Monticello Dental's Blog

Screening for oral cancer is critical to the early detection of abnormal tissue. Our office uses the latest technology to emit a special blue light on oral tissue which causes the tissue to fluoresce. This enhances areas that may be questionable and lead to a more detailed examination to determine if any abnormalities are present. The oral cancer screening is painless and very cost effective for detecting cancer in its early stages. If you would like to schedule an appointment, call us today at our O'Fallon MO dental office at 636-300-4280.

As the end of the year approaches, we'd like to remind you that if you haven't used your dental benefits to the max, now is the time to schedule your appointment. Our dentist in Ofallon MO offers all of the standard dental procedures plus more - the Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique, dental implants, and fluorescent oral cancer screenings to name just a few procedures. If you are unsure of how your dental benefits work, give us a call and we will be happy to help you through it.

Six Month Smiles - Straight Teeth in About 6 Months

The pinhole surgical technique (PST) is a new procedure for repairing gum recession. PST is usually less invasive and, in most cases, requires less healing time than conventional gum grafting. Visit our website here for more information including photos of this new procedure. Dr. Dejtiranukul, dentist in Ofallon MO, is currently one of only a few dentists who perform the pinhole surgical technique in the St. Louis area.

Pinhole Video

If you have been told that you snore and/or stop breathing during sleep, you may have sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can be a serious condition, and studies indicate that there is a correlation between sleep apnea and hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and congestive heart failure. If you suspect that you have sleep apnea, talk to your doctor or dentist about your symptoms. Very often, sleep apnea is treatable with CPAP Therapy through your physician or Oral Appliance Therapy through a dentist who has had advanced training in sleep medicine.

Health Concerns for Alternative to Smoking

There are many alternatives to smoking traditional tobacco these days. The most popular include e-cigs, smokeless tobacco, hookahs, and dissolving products. Many of these products are perceived as safe; however, the long-term effects of these products are still unknown. It will take a few more years before more accurate information can be made available. For more information on smokeless tobacco products, including a list of those products, please visit ADA Mouth Healthy. 

Green Tea Linked to Dental Health 

The month of February is dedicated to educating children on the benefits of practicing good oral hygiene. And, even though February has passed, there are currently still many resources available online including posters, games, puzzles, and coloring pages. Visit the American Dental Association website for free downloads and additional information.

One of the best decisions you can make for your child if they play sports is to invest in a well-fitted mouthguard. Wearing a proper mouthguard will help to avoid unnecessary injury to your child’s teeth, jaw, and lips. Although ready-made guards are less expensive, having a custom-made guard from your dentist is a better choice. A custom guard provides flexibility and lasts longer, is more comfortable, simple to clean, and allows for clearer speech and breathing. Remember, when it comes to sporting activities, making a custom mouthguard part of your sports gear is a must.

Dental benefits typically have a yearly maximum that will be paid out, and for most patients who have dental insurance, a new year means that new benefits are available to use. So, if you have been putting off treatment because you no longer had benefits to cover your appointments, now may be the time to schedule your next visit to the dentist. If you would like to schedule an appointment, but are unsure of your dental benefits, we would be happy to assist you - just give us a call.