The scope of care in detail

Aesthetic filling

With contemporary, tooth-coloured composite fillings, decay or a smaller loss of tooth substance can be restored aesthetically. The filling material is available in several shades, so it can be matched to the natural colour of the tooth.

Layering technique makes it possible for the colour and translucency of the filling to follow the structure of the natural tooth. As a result, when properly made, the restoration can have a natural appearance.

Root canal treatment

Root canal treatment is most often indicated when the dental pulp inside the tooth becomes inflamed, for example as a result of deep decay. During treatment, infected or inflamed tissue in the root canals is removed, then the canals are cleaned and prepared for the definitive root filling.

The canals may be explored with hand and rotary instruments. An apex locator can also help determine canal length more precisely. Treatment is carried out under local anaesthesia.

At the first appointment a medicated material may be placed in the root canal if needed, followed by a temporary seal. Once symptoms and inflammation have settled, the definitive root filling can be placed.

Depending on the extent of damage, a root-treated tooth can be restored with a filling, an inlay or onlay, or a crown. If the tooth is substantially weakened, a root post may also be required.

Fixed prostheses

Fixed prostheses are attached to existing, appropriately prepared teeth or to implants, and cannot be removed by the patient independently. They include, among others, crowns, bridges and certain post-and-core restorations.

Crown

A crown is a prosthesis covering the prepared part of a tooth, which can restore the tooth’s form, function and appearance. It may be indicated when the tooth is damaged to such an extent that a simple filling or inlay no longer provides an adequate restoration.

A crown does not replace a missing tooth: it is made to restore an existing tooth. During fabrication the tooth is prepared, an impression or digital scan is taken, then the crown made in the dental laboratory is fitted after the appropriate form and shade have been established.

Bridge

A dental bridge is used to replace one or more missing teeth. The pontics of the bridge fill the space, and are connected to neighbouring, appropriately prepared teeth or, in some cases, to implants.

With a conventional bridge, the natural teeth serving as abutments must be prepared for retention.

Metal-ceramic prostheses

The inner framework of a metal-ceramic crown is metal, and the outer layer is dental ceramic. Ceramic makes it possible to create a form and colour approaching the natural appearance of the tooth.

Gold-ceramic prostheses

The metal framework of a gold-ceramic crown is made of a gold alloy, onto which a ceramic layer is applied. The gold-alloy framework and the ceramic together provide the mechanical and aesthetic properties of the prosthesis.

Metal-free zirconia prostheses

One of the most important advantages of zirconia-based, metal-free prostheses is an aesthetic appearance close to that of natural teeth. Zirconium oxide is a high-strength ceramic used for dental purposes, suitable for crowns and other prostheses.

Metal-free solutions can be particularly advantageous when aesthetic considerations are of primary importance.

Post-and-core restoration

A post-and-core build-up can be used on a root-treated tooth whose coronal part is substantially damaged, while the root remains in an adequate condition. A post fixed in the root canal can provide a suitable foundation for a later crown.

Removable prostheses

Removable prostheses can be taken out by the patient for cleaning and hygiene. Depending on the extent of tooth loss, a partial or complete denture, or an implant-retained overdenture, can be made.

Partial denture

A partial denture may be needed when teeth are missing in part of the jaw and the condition or position of the remaining dentition does not allow a fixed prosthesis to be made adequately. The prosthesis replaces the missing teeth and may be connected to the remaining teeth by various means of retention.

Complete denture

A complete denture is made in cases of full edentulism. The prosthesis can imitate not only the missing teeth but also the visible part of the gums. Its stability is influenced by the relationship between the base plate and the structures of the oral cavity, as well as by the characteristics of the jawbone and soft tissues.

Implant-retained overdenture

A removable prosthesis stabilised by implants can be a more stable solution than a conventional complete denture. The prosthesis can generally be stabilised with an attachment system connected to at least two, and in many cases four, implants, while the patient can still remove the denture independently.

The possibility of implantation must always be assessed on the basis of an individual examination, as adequate bone volume and the general condition of the oral cavity are also important considerations.

Dental implant placement

During dental implantation, the root of the missing tooth is replaced by a biocompatible implant, that is, an artificial root. The implant is placed in the jawbone, where, after appropriate healing, a close connection with the bone may develop. A prosthesis can later be made on this foundation.

The need for and possibility of implantation can be decided on the basis of a dental examination and imaging. An implant is not the only, or necessarily the most appropriate, solution in every case of missing teeth.

During planning it is important to assess the quantity and quality of available bone, and to select an implant of appropriate size and type.

During the procedure the implant is placed in the prepared bone bed. A healing period then follows, during which an appropriate connection may form between the implant and the bone. The timing of the later prosthesis is determined by individual healing and the treatment plan.

The long-term success of the implant depends on adequate oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups.

Oral surgical care

Oral surgical care may include removal of a tooth or root, surgical removal of a wisdom tooth, removal of inflammatory tissues and cysts, apicoectomy, curettage, mucosal surgery, implant placement or bone grafting.

During the examination preceding the procedure we assess the problem and, where needed, also use imaging to help plan the intervention. The details of treatment and aftercare are always explained according to the given procedure.

Scaling and polishing

Even with daily brushing, deposits can form on the teeth that can no longer be removed adequately with home tools. These include tartar, which forms when minerals in plaque are deposited and harden.

Tartar particularly often appears near the openings of the major salivary glands, for example on the outer surfaces of the upper molars and on the tongue-side of the lower incisors.

Tartar and bacterial plaque can irritate the gums, contribute to their inflammation and, in the longer term, to deterioration of the periodontium. They can also cause an aesthetic problem and unpleasant breath.

During professional treatment we remove deposits with ultrasonic scaling, then create a cleaner, smoother tooth surface by polishing. The frequency of treatment is determined by the individual oral hygiene situation; for many patients, treatment combined with a six-monthly check-up can be an appropriate starting point.

Professional whitening

The natural colour of the teeth is determined by several factors, and the colour of the teeth may change with age. Coffee, tea, red wine, smoking, certain medicines and other external or internal discolorations can all affect the appearance of the teeth.

During whitening we use materials that lighten tooth discoloration by chemical means. The active-ingredient concentration and method of application of whitening preparations may differ between procedures.

Before whitening it is important to check the condition of the teeth and gums, and to remove tartar and surface stains. Decayed teeth and other problems requiring treatment should preferably be addressed before whitening.

External whitening can be carried out on the surface of vital teeth, either on the whole dentition or on individual teeth. Internal whitening may be needed for certain root-treated, discoloured teeth.

Placement

Tooth jewellery is a small decorative element bonded to the tooth surface; placing it does not require drilling of the tooth substance. Appropriately selected jewellery can be fixed to the tooth surface with a special adhesive.

Placement is a quick procedure during which the tooth surface is prepared, then the decorative element is attached. The jewellery can later be removed; the duration of wear also depends on individual circumstances and care.