The fear and the anxiety of visiting a dentist, will no longer stop you to take care of your health – we offer you a chance all procedures to be performed under general anesthesia.
The procedure is pain-free since it is conducted under local anesthesia. Placing an implant without a surgical operationtakes 10 minutes, and with a surgical protocol – 20-30 minutes. The work protocol is determined by the treating doctor taking into account the defect, the anatomic circumstances, etc. Usually, prostheses (i.e. crowns or bridges) are placed after a period of 3-4 months.
Contemporary implants are made of bio-inert materials, i.e., materials that do not cause a reaction by the human body. In spite of that, cases of rejection have been observed but they are extremely rare, and result from other causes, most often the patients’ bad hygiene.
Dental implants are made of titanium and zirconium, elements which have been proven to be biologically compatible with the human body and safe for use. They are never rejected by the human body, and have never been reported to cause cancer or any other life-threatening condition.
The procedure has been perfected, and has a 90-95% success rate. Some implants have been observed for more than 30 years. Of course, preventive maintenance is necessary from time to time. The success rate of dental implants is believed to be higher than the success rates of other treatments such as the root canal treatment.
You could be too young for having dental implants placed but age in itself is not an obstacle. Your health condition is the criteria that matters, and Dr. Gais will determine whether you are a suitable candidate for this procedure.
In any case all patients leave the clinic either with permanent, or with temporary prostheses.
Why fill the gaps of your missing teeth?
- Teeth are a crucial part of the digestive system since they are necessary for the chewing of food.
- They play a role in speech
- They are also an important part of a person’s appearance
- Last but not least, implants prevent the opening of spaces between teeth in case you lose a tooth
What are their advantages compared with conventional alternatives?
The conventional methods for replacing missing teeth are bridges and prostheses.
A dental bridge is used for replacing missing teeth, maintaining the form of the face, and easing pressure from chewing. It is cemented to the adjacent teeth in order to achieve stability which depends on the supporting teeth, gums, and bone. The supporting teeth are exposed to stress and a substantially greater work load, which can be a hazard for their health. Bridges can be placed only if the adjacent teeth are sufficiently strong.
Prostheses are teeth attached to a plastic or metal slab which can often be uncomfortable because they have to be taken down every day for cleaning. If the shape of the gum and bone are not suitable, the prostheses cannot be attached steadily, which creates discomfort for the patient.
Even though bridges and prostheses are satisfactory replacements, dental implants provide:
- A better foundation which usually leads to more comfortable and stable replacement teeth
- Improved chewing efficiency, and fixed permanent teeth without having to sacrifice the adjacent teeth as a foundation.
- No need to remove them and clean them every day
- Slowing down the contraction of the jaw which results from the loss of teeth
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a new approach to tissue regeneration and it is becoming a valuable adjunct to promote healing in many procedures in dental and oral surgery, especially in aging patients. PRP derives from the centrifugation of the patient’s own blood and it contains growth factors that influence wound healing, thereby playing an important role in tissue repairing mechanisms. The use of PRP in surgical practice could have beneficial outcomes, reducing bleeding and enhancing soft tissue healing and bone regeneration.
- Zirconium implants are definitely more aesthetic.
- They are the only option for allergic patients.
- They guarantee great long-term stability.
- A number of histological studies have categorically established zirconium as the material with the greatest biocompatibility (it creates a strong implant-bone connection without an inflammation or reaction on part of the body rejecting the foreign object).
- Zirconium has excellent elasticity which means that it is less fragile, and it is harder to deform it.
- Zirconium implants are very gentle to soft tissue.
- Zirconium implants are not suitable for the chewing teeth (molars) but are definitely a good solution for the front teeth.
The future aesthetic design, or the WAX-UP, is created in a laboratory and its production takes a week. It is a model made of special hard plaster cast from the tooth imprint on which the future teeth are made. They are produced of wax, and have a perfect shape and size in accordance with all rules for an aesthetic smile.
The wax-up model allows the dental team to avoid many mistakes because it is an imprint of the patient’s prosthetic field on which the perfect parameters of the future teeth have been transposed. This preparatory stage is obligatory and of great importance because it is necessary for the clinician to determine the existing deviations from the norm, and to take preliminary measurements. Only after the characteristics and complexity of the clinical case are clear may a treatment plan be designed.
Together with the smile project, the laboratory produces transparent plastic splints which are like a photographic negative of the future teeth serving as a reference point for the preparation. The laboratory also produces a silicone key from which the temporary teeth are made on the spot in the dental office. The wax-up model gives the patient an opportunity to see the future teeth in advance since they will literally be holding in their hands the smile that they have always dreamed of.
Corrections can be made during the temporary teeth stage at the patient’s request. After that another imprint is made with the desired changes, and the ceramic restorations are prepared in the laboratory.
Veneers are a means for creating and correcting a smile. The difference from the purely ceramic crowns is in the way of preparation. The preparation for veneers is minimal or none at all. Veneers are placed only on the front of the teeth while crowns cover the entire tooth. The choice of veneers or crowns is made by the dentist based on strict indications.
It takes 10 working days to create the ceramic constructions after the smile project and the preparation of the teeth are ready. The patients have the opportunity to leave the clinic with their new smile as soon as we prepare the teeth. However, it will be temporary (made of a photo-polymer material). During this period, the patient can get used to the new situation and the new form of their teeth, and corrections can be made at their request during the stage of the temporary teeth.
Causes of Teeth Darkening
- Aging
- Drinking coloring drinks such as coffee, coke, wine; tobacco smoking
- Tooth traumas
- Heredity
- Use of antibiotics such as tetracycline
- An excessive amount of fluoride
- Inflammations
- Consequences from earlier treatments
Whitening Methods
Teeth can be whitened professionally once a year; it is not advisable to have them whitened more often than that. Latest research shows that the use of home whitening systems as well as whitening toothpastes is much more dangerous for tooth enamel. One of the reasons for that is the lack of control by a professional, and the prolonged exposure of tooth tissue to the whitening agents. The procedure in the dentist’s office takes between 15 and 60 minutes depending on the selected whitening method.
Are there negative consequences for the teeth after the whitening?
Whitening does not have any negative or destructive effect on tooth tissue. Tooth enamel is not changed, there is no demineralization, and no mineral substances are extracted from the teeth. Hydrogen peroxide has been used for more than 50 years in dentistry for tooth whitening, and so far no long-term negative effects on the teeth have been established. Not only that – whitening is the safest procedure in the ranking of cosmetic manipulations.
During the whitening process some people become more sensitive to cold, while others become more sensitive with respective to their gums and teeth. The symptoms usually last 1-3 days after the procedure has been completed or terminated.
There is a myth that teeth get colored faster after they have been whitened. There is no way that this can occur; in fact, the opposite is true – teeth keep getting whiter for up to three days after the procedure since the active substance has a lasting whitening effect. It is recommended that the consumption of foods with sour pH – such as fruit and juices, apples, as well as large amounts of sugar (or sugary foods) – should be avoided for 7-10 days after the procedure because in the mouth pH dissolves to organic acids. “Color” foods and drinks such as coffee, tea, chocolate, red wine, ketchup, cherries, etc. must also be avoided. It is recommended that the patient should not smoke. The mouthwash must contain chlorhexidine. The use of a whitening toothpaste must be avoided, especially after the procedure. After the whitening procedure in the dental office, it is recommended that your toothpaste should contain a larger quantity of fluorine.
- Avoid color drinks and food for 10 days after the procedure (coffee, tea, coke, chocolate, wine, ketchup, red beets, carrots, etc.)
- If you drink coffee, add milk and drink it with a straw
- Do not smoke
- In case of pain or sensitiveness do not consume very cold or very hot foods and beverages, or citrus fruits
- Replace your mouthwash with one that contains chlorhexidine
- Do not use a whitening toothpaste after the procedure in the dental office
- Use a toothpaste that contains fluorine
The accumulation of tartar is an individual process depending on many factors, from genetic predisposition to the food a person consumes.
Formation
Tartar forms most often under the back surface of the lower incisors and on the front surface of the upper molars. Tartar formation occurs in two stages: accumulation of deposits on the tooth necks consisting of mucin, cells shed off from the mucous membrane of the mouth, food remnants, and microorganisms. This deposit accrues where teeth do not participate actively in the chewing process. Impregnation of the soft deposit with calcium salts contained in saliva.
Methods of Protection
Protection from tartar boils down to regular care for the entire oral cavity – regular brushing, and creating a habit of proper chewing, i.e. the use of all teeth when chewing. The latter helps for the natural cleaning of the deposits on the teeth during eating – the food rubs onto the cheeks, tongue, and teeth. This natural self-cleaning of the tooth and gum surfaces is observed only with the consumption of unprocessed, unrefined hard natural foods such as fruit, vegetables, nuts, etc. Conversely, sweets, candy, cookies as well as cooked, refined, and processed foods enable their weakening and infecting.
The uncleaned tartar may cause gum inflammation leading to periodontitis.
It is recommended that regular visits to the dentist should be made once every 6 months.
Bad breath (halitosis) may be caused by a number of factors but it always leads to difficulty with social contacts. It is often the cause of low self-esteem, lack of confidence, and self-isolation. It is no secret that bad breath might spoil one’s relations with other people and turn into a serious obstacle for both successful work and personal life. Most people form their opinions based on their first impression, and it is very hard to change them after that.
The problem with bad breath starts with the fact that while a person reacts to the smells of the other people, they are sometimes unable to sense their own smell no matter how unpleasant it might be.
How can you check alone if you have a bad breath?
Option 1
- Take a dry clean piece of cloth or gauze without a smell
- Pull your tongue out with one hand and rub it with the gauze for 5 seconds
- Wait for 30 seconds and smell it – if it smells bad, then you have halitosis
Option 2
- Take a piece of non-waxed dental floss and run it between the last teeth on the upper and lower jaw (2-3 places are enough)
- Wait for 30 seconds
- Smell the floss – if it smells, then you have halitosis
Option 3
- Lick the palm of your hand and wait for about 5 seconds; allow the saliva to dry out and then smell the palm
- That way you can smell the end product coming out of your mouth
What is bad breath a symptom of?
Bad breath is often a symptom of some serious disease of the kidneys, lungs, or diabetes. Sometimes it results from hormonal changes, bad nutritional routine, or consumption of certain types of food. Alcohol abuse can also be the cause of unpleasant smell. Cigarette smoking always causes bad breath. However, in 85-90% of the cases halitosis is caused by problems in the oral cavity. That is why you first need to see a dentist. A good dentist will find the cause of bad breath immediately, and will take care of it, or, if necessary, will direct you to the respective specialist.
As a rule, bad breath is accompanied by diseases of the gums, inter-dental pockets, cavities, deposits on the teeth, and tartar. Sometimes the causes have to do with bad dental prostheses and substances causing dryness of the mucosa: alcohol, nicotine, or some medicines.
Food remnants get stuck and accumulate in the inter-dental pockets causing decay accompanied with pain, smell, and inflammation. These pockets cannot be cleaned on one’s own, and that is why a dentist who can carry out the necessary treatment should be seen.
Sometimes halitosis disappears after the removal of tartar, which is an accumulation of pathogenic bacteria. Deodorant means such as a chewing gum and mouth spray only mask the problem blunting the unpleasant breath for a while.
Sources of Bad Breath
The most common “source” of bad breath is the tongue. It is an “incubator” of bad breath. It is covered with a layer of anaerobic bacteria which usually reside among the tongue papilla (not on its surface) where there is no oxygen, and in case of bad oral hygiene this layer contributes to bad breath. There are about 400 species of bacteria living in the human mouth some of which can lead to diseases. It must be noted that it is impossible to remove all bacteria from the mouth, and nor is that necessary. In some people, as a result of hereditary factors, hormonal imbalances, usage of sulfur products, there is an imbalance of oral flora. Cavities, pulpitis, gangrene, badly placed crowns and bridges may cause the retention of food remnants which under the influence of microorganisms can produce foul smelling products.
Halitosis Symptoms
- Bad taste and/or sour, bitter metallic taste. It results from the sulfur products produced by the anaerobic bacteria.
- White or yellow tongue deposits. They are made up of a mixture of sulfur products and thick saliva, and sometimes with food, coffee, or tea particles.
- Bad smell when breathing through the nose. It is interesting that this smell coming from the tip of the tongue and the end of the nasal area can be sensed by the person with halitosis but it can hardly ever be sensed if it comes from the oral cavity.
Prevention
Most of the prevention of halitosis is in the hands of the patients themselves because it is first and foremost connected with the maintenance of good oral hygiene (toothpastes, dental floss, mouthwash), and a good cleaning of the tongue with proper devices; regular dental checkups in order to avoid more serious problems, and professional hygiene checkups every 6 months. It is also important to keep a certain nutritional diet, and reduce the consumption of coffee and high protein products, to limit the intake of medicines, and to drink lots of fluids. 100% efficiency in protecting teeth from cavities.
Dental sealants may be recommended to help protect a child’s teeth from decay.
The sealant is a thin, liquid plastic coating painted on the chewing surfaces of teeth, usually the back teeth – the premolars and molars.
The sealant dries into a hard shield protecting the grooves and fissures in the teeth from attracting bacteria that leads to tooth decay.
Most periodontal diseases (periodontists and gingivitis) are caused by a bacterial infection in the dental plaque, which damages directly or indirectly the tissues of the periodontal. All other factors for periodontal diseases are deemed to be of secondary importance. These include:
1. Smoking
2. Diabetes
3. Cardiovascular diseases
4. Hormonal imbalance
5. Stress
6. Genetic factors
7. Viral infection etc.
Only rarely does a bacterial infection appear to be a secondary factor. In most cases, it is the main and primary cause of periodontal disease. This leads to the conclusion that professional cleaning and polishing is the best and most effective method for the treatment of periodontal diseases. The mechanical destruction of accumulated depositions of bacteria prevents the infection from deteriorating.
A review of 42 trials has shown that in most cases manual toothbrushes remove as much plaque as their expensive electronic counterparts, and protect just as well against inflamed gums. In fact, the only type of electric toothbrush more effective than a manual brush is that with a rotating-oscillating head.
You can help to keep your teeth white by cutting down on the amount of food and drinks you have that can stain teeth. Don’t forget, stopping smoking can also help prevent discolouration and staining.
We recommend the following tips to take care of your teeth:
- Brush your teeth last thing at night and at least one other time during the day, with a fluoride toothpaste
- Cut down on how often you have sugary foods and drinks
- visit your dental team regularly, as often as they recommend
It is never too late as long as the conditions are right. This is decided after an orthodontic analysis but age is not a factor.
The duration of orthodontic treatment varies depending on the patient’s deformation. The duration, way of treatment, and all other questions that interest the patients are specified after the orthodontic analysis which is made on the basis models, photographs, and X-ray.
With the accumulation of dentine, a sterile and hermetically sealed space containing a lot of stem cells gets formed in the pulp. The tooth pulp is formed in the embryonic stage of the organism’s development, which is why the stems are young and carry the original DNA. It has been proven that the pulp of a single deciduous tooth contains between 1,000 and 10,000 stem cells that can be isolated, multiplied through cell cultures, and be implanted in a damaged zone giving the start of a new tissue.
It is planned, fast, and pain-free. With deciduous teeth, the extraction of stem cells is made at an age of between 5 and 13 years by a trained dentist in sterile conditions. Frontal slightly shaking teeth with a maximum preserved root are the most suitable for this procedure. The extracted tooth is placed in a special environment, and is transported as soon as possible to the BIOHELLENICA laboratory. With permanent teeth there is no age limit. The only condition is for the tooth to meet the above-mentioned criteria. The isolated stem cells are preserved for a period of 20 years in the conditions of liquid nitrogen at -196 degrees Celsius under which they preserve their viability and can be multiplied, and used for future treatment.
In recent years, tooth whitening is an extremely popular procedure. Very rarely there might be tooth sensitivity after whitening. This condition usually subsides in a day or two. If your teeth become sensitive, there are several things you can do in order to reduce the unpleasant sensation and enjoy your beautiful smile without pain.
What do you need?
- A soothing toothpaste, gel or mouth wash
- A soft toothbrush
- A fluoride treatment
Instructions
- Ask your dentist about the ways in which you can reduce the sensitivity of your teeth after their whitening.
- Generally, it is recommended that you should use a professional toothpaste reducing sensitivity which can be applied directly on the teeth in one visit to the dentist.
- Try some of the various options – a gel, mouthwash, or toothpaste. These products use light anesthetics in order to blunt the sensitivity of tooth enamel after the use of tooth whitening products.
- Use a soft toothbrush after whitening
- Avoid using water that is hot or too cold because this can easily cause pain
- Use products containing fluoride which can strengthen the outer layer of the enamel and reduce pain. For additional protection make sure that the toothpaste or mouthwash you use contain fluoride.
Recommendations and warnings
- Always discuss increased tooth sensitivity with your dentist before going ahead with treatment at home with a medicamentous paste, gel or mouthwash.
- Increased sensitivity may be caused by another dental problem not connected with tooth whitening such as recession of gums or cavity
Bruxism is a term signifying the unconscious gritting of one’s teeth which can occur both during the day, and at night during sleep. Bruxism is considered one of the harmful habits affecting both adults and children.
What are the symptoms of bruxism?
Patients with bruxism usually complain of frequent headaches, neck pain, shoulder pain, and sometimes pain in the facial muscles, and in the morning stiffness of the chewing muscles, difficulty opening their mouth, cracking of the lower jaw joint, tooth tingling.
What can be the causes of bruxism?
A lot of research has been done in this area, and so far the causes of bruxism have not been fully established. One thing seems certain: there is no one single cause for bruxism, and no one single solution for its effective reduction, and even removal. The most commented causes of this phenomenon are:
- Emotional stress (losing a close person), fear, psychological stress before an exam, or when a task has to be completed at work by a tight deadline, and in athletes before a tournament.
- Problems with the bite – preliminary contact between the teeth in case of improperly placed fillings, crowns, and bridges when the natural anatomy of teeth has not been restored, or because of improperly aligned teeth. The improper contact between the upper and lower teeth generates increased activity of the muscles which push the lower jaw towards the upper jaw.
Types of bruxism
- Static bruxism – gritting of the teeth in a static position of the lower jaw.
- Sliding (eccentric) bruxism – gritting and grinding of the lower teeth against the upper teeth. It is accompanied with an unpleasant grinding sound.
- Sharp bruxism – it occurs periodically in stress conditions.
- Chronic bruxism – it occurs during the day or most often at night during sleep.
What are the consequences of bruxism?
If bruxism is not treated, it may lead over time to wearing out of the chewing (occlusal) surface of teeth; it is also possible that they might become loose and may eventually be lost. Failure to treat bruxism causes structural changes in the lower jaw joint causing cracking during opening and pain in it. The wearing out of teeth makes them more sensitive on the hand, and on the other hand leads to a reduction of the bite and stress in the occlusion-muscle balance.
How to find out if you have bruxism?
Oftentimes patients with bruxism do not realize that they have this harmful habit. They learn about it from their relatives, friends, or colleagues who hear the gritting sound. It is especially hard for people living alone to figure out they have night bruxism.
There is a one-time bruxism test on the market, the so called BiteStrip. This device registers daytime and nighttime tooth gritting, and indicates its frequency. It is placed by sticking to the cheek before going to bed at night, and has to stay on for at least 5 hours. In the morning, its screen gives a score from 0 to 3, which determines the degree of bruxism:
- 0 – no indications for bruxism
- 1 – light bruxism
- 2 – moderate bruxism
- 3 – severe bruxism
This test can also be used to evaluate a bruxism treatment therapy.
Bruxism in children
Children very often grit their teeth as their teeth start to emerge which causes concern for their parents. The reason for that might be psychological tension, anxiety, pain in the years or teeth, or a “bad” bite (when the teeth are not aligned properly). It is also possible that the child might have a more emotional character. There is evidence to suggest that the presence of stomach or intestinal parasites causes tooth grinding. Or perhaps the child is getting used to having teeth in their mouth. In most causes tooth gritting is not a cause for concern because children have sufficient resistance powers against the forces of stress caused by bruxism. This habit gets overcome and disappears with time.
Treatment
The optimal treatment results depend on the right diagnosis which includes the patient’s stress profile, and a precise analysis of their bite with respect to the condition of the lower joint jaw. In order to reduce the wearing out of teeth, individual silicone splints are produced after an imprint has been taken from both jaws. The patient wears the splints at night in order to change the muscle tone by increasing the height of the bite so that teeth do not assume additional pressure.
What are aphtae (canker sores)?
Aphtae are small ulcers ranging from 1 mm to 2 cm which appear on the inner side of the cheeks and lips, and on the gums and tongue. Women have been found to be affected by them more often.
What causes aphtae?
Aphtae result from an inflammation or infection caused by fungi, viruses and bacteria, a trauma caused by biting, a bad dental prosthesis, irritation caused by a decayed tooth, a coarse toothbrush, bad oral hygiene, stress and exhaustion, a viral infection, food allergies, consumption of contaminated food, unwashed fruits and vegetables, deficiency of Vitamin C, iron, B complex vitamins, weak immune system.
Sometimes they can be a symptom of some serious disease – AIDS, tumors, leukemia, after chemotherapy, syphilis, Behcet’s disease, etc.
What are the symptoms?
At the beginning the symptoms resemble miniature reddish craters with a dark yellow rim. Later, a yellowish coating occurs in their bottom. Unlike herpes, they do not form a blister. In the best case scenario, aphtae go without general complaints. Very often, however, they get infected by bacteria and fungi leading to high fever, swelling of the submandibular lymph nodes. In some cases, there is bleeding. There is a certain rather unpleasant pain. The aphtae hurt during consumption of some foods or drinks – hard foods (because of mechanical irritation) and foods with high acidity (chemical irritation) – fruits, vegetables, soup, vinegar, tomato juice, etc.
How long does it take for aphtae to disappear?
They emerge suddenly, and just as suddenly die down in between 3-4 to 20 days.
Are aphtae contagious?
Even though both dentistry and medicine are so advanced, experts are still in disagreement over whether the aphtae are contagious or not.
Protection Methods
Aphtae should be prevented from becoming chronic because it takes a lot of time and efforts to treat them. A checkup by a dentist is necessary in order to diagnose the condition, and to assign medical tests if needed. They might be necessary because of the possibility of a bacterial infection (a standard peripheral blood smear test), and in case of doubts over a disease going with immune deficiency (leukogram – counting of the blood cells by type), a Wasserman test for syphilis, etc.
Treatment
When you suffer from aphtae, you should not drink coffee, smoke, chew gum, or use breath refreshment products. Consume soft and liquid foods without irritating spices. When you are getting treatment from aphtae, you must reduce to a minimum the consumption of meat and fish – animal protein “acidifies” the organism, breaks the alkaline-acid balance, and slow down the treatment. When the causes are severe exhaustion and stress, take measures to neutralize them – go out for a walk or immerse yourself in your hobby.
The treatment of aphtae uses ointments with direct painkilling, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic effect. When there is a bacterial infection, antibiotics are also used; in cases of high fever – antipyretics; in cases of considerable bleeding – calcium, rutascorbin. Additional intake of Vitamin C is also recommended.