Convenient Access from University City
Maybe your last dental visit was years ago, and just picturing the chair still makes your stomach tighten. That fear keeps a lot of people from looking for a dentist in University City, MO at all. Metro West Dental and Implant Institute, a periodontist-led practice in Creve Coeur, offers oral conscious sedation for patients who need help staying relaxed. The office is roughly 19 minutes away by car.
Leaving University City City Hall at 6801 Delmar Boulevard, take Trinity Ave to the Delmar roundabout and head west on Delmar. Turn south on N Big Bend Blvd, follow it to I-64/US 40, and drive west to I-270. One exit north brings you to Ladue Rd; turn right, then left on N New Ballas Rd to reach 443 N New Ballas Rd Ste 244, Creve Coeur, MO 63141. All told, it is about 11 miles.
The municipal Creve Coeur Golf Course lies about half a mile from our building, and Google Maps shows the exact building. Rush hour on I-64 can add a few minutes. Residents of nearby Clayton and Richmond Heights reach us along the same interstate.
Calm, Unrushed Care for Nervous University City Patients
Dental anxiety is common, and it is nothing to be embarrassed about. For some people it comes from a painful experience long ago, and for others it is a strong gag reflex or sensitive teeth. Whatever the cause, avoiding care usually turns small problems into bigger ones. Metro West plans around that fear instead of asking you to push through it.
With oral conscious sedation, you take a prescribed sedative about an hour before your appointment. You stay conscious and able to respond to the team, yet most patients feel deeply relaxed and remember little of the visit afterward. Before any sedation appointment, the office reviews your medical history and current medications to confirm it is a safe choice for you.
Because the sedative is still working when treatment ends, a responsible adult must drive you to and from the office. A partner, friend or adult child can handle the trip west on I-64 for you. Plan to rest for the rest of the day, since the effects fade gradually.
Smaller details help too. Appointment length is tailored to what each patient can comfortably handle, and digital scans from a Medit i500 intraoral scanner replace the trays of impression putty that bother many people with a sensitive gag reflex.
If a full exam feels like too much as a first step, new patients can book the $49 Emergency Exam & X-Ray for one problem area. It is a focused visit with a single x-ray, and it lets you meet Dr. Shabany before deciding on anything larger. His philosophy rules out over-selling and hype, which matters when you are already uneasy about being in the chair.
What University City Residents Should Know About Returning to Care
University City is one of the older St. Louis suburbs, named for nearby Washington University and full of historic architecture in its southern streetcar neighborhoods. The city holds the Delmar Loop, Heman Park and a mix of long-time homeowners, students and university staff. Anyone who has stayed away from the dentist for years often faces a mix of worn teeth, gum disease and missing teeth all at once.
The city was incorporated in 1906, and City Hall still occupies the octagonal 1903 Magazine Building on Delmar, close to the Lion Gates. University City belongs to St. Louis County, with Olivette and Ladue among its neighbors. Interstate 170 and Olive Blvd cross the city, and the MetroLink Blue Line stops at the University City-Big Bend station on its southern edge.
That situation calls for a plan, not a string of emergency patches. Dr. Shabany looks at the gums, bone and bite together, then lays out a coordinated sequence. CBCT 3D imaging shows the bone in detail, and the office prints implant surgical guides on its SprintRay PRO 3D printer to support precise placement.
For patients who want to keep the number of visits low, Same-Day Dental Implants are available to carefully selected candidates. Oral sedation can be paired with longer procedures such as full-mouth rehabilitation, multiple extractions or comprehensive periodontal treatment.
A first visit after a long gap is also a good time for an oral cancer screening. It is a quick part of a thorough exam, and it gives you peace of mind along with a clear picture of where your teeth and gums stand.
Sedation-Friendly Treatment When You Need a Dentist in University City, MO
Oral Sedation
A prescribed sedative taken before your visit helps you relax while staying conscious and responsive. It suits University City patients with dental fear, a strong gag reflex or a long procedure ahead.
Full-Mouth Rehabilitation
When years away from the dentist have left many teeth in trouble, a full-mouth plan restores them in an organized order. Each stage builds on a healthy gum and bone foundation.
Dental Implants
Single implants and All-on-X full-arch options replace missing teeth with fixed results. CBCT scans and 3D-printed guides help Dr. Shabany plan each implant around your anatomy.
Preventative Dentistry
Once your mouth is healthy again, regular cleanings and exams help keep it that way. CariVu early decay detection and digital x-rays catch problems early, so future treatment can stay small.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Whitening, porcelain veneers and smile makeovers can follow once the foundation is solid. A brighter, more even smile can be the final step of a longer plan.
Meet Dr. Shabany
Dr. Khaled Shabany, DMD, MS, received his dental degree from the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine before training as a periodontist. He is a member of the American Academy of Periodontology, the American Dental Association, the Missouri Dental Association and the Greater St. Louis Dental Society.
Insurance & Financing
Bring your insurance information, and the office will file claims with your provider for you. Patients without coverage can join the Metro West Dental Savings Plan instead, though it cannot be combined with insurance. Flexible financing covers costs that fall outside either option.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Metro West Dental and Implant Institute from University City, and how do I get there?
From University City City Hall it is about 11 miles, close to a 19-minute drive. Head west on Delmar Blvd, south on N Big Bend Blvd to I-64/US 40 west, then north on I-270 to the Ladue Rd exit. Patients seeking a dentist in University City, MO who offers sedation then turn left on N New Ballas Rd to our office.
Will I be awake during oral conscious sedation?
Yes, you remain conscious and able to respond throughout the appointment. The prescribed sedative, taken about an hour beforehand, lowers anxiety and makes time seem to pass quickly. Most patients keep little clear memory of the procedure, which many people who once avoided the dentist find reassuring.
Who should drive me home to University City after a sedation visit?
A responsible adult needs to drive you both ways, because driving after oral sedation is not safe. A partner, friend or family member can make the trip along I-64 with you. Most patients feel fully recovered by the following morning, so plan a quiet rest of the day.
Which road connects University City to I-64 on the way to the office?
N Big Bend Blvd makes that connection. From City Hall and the Delmar Loop area, you head west on Delmar Blvd, then turn south on Big Bend and follow it down to the I-64/US 40 ramps. From there the trip is highway driving west to I-270 and one exit north.
Is Metro West an option for families in the School District of University City?
Yes, parents and children alike are welcome. Families without insurance can join the savings plan, which costs $399 per year for each child under 15 and $499 for each adult. Visits run Monday through Thursday, 8:30 AM to 5 PM, so an appointment after the school day can work for many households.
Schedule Your Visit from University City
Dental fear does not have to decide your care. If you have been putting off the search for a dentist in University City, MO because of anxiety, Metro West can talk you through sedation before you commit to anything. Call 314-237-3281 to start the conversation. You can also see every community we serve on our areas we serve page or visit our Dentist Creve Coeur, MO homepage.