How to brush your teeth

For a start you must choose the correct toothbrush. If your gums are healthy - a brush with medium soft bristles. It is enough to clean your teeth twice daily (morning and evening) for three minutes. Use a slight to moderate-pressure sweeping motion from the gumline to the tooth. Avoid brushing horizontally. Use cleaning products – various toothpastes, mouthwashes – necessary for chemical degradation of the plaque that forms on teeth. It is imperative to floss your teeth or use an interdental brush once a day. Tongue should also be brushed because between its folds there are plaque and microorganisms. For this purpose you may use a simple brush, a special device for tongue cleaning or a brush, combined with such a device.

How to brush the teeth of young children

Brushing is extremely important at an early age. Before teething and during the breaking through, the mouth should be cleaned with damp gauze or rubber thimble. Once the first teeth grow, you should start brushing with toothbrush and toothpaste. This, of course, happens step by step. You should be very patient. There are toothbrushes and pastes consistent with age. Paste should be in small doses as there is a risk of fluoride ingestion and the best is to be free of fluoride. A pea-sized amount is placed on the brush. It is good to see a dentist when teeth break through and if you have questions – before that. First visits are mainly to get the child accustomed to the dentist and environment.

How often to go to a prophylactic check-up

You should go to a prophylactic check-up every six months. After thorough cleaning and polishing, teeth and soft tissue are examined for caries and other diseases. The overall status of oral cavity is assessed.

How to choose toothbrush and toothpaste

A brush should have: 1) a working section (head) in length of about 2 molar dental crowns and width of approximately equal to one molar crown. A brush with smaller head reaches back teeth more easily and cleans them more effectively; 2) bristles – artificial (nylon) end-rounded, grouped in strands of different length as those in the front should be longer than the coming ones. Longer front bristles reach easily the space behind the last tooth in the dental arch. Moreover, they reach dental fissures, where most plaque is accumulated, more easily; 3) hardness – consistent to teeth and gums individual condition. As a general rule is: - soft for sensitive teeth with brittle enamel, exposed roots, thin, delicate, fragile gums; - medium for normal teeth and gums; - hard for normal teeth and gums with increased tendency to accumulate plaque and tartar; The toothbrush should be changed when bristles change their proper position. Do not wait for the whole brush (i.e. all strands) to deform. Then it is too late. First, the front, longer strands wear out as they carry the most intensive movement. Toothpaste play smaller role in the effective teeth cleaning. Assuming that the perfect cleaning is 100%, around 80-85% are due to brushing and the remaining 15-20% - to the paste. All modern toothpastes contain the most important ingredient – fluoride. It has the ability to strengthen teeth mineral structure. When choosing a paste, you may be guided by the following basic rile: antitartar - toothpaste for people prone to rapid accumulation of tartar; sensitive - toothpaste for people with exposed root surfaces vulnerable to cold, heat, sour, sweet, thin and fragile gums; universal, whitening or anticaries - for people with normal teeth and gums. However, every person has a strictly individual dental status so that your dentist is the best to tell you what toothbrush and toothpaste is the most suitable for you.

What is the proper technique for cleaning teeth with toothbrush and toothpaste

Start by cleaning chewing surfaces or lateral teeth (molars and premolars). Scrub them with a short back and forth movement with enough pressure. Thus, bristle strands reach teeth fissures and ensure optimum cleaning effect. Unfortunately, narrower and deeper fissures cannot be reached as bristle's diameter is larger than that of the fissure. Here come the sealants to help. Then clean the lateral surfaces of the teeth, facing cheeks and tongue. First, place brush in firm contact almost not touching the teeth. Make a slight oscillating movement, followed by sweeping. Direction is always from gingiva to the tooth! Pressure should be enough. Clean all teeth similarly, by changing only the position of the brush depending on the area. Last, clean the tongue. Protrude tongue forward and brush with inward-outward movements. If you feel nauseated during the procedure, first, take deep breath and brush while exhale.

How to clean between teeth

Cleaning the areas between teeth becomes with floss. It is preferable the floss not to be covered with wax - "UNWAXED". Flossing is done at night after cleaning the teeth with brush and paste. Once a day is enough.

1. Tear about 2-3 spans of floss and coil it around your right or left hand middle finger (the medium phalanx) minimum 4 coils, holding the end of the floss with the thumb of the respective hand.
2. Then coil a piece of floss around the other middle finger more than 4 times.
3. Using the forefingers, direct the floss towards the contact area between two teeth. The floss is held parallel to interdental contact and with small back and forth movements (like the bow on a violin) try to maneuver through the contact. Move carefully towards gingiva, until floss sinks slightly below it. If you press hard, you will cause bleeding.
4. Begin moving the floss back and forth and gradually away from the gingiva. While doing this, pressure should be good enough. There is no risk to injure the gum. Try not to make the floss go out of the contact.
5. Move to the next interdental areas until all are finished. Finally, finish with cleaning the rear surfaces of the last teeth in the mouth (those that are facing the throat).

Is the use of electric toothbrushes recommendable

Electric toothbrushes clean dental plaque better. Especially new generations, which combine vibration with circular movement. Simple brush when used properly provides completely satisfactory cleaning. Electric toothbrushes are very necessary for people who due to illness or accident are physically unable to perform correct movements. They are also recommendable for children with dexterity problems. I recommend to my patients to use electric toothbrushes after cleaning with a simple one, paying attention to the more difficult to clean places. Most often these are back teeth and areas, where tartar is accumulated quickly. Electric toothbrushes are really a wonderful tool for maintaining a brilliant and healthy smile!

What is caries

Caries is a disease of hard tooth tissues, leading to their destruction. It affects 95% of the people. It is a result of the simultaneous and interdependent action of many factors – oral hygiene, diet, harmful habits, enamel structure, etc. Most often, in its early stage, caries is painless. In advanced stage there is a pain provoked by chemical and physical stimuli (heat, cold, sweet, etc). Treatment is carried out by removing decayed tooth material and insertion of a dental filling.

Can I prevent the occurrence of caries

Nowadays it is quite possible. I will offer a strategy plan for preventing caries:

1. Proper diet of mother during pregnancy
2. Proper nutrition of child and oral care
3. Establishment of proper hygiene habits form a very early age – brushing teeth under the supervision of a parent
4. Coverage of permanent teeth with sealant immediately after their breaking through (only back teeth – premolars and molars
5. Maintenance of optimum hygiene by brushing and flossing
6. Prophylactic check-ups at least once a year

When to treat caries

The sooner, the better! When caries is detected early, before the entire enamel to be de-mineralized, in most cases, treatment ends just with varnish and sealant coverage and instructions for proper nutrition and diet. At this stage "the drill" is not used. When the caries has penetrated into the dentin, carious dentin and enamel is to be cleaned and a filling to be inserted. Remember that it is easier and cheaper to treat tooth decay in its initial stage rather than in its advanced condition and its possible complications – pulpitis, periodontitis, abscess, osteomyelitis, etc.

What can happen if caries is not detected and treated in time

When dental caries progresses, it starts to produce more and more severe damage to the tooth and then to surrounding tissues. Reaching dentin, caries develops rapidly and can reach the pulp only for a few years and cause pulpitis. This is not always accompanied by pain. Often, patients go to the dentist when the caries has turned into abscess. This happens when the infection leaves the root canal and affects the periodontium and alveolar bone. Then there is always pain. Very often, cheek, neck, eye, etc swell, temperature rises. Very often, the tooth can no longer be saved and should be extracted. Furthermore, there is a risk of deepening the infection. It can reach the chest cavity, heart, brain, ears, etc. There are still fatal outcomes of ill tooth. So do not wait to feel pain!

Is caries treatment painful

When only the enamel is affected, the tooth surface is cleaned with a special brush and paste and then covered with varnish containing antibacterial compounds and fluoride ions. Thus, caries can no longer progress as the varnish established a mechanical barrier between bacteria and food residues. Antibacterial compounds prevent from bacterial colony reproduction and growing. Fluoride depot, with constantly released ions, strengthens tooth surface and helps restoration of areas de-mineralized by bacterial acids. At dentist's discretion, a miniature filling with liquid composite sealant coverage may be performed. In advanced dental caries, using high-speed drill and a suitable bur, destructed (decayed) tooth areas are cleaned to healthy tissue. This procedure is extremely important as if the tooth is not perfectly cleaned and restored, the caries will continue to progress and destroy the tooth. The perfect cleaning is a procedure that requires great patience and attention from the dentist.

Are there areas which are most vulnerable to decay

Usually these are deep fissures on the tooth surface. It is the most difficult place for cleaning dental plaque as the bristles of the brush cannot reach the narrow and deeper spaces. Therefore it is necessary, as soon as the permanent lateral teeth break through, their deep fissures to be covered with sealant.

What is a dental filling

After removing the damaged tissues, they should be replaced as better as possible. This artificial restoration of the missing natural tissues is called dental filling

How long does a dental filling last

Any restoration in the mouth depends on several groups of factors:

1. Dentist's professional skills – this means being familiar with theory and practice of each performed activity. A sufficient clinical experience is required.
2. Adequate planning – before proceeding to any treatment, it should be carefully planned and adjudged how the restoration will affect the tooth and dentition health in the long term. The patient should be offered various options with their advantages and disadvantages explained in details.
3. Strict compliance with clinical protocols – the dentist must scrupulously comply with all rules for high-quality work.
4. Quality of basic and auxiliary materials.
5. Proper loading and maintenance of restoration – not to chew solid non-food products, not to use teeth to open bottles, breaking walnuts, pistachios, etc. To maintain high level of hygiene, to observe dentist's instructions specific to each case. In perfect compliance with all requirements, the life of a dental filling is more than 10 years.

How often does a dental filling need to be replaced

The need of replacement of an filling does not depend on how long before it was made. Once it does not meet the quality and functionality requirements, it must be replaced.

Why does the tooth hurt after a composite filling

Even with strict adherence to clinical protocols it is normal to have light sensitivity a few days after placing the filling. Dental and surrounding tissues are alive and respond to trauma. Caries has traumatized the tooth for months and years and the trauma from the filling procedure is also added. So, it is normal to feel discomfort in the treated area for some more time. Depending on the rate of damage, on the current status of the immune system, on the type of nervous system and mode of operation, extent and duration of discomfort may vary widely.

What is an artistic teeth restoration

This is a method of restoration of natural tooth structure thanks to various synthetic materials. Through it, a correction of a variety of defects – chips and tubercles of front teeth cutting edges, abnormal distance between teeth, stubborn stains, deletion of tooth necks as well as large defects in the area of chewing teeth.

What is the difference between a dental filling and a restoration

During the restoration, a modeling of the tooth using a multilayer technique is performed. Thus, the natural shape, color and anatomy of the tooth is restored. To perform an artistic restoration, the dentist should possess special knowledge, skills, experience, insight, technical equipment and quality materials with wide selection of colors and effects. The time needed for the construction of a restoration is 2 to 3 times more than for a standard filling.

What is a sealant

Very often (in 95% of people), there are narrow and deep fissures observed on the tooth surface. They are an ideal environment for settlement and development of bacteria, causing caries. Enamel is thinner in these deep areas. This means that for a very short time, the enamel can be decayed by the lactic acid released by bacteria. Once reached the bottom layer – dentin, which is with protein content, the process quickly and dangerously advances to the dental pulp. Sealing these areas with sealant is the best anti-cavity prophylaxis. Sealant coverage is a fast, non-complicated procedure, lasting not more than 10-15 minutes. The procedure is ABSOLUTELY PAINLESS! Even the most fearful patients endure it quite easily.

What is dental whitening

This is a procedure at which using whitening agents, a lightening of the natural color of teeth without damaging or destructing teeth tissues is achieved. By whitening, lightening of teeth basic color is achieved. Various people have different color. It may be within the yellow-brown, brownish or blue-grayish scale. Whitening lightens color, but cannot change its base. A tooth of the grayish scale cannot enter into the yellow-brown one by whitening. Depending on idiosyncrasies and the number of whitening procedures, a modest to dramatic change in teeth brightness can be achieved. Whitening is a procedure, affecting only natural teeth tissues. Fillings, plastic or ceramic crowns cannot be bleached.

How long does the effect of whitening last

Depending on the habits of the patient, effect of whitening can strongly vary. In chain-smokers, regular consumers of coffee, black tea, red wine and other highly colored foods and drinks the old color of teeth quickly returns. Their investment in whiter teeth should be directed in another direction – durable restorations on teeth. The reason is that ceramic surface is impossible to be permanently stained by food and drink In patients with no bad habits, the effect lasts on average about two or three years. Studies show that 42% of patients, who have undergone whitening procedure, are satisfied with the outcome even after the seventh year.

What is a dental veneer

Veneers are directly or indirectly made restorations on the face (vestibular) part of anterior teeth. They are made of composites or ceramics and distinguish with their small thickness (0.5 – 1.5 mm). Veneers are entirely cosmetic restorations. There are very strict indications for them. Veneers cannot be placed on every tooth and to every patient. Before proceeding to treatment with veneers, the dentist should assess in great details and depth the condition of dentition, the possible risks of failure and complications. To meet the requirements for veneers, the patient should:

1. have healthy enough tooth tissue
2. no harmful habits (clenching and grinding of teeth, chewing non-food products, crushing nuts, almonds, etc with teeth)
3. have excellent oral hygiene
4. have balanced bite

If he/she meets the criteria, at discretion of the dentist, it can be proceeded to treatment with veneers. Their main purpose is to correct dentition defects in respect of shape, order, surface texture and color. Veneer key advantage is that through them high aesthetic results with minimum filing down of healthy tooth tissue is achieved. Depending on tooth/dentition defect and the desired result, more or less can be filed down. In more than 60% of the cases, filing down is reduced to removing of 0.5 - 0.8 mm of the vestibular enamel of he tooth as the cutting edge and contacts with adjacent teeth are fully preserved.

What is a dental crown

When tooth tissues are destroyed by caries, trauma or other reasons to such an extent that more conservative restorations (direct or indirect fillings) would not provide reliable protection then, a dental crown should be made. The crown is a restoration that covers dental tissues from all sides. It takes upon itself the pressure during functioning and then allocated it evenly over the underlying dental tissues. The tooth is filed down so as to provide the required space for the creation of minimum thickness of the crown in all its surfaces. Then, being placed, the crown looks like a natural extension of the tooth root – fully recovering the original shape of the tooth. In this case, the crown does not irritate periodontal tissues and is not accepted as a foreign body. Depending on the type of crown, filing varies. The choice of material for crowns is quite large. After a careful analysis of the residual tooth tissues – quantity, color vitality, bite, movement of mandible during functioning, periodontal status, patient's aesthetic requirements, etc., it is decided on the type of the material, from which the dental crown will be constructed. Optionally, temporary crowns of plastic or composite are made that provide comfort, aesthetics, functioning and normal speech until the crown of the selected material is constructed. If teeth are alive, temporary crowns are required as filed down teeth are very sensitive to cold, sweet and sour. Care for crowns is the same as for natural teeth. The crown cannot be damaged by caries, but uncleaned plaque can damage the gum and as a result, caries of cement, pulpitis and complications, periodontal pocket, may be developed. Do not neglect your hygiene!

What are the options for anesthesia

In the dental office, local anesthesia is most often used by means of chemical substances (anesthetics). Depending on the desired effect, one or another method for induction of the anesthetic solution is used. Still, the most effective methods are the injection techniques, using a needle for penetrating the tissues. Needle-less injection methods are of secondary importance. They are mostly used for children. For adults, they have a good effect when working on the front teeth. Apart from local anesthesia, moderate sedation can also be used – by using sedatives, which make the following procedures easier. This has a good effect on people with fear of dentists and strong anxiety, by reducing the nervousness and fear. The medication is taken about an hour before the visit to the dentist office. General anesthesia in dentistry is used only rarely, in case of treating mentally ill, severely stressed and traumatized patients. When the anesthesia is properly made, the patients can feel that something is being done on his/her teeth, but he/she can feel no pain, no discomfort.

What is root treatment

Root treatment is necessary in case of inflammatory processes in the pulp. It may also be required in case of clinically healthy pulp of teeth, which are subject to treatment with crowns and bridge works. It may consist of various procedures, aiming healing and removal of harmed soft tissues (pulp) in the tooth interior. The X-ray gives valuable information for precise diagnosing and choosing of the treatment plan. During root treatment, the dentist needs three X-ray photographs: one before the treatment; second with an instrument for precise determination of the canal/canals length; third after filling the root canals. Following proper root treatment, usually there are no changes in the tooth appearance. For the purpose, the root canals must be perfectly cleaned from the soft organic matter, which might discolor the tooth. For filling the root canals, no pastes with coloring potential must be used. With time, even after a perfect root treatment, the tooth might change its color.

Which are the gums diseases

Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gingiva (gums). It is manifested in reddening or bluish-red coloring of the tissues right around the teeth. Other specific indications of the inflammation are: - bleeding during teeth brushing or consumption of rougher foods; - swelling of the tissues; - slight painfulness during mechanical irritation. It is found that for 98% of the people, in certain moments, indications of inflammation can be found. If not treated, it may intensify to periodontisis. Periodontitis is an advanced inflammation of the soft tissues of several or all teeth. Tissues are affected in depth – periodontium and alveolar bone. Consequently, deep pockets around the teeth are formed, which maintain the inflammatory process, because they cannot be cleaned with a toothbrush and paste. The indications of the inflammation are common to those for gingivitis but here you can notice also: - flowing of whitish fluid out of the pocket upon squeezing of the gums; - loss of periodontal fibers and alveolar bone, which leads to loosening of the tooth; - withdrawal of the gums to the direction of the tooth root. Different studies show that 75% of the tooth extractions for people over the age of 35 are due to periodontitis. In case of timely treatment of the disease, the teeth can be preserved to a ripe old age.

What causes bad breath

The main cause for the "bad breath" (halitosis) syndrome are bacteria, which normally live in the mouth but for some reason have breed excessively. Other causes may be: - periodontal disease; - disease of the tooth pulp and its complications; - reduced salivation (xerostomy); - inflammation of the sinuses; - inflammation of the pharynx, larynx, tonsils; - inflammation of the liver, kidneys, stomach and intestines; - use of certain medications, such as antihistamine medicines, antidepressants, diuretics, for control of blood pressure, drugs, etc.

When is an X-ray necessary

It is made when the dentist needs information about: - a hidden caries of the interdental surfaces; - a secondary caries under a present filling; - the condition of the tooth pulp; - the number and configuration of the roots; - the bone structure; - the lower jaw joints, sinuses; - tooth germs, etc. X-rays are a type of radiation. X-rays are a part of the light spectrum, so daily we receive small doses of them, when we are out in the sun. It is calculated that the radiation that the body sustains during making a small X-ray equals the radiation during exposing on bright summer sun for ten minutes. The comparison is valid for a contemporary X-ray machine. The older the machine, the greater the dose. Abil Clinic has a state-of-the-art digital X-ray machine, which makes radiation ten times less.

Can you have dental work during pregnancy

Amid turbulent physiological changes during pregnancy, it is normal untreated diseases in the mouth to remind about themselves. It is wrong to think that pregnancy has contributed to damage the health of your teeth. Rather, it has helped the mother to recognize and draw attention to her dental problems that have existed long before that, but have not been realized and were neglected. In principle, there are no contradictions for dental treatment in pregnancy. Usually, dental procedures in pregnant women are as follows: 1) Tartar cleaning. Hormonal changes often result in increased sensitivity of periodontal tissues. If we also have an irritation caused by tartar, this could lead to unpleasant inflammations such as persistent gum bleeding, bad breath, edema and discomfort. Often, during pregnancy, there are periodontal problems, which, if not treated, get more serious later. 2) Treatment of pulpitis, periodontitis and other diseases that can cause serious purulent-inflammatory process, which in turn can damage the overall health of the mother and the fetus. 3) Extraction of severely damaged, incurable teeth and roots. Restorative and healing processes after treatment pass more quickly during pregnancy due to increased metabolism.

What are the main principles of infants and children's dental care

First teeth are part of temporary (milk) dentition. They break through about the six month. Until 2 years and 6 months, maximum 3 years of age, the formation of milk dentition is completed. It shall remain in function until the final replacement by permanent teeth. Terms of breakthrough are tentative. They depend on many factors. Earlier or later break does not mean that there is something wrong. However, if there is an over-retardation you should consult a dentist. Deciduous dentition is characterized by the existence of distance (diastemas and tremas) between teeth. This almost always means that permanent teeth will be properly arranged. When deciduous teeth are densely arranged (without distances) between each other, this almost always means that there will be problems with the arrangement of the permanent teeth. The first visit of the child in the dental office should be before the occurrence of any problem. Thus, parents will understand how to properly care for the child's oral health, how to maintain hygiene, what foods to avoid, be aware of harmful habits such as sucking the finger, chewing and gnawing objects, etc. On the other hand, it is extremely important for the child to get accustomed to the situation in the dental office, with specific smells and noise, to get acquainted with the dentist. So he/she will not be afraid when some treatment is needed. It is desirable that the first dental visit to be not later than at the age a year and a half.

When to start cleaning with toothbrush and toothpaste

I advice cleaning the gums of the child to be started first with just a soft brush, without paste, from around the fourth-fifth month. Besides hygiene, these procedures help gums for "maturation", their preparation for the irritation caused by the breaking a few months later teeth. After the first teeth break through, a paste could be added, but it should contain no fluoride. When the child has learned not to swallow the paste, toothpaste with fluoride may be used. This is usually achieved by the age of 18-24 month. Brush and paste should be consistent with the age. Brushes should be with small head, soft, well rounded bristles and comfortable handle. The paste should not contain fluoride until the age of two. Young children have not the necessary dexterity to clean perfectly their teeth by themselves. Parents should help them until they turn 7-8. This does not mean that the child should not brush his/her teeth alone! On the contrary, even in early age, you should stimulate your children to care for their teeth by themselves. No matter whether the child will ask to brush his/her teeth alone at the age of 6 months or 1 year. Do not reject him/her! Be patient. When he/she finishes, complete by yourself with the explanation that he/she did well, but there is something more left here and there. At the age of 2, you should start teaching the child how to properly handle the brush. A little later, you must explain about flossing as well.

What are the diseases of deciduous teeth

Deciduous teeth, as well as permanent, are affected by caries, pulpitis, periodontitis, etc. In poor care by parents, one or more teeth may suffer. Caries, untreated in time, quickly complicates. This is not always associated with pain. Parents take measures when there is a swelling of the cheek, eye, chin (depending on the tooth). Often, in such cases, infection affects other organs. Sometimes the child enters the hospital and is subjected to treatment with antibiotics, infusion of solutions, etc. Milk teeth are necessary for normal chewing and speaking of the child. They are replaced naturally, when permanent teeth have reached the necessary level of development. Complications of untreated milk teeth often are serious and require significant resources, time and nerves. Early extraction of a milk tooth hides risk of unpleasant consequences. First – displacement of the remaining teeth, seeking to fill the freed space, may occur. Thus, the space for permanent tooth break through can be limited. Instead of arranging properly in the dental arch, it will be forwards, backwards, outwards, inwards, rotated around its axis, etc. Then, for the proper arrangement of the teeth, the child should wear a special orthodontic appliance for months and years. Second – the natural teeth breaks before being developed well. Thus, the new tooth has a reduced mineral content of the enamel and dentin, leading much faster to caries in inadequate care.

What is the adequate dental care for school age children

Emerging of permanent teeth begins with the appearance of the mandibular first molar at the free space behind the last milk tooth. Then, gradual falling of milk teeth and their replacement with permanent ones starts. Milk teeth, under the influence of the permanent teeth developing underneath, fall naturally. This happens of the gradual resorption of the roots. Finally, tooth crown is held only by gums tissues and most often falls during eating. If a milk tooth is not required to be removed by a dentist, it is better to be left to fall alone. This can be adjudged only by a dentist. So, it is better to consult in time. Do not take responsibility you cannot handle with! The period of milk dentition replacement is extremely important. When properly cared, healthy teeth break through and arrange in the most rational manner. Thus, the foundations of a healthy and beautiful smile that lasts for life are laid down. The child should visit his/her dentist regularly. Depending on his/her individual development, the most appropriate screening intervals will be determined. In some cases, at risk situations, check-up may can be in every 3 months, in others – in 6 months.

What are alternatives when a tooth is missing

In most cases, in the extraction of a tooth, a space is freed, causing the adjacent teeth to shift. This causes a number of changes in the bite, which are always with adverse effect. The best and the cheapest way is not to allow a tooth to be extracted as the consequences are serious. But, if this is already a fact, the sooner you replace the extracted tooth, the better. An extracted tooth may be substituted by three ways: - an implant; - fixed dentures; - removable dentures. In treatment with an implant, a metal pin (of Titanium alloy) is used, which is inserted into the bone. After a period of stabilization, a crown is placed on it. In treatment with fixed denture (a bridge) the teeth on both sides of the defect are filed down for crowns. Empty space is filled with a crown, which is a whole with the crowns of the adjacent teeth. The ready structure is cemented permanently (the patient cannot remove it) with a special cement. The treatment with removable dentures (the patient can remove it whenever he/she wants) is a metal or plastic plate, which in addition to covering the defect, covers a large part of the soft tissues as well. This provides its holding in the mouth in position during functioning. Teeth, replacing the extracted ones, are placed on the plate. Although being less invasive to the existing tissues, this treatment method is the least preferred by patients. The reasons are difficulties in getting used to the large foreign body in the month, problems with speech, discomfort in removing and cleaning after each meal, etc.

What is a removable denture

In general, removable dentures divide in three major groups. The first group includes the simplest and most available means of prosthesis. These are simple plastic dentures. Their base is made of hard plastic, on which artificial teeth are attached. They may have wire hooks and other metal units, contributing to better holding and strength. Their main advantage is low cost due to the simple and inexpensive process of construction. The second group includes Cr-Co alloy cast dentures. They consist of a metal frame covered with pink plastic. Holding elements are hooks, fused together with the skeleton of the prosthesis. These kinds of structures are with very good holding in position and stability in functioning. They are much more expensive than the first group. The third group includes the most expensive and complex dentures. These are complex (combined) prosthesis. They are made of metal, model cast skeleton as the above group, but to be held in place they use various combinations of complex elements – latches, joints, telescopes, etc. These are the most sophisticated and precise pieces of dental engineering technology. Thus, the highest possible degree of stability, strength and aesthetics is achieved. With this denture the patient can eat any kind of food without limitation. You can get used to them very quickly and they impede speech the least. A patient with well-made prosthesis looks

What is the dental implant

Most often, this is an artificial metal pin, placed in the bone. It serves as support for the artificial tooth crown. The metal pin, made of biologically tolerable material (titanium) is actually a substitute for the natural tooth root. This means that the implant is introduced in a free bone space, where the lost natural tooth roots were once placed. The metal pin remains in the bone and the substructure (the part that comes out of the gums) is mounted on it. It has the shape and plays the role of a natural filed down tooth stump. Finally, on the superstructure, an individually lab made artificial tooth crown is placed. Almost every lost tooth may be replaced with an implant, and it is also advisable. Every situation must be attentively and responsibly assessed in advance. The option for success and failure must be estimated! Implants are not always the best option for treatment! Important factors for the assessment: - presence of diseases, which could hinder the treatment (on the blood, bones, organs, glands, immunity, different allergies, etc.); - condition of the mouth – resent teeth, size of the bone and its density, location of the sinuses, mandibular canal, etc.; - bad habits (alcohol, cigarettes, squeezing/grinding of the teeth, etc.); - oral hygiene; - willingness and desire for cooperation during treatment. It professionally planned and carried out, the implant treatment is completely safe for the health!