assignmentWhy should I do a regular check-up?
At the dental check-up your dentist will perform oral hygiene, x-rays and other procedures that might be necessary. At this appointment if a problem is discovered and if it is at an early stage you will be recommended some kind of treatment but if everything is fine you will be only recommended a new control in the future.
Dental caries or other early stage problems are usually asymptomatic. If treated quickly they are simple to solve and costs are reduced. When in a more advanced stage the treatments become much more complex and the costs increase from 8 to 80.
We recommend an annual check-up for most patients, and in other cases, especially for patients with implants, the frequency of appointments should be every 6 months or less.
Most patients who brush properly at home and do the check-ups can walk for years without the need of further treatment.
Dental caries or other early stage problems are usually asymptomatic. If treated quickly they are simple to solve and costs are reduced. When in a more advanced stage the treatments become much more complex and the costs increase from 8 to 80.
We recommend an annual check-up for most patients, and in other cases, especially for patients with implants, the frequency of appointments should be every 6 months or less.
Most patients who brush properly at home and do the check-ups can walk for years without the need of further treatment.
assignmentWhen we have implants, can we have teeth on the same day?
Yes. In 90% or more of the cases we can put the implants and teeth on the same day. However, contrary to what is widely advertised, these teeth are only temporary.
Temporary teeth help in the aesthetics, chewing and healing of the gums and supporting bone. Usually after the healing period of at least 4 to 6 months the final teeth will be made.
However, there are some particular situations where the implant is placed and it is not possible to place the tooth immediately. In these situations your doctor will do what is necessary to compensate for the impossibility of having an immediate tooth and this way finding another solution.
Temporary teeth help in the aesthetics, chewing and healing of the gums and supporting bone. Usually after the healing period of at least 4 to 6 months the final teeth will be made.
However, there are some particular situations where the implant is placed and it is not possible to place the tooth immediately. In these situations your doctor will do what is necessary to compensate for the impossibility of having an immediate tooth and this way finding another solution.
assignmentAre dental implants for life?
Dental implants are durable solutions if the treatment is properly performed by those who are properly qualified to do so, if implants of reputable brands are used and if the patient has good oral daily hygiene care and does the maintenance recommended by his dentist.
If everything is properly controlled, the success rate of the implants exceeds 95% according to credible scientific studies.
However, poor hygiene and tobacco lower this rate which can lead to the loss of an implant.
If everything is properly controlled, the success rate of the implants exceeds 95% according to credible scientific studies.
However, poor hygiene and tobacco lower this rate which can lead to the loss of an implant.
assignmentDental veneers: what they are and how long they last.
Veneers are made of ceramic. They are very thin layers that are glued to the tooth usually onto the most visible tooth surface.
They are mainly indicated for aesthetic reasons where the tooth is not too badly destroyed and where we want to be minimally invasive by not wearing down the dental structure.
They are also indicated to correct small teeth, to close spaces and to correct small dental rotations in patients who do not want orthodontics.
They are not recommended for badly destroyed teeth with big cavities or restorations on the inner surface of the tooth. In these cases it´s advisable to place total crowns that cover the tooth in its entirety.
These treatments are highly dependent on the experience of your dentist and the dental laboratory. The materials that are made of and the clinic bonding are highly complex steps. If they are not well carried out the aesthetics and the long-term reliability results will be poor.
In regards to their strength and durability if they are clearly marked and correctly executed veneers are as durable as total crowns and can last for decades.
They are mainly indicated for aesthetic reasons where the tooth is not too badly destroyed and where we want to be minimally invasive by not wearing down the dental structure.
They are also indicated to correct small teeth, to close spaces and to correct small dental rotations in patients who do not want orthodontics.
They are not recommended for badly destroyed teeth with big cavities or restorations on the inner surface of the tooth. In these cases it´s advisable to place total crowns that cover the tooth in its entirety.
These treatments are highly dependent on the experience of your dentist and the dental laboratory. The materials that are made of and the clinic bonding are highly complex steps. If they are not well carried out the aesthetics and the long-term reliability results will be poor.
In regards to their strength and durability if they are clearly marked and correctly executed veneers are as durable as total crowns and can last for decades.
assignmentWhat should I know about tooth whitening?
Dental whitening acts only on natural teeth by making them whiter.
It does not act on any artificial elements such as crowns, veneers or old restorations. Because of this all old fillings should be replaced with a matching shade. Because the natural teeth are whiter the old white fillings will appear darker than the rest.
The best results are achieved in the case of yellow teeth. The results are less effective in teeth with other shades.
Pregnant women and children should not have their teeth whitened. People with gum problems and untreated caries should not have their teeth whitened before solving the primary problem.
Excessive and repetitive tooth whitening causes damage to the teeth.
People with high dental sensitivity can suffer irritation and severe pain due to whitening however there is a way to overcome this in most of the cases.
It does not act on any artificial elements such as crowns, veneers or old restorations. Because of this all old fillings should be replaced with a matching shade. Because the natural teeth are whiter the old white fillings will appear darker than the rest.
The best results are achieved in the case of yellow teeth. The results are less effective in teeth with other shades.
Pregnant women and children should not have their teeth whitened. People with gum problems and untreated caries should not have their teeth whitened before solving the primary problem.
Excessive and repetitive tooth whitening causes damage to the teeth.
People with high dental sensitivity can suffer irritation and severe pain due to whitening however there is a way to overcome this in most of the cases.
assignmentHow does the toothpaste work?
The use of toothpaste during tooth brushing acts in different ways: The abrasive action removes solid particles from the oral cavity and also polishes the tooth surface.
The presence of antimicrobial agents like xylitol has an antiseptic effect by inhibiting the development of bacteria and preventing the appearance of caries.
The action of fluoride makes teeth stronger and more resistant to caries due to its remineralizing capacity.
The presence of antimicrobial agents like xylitol has an antiseptic effect by inhibiting the development of bacteria and preventing the appearance of caries.
The action of fluoride makes teeth stronger and more resistant to caries due to its remineralizing capacity.
assignmentHow bad does it hurt to wear braces?
The braces aren´t painful but they can cause some discomfort that gradually fades after 2 or 3 days.
After a short time the patient will feel that the appliance is part of him or herself and that does not interfere with speech or chewing and can therefore lead a normal life.
After a short time the patient will feel that the appliance is part of him or herself and that does not interfere with speech or chewing and can therefore lead a normal life.
assignmentHow long am I gonna wear braces?
The time will depend on the complexity of the case and the type of treatment to be carried out however in most cases the time frame is 2 years.
assignmentWhat are the effects of tobacco on dental health?
In addition to all other problems caused by tobacco, smoking causes:
Discoloration of teeth characterized by stains caused by nicotine and tartar. These stains are not easily removed with normal brushing.
Bad breath caused by the constituent elements of tobacco smoke. In addition tobacco smoke causes dry mouth which is the main cause of halitosis.
Increased incidence of dental caries.
Infection of the gums due to bacterial plaque. A recent study proves that smokers develop 4 times more gum problems than non-smokers.
Patients with dental implants should not smoke, as tobacco greatly increases the risk of periimplantites (infection around the implant) that leads to bone and gum loss and eventually the implant itself.
Discoloration of teeth characterized by stains caused by nicotine and tartar. These stains are not easily removed with normal brushing.
Bad breath caused by the constituent elements of tobacco smoke. In addition tobacco smoke causes dry mouth which is the main cause of halitosis.
Increased incidence of dental caries.
Infection of the gums due to bacterial plaque. A recent study proves that smokers develop 4 times more gum problems than non-smokers.
Patients with dental implants should not smoke, as tobacco greatly increases the risk of periimplantites (infection around the implant) that leads to bone and gum loss and eventually the implant itself.