Same Day Crowns

    Fitting dental procedures into your daily life can seem like a hassle. Fortunately, your dentist in St. Louis , Dr. Spalitto, is able to provide a same day crown procedure at his family dentistry office. If you have a busy schedule and need dental work, read on to learn about same day crowns.

    Often times, getting a new crown can take multiple visits to your dentist. Fortunately, Dr. Spalitto uses advanced dental technology to provide you with a new crown or veneer in one visit. Using a 3-D camera of your existing tooth, Dr. Spalitto is able to use computer-assisted design and computer assisted milling, also known as CAD-CAM, to create a new crown or veneer in the office. After the creation of the crown or veneer, it will be fixed into place. In a single session you can be done with your family dentistry visit and back to your normal life with a beautiful, healthy smile.

    One happy customer found West Count Dental online and was in need of a crown. The team was able to get her in the very next day, and do a root canal and crown within the same day! She lived over 70 miles away, and the convenience of a same day crown made it worth her drive. If you are in the St. Louis area, and you need a root canal or a crown, don’t hesitate to experience the technology Dr. Spalitto has for same-day procedures.

  • A Patient’s Guide to Porcelain Dental Veneers

    Porcelain Dental Veneers A Patient’s Guide to Porcelain Dental Veneers

    Thanks to advancements in tooth restoration technology, dental porcelain can be sculpted to closely replicate the look and feel of natural tooth enamel, while providing the strength and resilience of natural tooth enamel. Porcelain veneers are ideal for individuals looking to make slight position alterations, or those who wish to change the shape, size, and/or color of their teeth. And while porcelain dental veneers are technically considered a cosmetic treatment, they can also make it easier and more comfortable to chew food. If you are considering veneers, this guide will tell you what you need to know.

    Bonding Veneers to Teeth
    The bond is the most important aspect of a veneer. To apply a veneer, your dentist will remove a very small amount of the original tooth, usually less than a millimeter. This not only creates room for the veneer to fit within the mouth but also ensures accurate tooth function and placement. Light-sensitive resin is placed between the original tooth and the veneer and hardened using a special curing light.

    Caring for Porcelain Veneers
    The good news about porcelain veneers is that they are quite simple to maintain—you simply treat them as you would your original teeth, with routine brushing, flossing, and visits to your St. Louis dentist. Your dentist may recommend non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste to keep your porcelain veneers looking like new. And if you have a habit of grinding or clenching your teeth at night, your dentist may fit you with a nighttime bite guard to avoid damaging your veneers .

    Pros and Cons of Porcelain Veneers
    There are alternatives to porcelain veneers, so it helps to know the pros and cons before you have them applied. One major benefit of porcelain veneers is that they look and feel identical to natural teeth. Custom-made veneers also resist coffee and tea stains and cigarette smoke. On the downside, a veneer is not considered a reversible treatment, as a portion of the original tooth must be reduced prior to application. Porcelain veneers are also brittle and should not be used to chew on ice, bite fingernails, or open bottles with.

  • The Benefits of Same Day Crowns

    Benefits of Same Day Crowns The Benefits of Same Day Crowns

    Getting crowns used to be an expensive and time-consuming endeavor. Fortunately, advancements in tooth restoration technology make it possible for your St. Louis dentist to design, build, and place custom restorative devices in a single visit using color-matching ceramic.

    There are numerous benefits of receiving same-day crowns . One advantage of this approach is that there is no need for temporary restoration and that there are fewer injections and less discomfort overall. Same-day crowns are completed in a single dental visit, which means you can spare the time and inconvenience of scheduling multiple appointments. Another advantage of same-day crowns is that more natural tooth is saved, which can improve long-term oral health.

  • Tips for Choosing a Dentist

    Tips for Choosing a Dentist Tips for Choosing a Dentist

    There are a lot of dentists to choose from in St. Louis, but some are better than others. You should take every precaution to ensure that your dentist is experienced, professional, and able to perform the services you and your family need. Whether you need a cosmetic dentist for teeth whitening, an oral surgeon to perform a dental implant, or you simply need a checkup, these tips will help you find a dentist you can trust in St. Louis .

    Ask Around for Recommendations
    You trust your friends, family, and neighbors when they make recommendations about which movies to see and which new restaurants to check out, so why not ask them for a dentist recommendation? Even if your friends and family don’t have any dentists to recommend in the St. Louis area, they will almost always tell you which dentists to avoid.

    Look for a “Full-Service” Dental Practice
    There are a lot of “specialized” dental practices in St. Louis, especially of the cosmetic variety. You could drive all around town to different practices, or you could find a dentist that offers all the services you need. West County Dental, for example, provides everything from teeth whitening and Invisalign to oral surgery and dental implants. Once you build a relationship with your dentist, you will be happy that you don’t need to go anywhere else to undergo a special treatment.

    We Accept Most Dental Insurance
    Most traditional insurance plans (sometimes called “indemnity plans”) allow you to choose any dentist you desire. Other plans list specific dentists in your network. If your plan does not allow you to choose your own dentist , make sure the dentist is covered by your insurance policy. And remember that dental insurance doesn’t typically cover 100% of the cost associated with major dental services, so look for a dentist that offers no interest and extended payment plans.

  • West County Dental Patient Review

    See what patients have today about West County Dental in this 5- star Healthgrades review!