Everyone probably knows that it is very important to visit the dental clinic at least once or twice a year, but due to lack of time or unreasonable fear, we sometimes do not do that. Unfortunately, quite often this becomes the cause of serious dental problems, and dental treatment becomes not only long and complicated but also expensive. To prevent this from happening, pay enough attention to daily dental care, visit the dental clinic for professional oral hygiene, and if you feel a toothache, do not delay and visit the dentist as soon as possible. In this case, dental treatment will not cause any stress and you will not have to worry about having to spend a large amount of money. So what to know about dental care and treatment?
DAILY DENTAL CARE
It is very important to clean your teeth thoroughly in the morning and in the evening. If possible, it is also advisable to brush your teeth after every meal (if this is not possible, rinsing with a special mouthwash will suffice). Flossing is no less important, as it helps to remove food residues and prevents the formation of stones. If you have implants or dentures, pay enough attention to artificial teeth - a single-tooth brush works well, which helps to effectively clean the surface of the teeth.
- Professional oral hygiene prevents most dental and gum diseases
Oral hygiene performed in the dentist's office is painless and takes about 60 minutes. This procedure removes plaque and dental calculus from the teeth, helping to prevent cavities and other dental problems. It is advisable to perform oral hygiene once every six months, and this service will also be needed before teeth whitening, implantation and dental prosthetics.
- The most popular service - dental filling
A filling is a procedure that is needed when teeth are affected by caries. If the teeth are not treated, they can become sensitive or painful, so it is very important to see a dentist without delay. Most often, light-curing (helium) composites are used for filling teeth, which are durable enough and wear very similar to natural teeth. Local anaesthetic is applied before this procedure, so the patient can avoid unpleasant sensations. Before filling the cavity, the damaged areas of the tooth are removed and thoroughly cleaned. The advantage is that modern fillings are performed very quickly, so more than one tooth can be repaired during one visit.
Dental prosthetics are needed if the usual filling does not help to restore the damaged teeth. A prosthesis is required if the tooth is chipped, its damage is very large, or if the patient has lost a tooth (the prosthesis can be fixed on an implant). Crowns are the most common dentures of choice and are suitable for both molars and front teeth. The patient can choose metal or zirconium ceramic crowns:
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- Metal-ceramic prostheses are cheaper, but they do not work when the front teeth have to be replaced. Metal ceramics do not transmit light, so the prostheses will not look very natural. In addition, such a solution is not suitable for people with allergies, as well as for those who sometimes complain of a metallic taste in the mouth, etc.;
- Zirconium ceramic crowns are more expensive, but look much more natural. It is recommended to choose them when prosthetics are needed for the front teeth. Such prostheses are translucent, do not cause allergies, and look very aesthetically appealing.
Of course, there are many more methods of dental prosthetics. One of them is dental bridges, which can be applied when one tooth is missing. A dental bridge is fixed between adjacent teeth, the sides of which are filed down. It is very important that these supporting teeth are sufficiently strong and healthy, because in this case only the best result can be guaranteed. Arch support dentures are removable dentures that are useful when one or more teeth are missing, and a plate can also be used when all teeth are missing. Before choosing removable dentures, it is important to consider that they will not be very comfortable and will not provide sufficient chewing function.
This is the most advanced method of tooth restoration when the patient has lost one or more teeth. A dental implant is a special screw that replaces the root of a tooth. Implantation is carried out in several stages - firstly, it is determined whether the teeth can be implanted or whether additional procedures will be required (if the tooth has fallen out or been extracted quite a long time ago, bone augmentation or sinus lift surgery may be required). Once the dental implant is drilled in, it is left to heal and then dentures can be made. Implantation is long-lasting - dental implants usually last for several decades.
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- Why is it important to replace lost teeth with implants?
- Dental implants will ensure normal chewing function. The digestion process begins in the mouth, so it is very important that the food is properly chewed;
- If the patient has lost one or more teeth, the jaw does not move sufficiently, so it starts to decay. Unfortunately, tooth restoration methods such as dental bridges or removable prostheses do not prevent jawbone loss;
- Dental implants look the same as natural teeth, so this method of tooth restoration is also suitable if the patient has lost front teeth;
- There is no discomfort when chewing - the implants are very stable, so the patient does not have to give up his favorite foods;
- It is a long-term solution that is definitely worth your investment.
AESTHETIC SOLUTIONS
Dental treatment is important not only for excellent health but also for aesthetics, so patients can always think about various solutions that help beautify their teeth:
- Aesthetic dental fillings are currently a very common choice, as this solution can guarantee a much more beautiful smile. Such a choice is relatively inexpensive and is made relatively quickly. This procedure can be done when you want to remove the gap between the teeth (diastema), mask color changes, remove certain dental lesions, etc. The advantage is that this procedure is sparing of the dental tissues;
- Dental veneers are an alternative to aesthetic fillings. This procedure is performed when a patient wants better-looking front teeth. Dental veneers are very thin porcelain plates that cover the surface of the teeth. Like aesthetic fillings, this procedure can help mask various dental defects and allows you to change the shape of your teeth. The veneers last longer than aesthetic fillings, but this procedure is more expensive;
- Teeth whitening is performed when a whiter smile is desired. Although various homemade remedies that have been popular for a long time, they do not always help to achieve the desired results. In addition, certain teeth whitening methods can lead to tooth sensitivity or even more serious problems. If you want this dental procedure to be not only effective but also safe, it is best to choose teeth whitening products recommended by dentists. It can range from teeth whitening at home with special chips to teeth whitening with a laser - in any case, it is recommended to consult a dentist first.
HOW TO PREPARE FOR A VISIT?
The most important thing is not to be afraid. Modern dentistry is very advanced, so you really shouldn't worry about possible pain or other unpleasant sensations. The procedure is always easier if you visit the dentist often enough. Before going to the Vilnius Dental Clinic, eat (this will help prevent excessive accumulation of saliva) and brush your teeth. Tell yourself that the dental treatment will not be painful, so there is really nothing to worry about. Please register at the Vilnius Dental Clinic for an appointment or procedure. Specialists working in our clinic have many years of dental experience and will be happy to solve your oral problems.
