General dentistry

The treatment of caries is one of the most common types of treatment in conservative dentistry. Dental caries is one of the most widespread diseases today. It is an infection caused by exposure to bacteria in the buccal cavity. These first destroy the enamel (the outer layer of the teeth) and then gradually spread more and more into the deeper structures of the teeth.

We use dental fillings (plombages) to repair teeth that have decayed. These fillings can also be used to treat injured or cracked teeth.

When a patient complains of toothache, we first check for holes and cracks. Our doctors do this with a visual examination of the mouth and teeth and with the help of digital x-rays (with minimal radiation). When the dentist determines that the tooth needs a filling, we begin treatment.

In most cases, after anaesthesia, our dentist uses a dental laser to remove all of the caries-infested tooth tissue in the tooth. By using the dental laser, we protect the surrounding healthy tooth tissue. In addition, the procedure is much more comfortable than using a drill. We then clean the tooth with water before sealing it with a filling.

At the Smile Polyclinic we only use biocompatible, aesthetic composite resin fillings (so-called white fillings) that can be matched to the colour of your teeth.

In more severe cases, when a large part of the tooth has been destroyed, it may sometimes be necessary to place ceramic fillings. Ceramic fillings are much more durable, resistant and aesthetically most similar to a real tooth. We manufacture them in our digital dental laboratory using CAD-CAM technology. Depending on the position and size of the tooth surface that we are replacing, we differentiate between inlay, onlay and overlay fillings.

General dentistry also includes root canal treatment aimed at removing bacteria from an inflamed tooth (a tooth with infected root canals), preventing the tooth from becoming reinfected and preserving the tooth itself.

In endodontic therapy, the inflamed and infected pulp is removed and the inside of the tooth is carefully cleaned, disinfected and sealed with a filling.

Every year we treat and save hundreds of teeth in this way, relieving the pain and restoring them to health.

Inside your tooth, beneath the white enamel and a hard layer called dentin, is a soft tissue called the pulp. This tissue contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue that support the growth of your tooth root as it develops. A fully developed tooth can survive without a pulp because the tooth continues to be nourished by the surrounding tissues.

Modern root canal treatment has nothing to do with old procedures that have a bad reputation among patients. It can usually be performed in just one or two sessions, depending on the condition of your tooth and your individual circumstances. This therapy is relatively painless and extremely effective. At Smile Polyclinic we use a dental laser and ozone for more efficiency and less invasive procedures.

We start the procedure by removing the tooth tissue affected by the infection. We remove the inflamed tooth pulp and disinfect the root canals. In order to carry out the treatment correctly, we determine the canal length using an apex locator, a special electronic instrument to measure the root canal length and digital X-rays to fully visualize the root structure.

After we have completely cleaned the root canals, we fill the tooth with a special material and close it with a filling or, if necessary, a tooth crown.

By the end of the therapy you will be able to laugh, bite and chew with ease.

The main goal of general dentistry is to keep the teeth healthy. Tartar poses a major threat here. If you want to maintain the health of your teeth, gums and buccal cavity, removing tartar from the surface of your teeth should be one of your top priorities. Tartar is a rough film that can darken teeth and change colour.

Tartar build-up occurs when plaque is not completely removed from the tooth surface. When minerals in saliva combine with plaque, crystals form and harden into tartar. If tartar is not removed regularly, it can cause a variety of problems, from gum disease to an increased susceptibility to tooth decay. Tartar builds up into such a strong structure that it can only be removed by a professional cleaning in a dentist’s office.

Tartar builds up faster with age, but in general, the susceptibility to tartar build-up varies widely across the tooth surface. To prevent the formation of tartar, it is important to visit the dentist every 6 months. During these examinations, we perform a professional cleaning, removing tartar and plaque from the teeth and polishing their surface to slow down the build-up of plaque and tartar.

Teeth cleaning begins with a thorough examination of the entire inside of the mouth. We thoroughly examine the teeth and gums for possible problems, including tartar build-up. If our doctor notices tartar on your tooth surface, he removes it with an ultrasonic device and a water jet.

After scaling, we often perform sandblasting to remove discoloration and pigmentation from the tooth surface. When sandblasting, we use a jet of air and water mixed with particles of sodium bicarbonate powder.

If there is excessive tartar on the teeth and under the gums, tooth curettage or thorough cleaning of the tartar from the roots of the teeth may be necessary.

After cleaning the tartar, it is important to maintain quality oral hygiene, control its reappearance and carry out regular check-ups for timely removal.

General dentistry also includes taking care of the oral health of children from infancy to teenage years. This discipline is called children’s dentistry (pedodontics). In our clinic we have the necessary experience and skills to take care of a child’s teeth, gums and mouth during the different stages of childhood.

Children get milk teeth in the first 6 months of life. At the age of 6 or 7 they begin to lose their first teeth, which are eventually replaced by permanent teeth.

Without proper dental care, children face caries and diseases that can cause lifelong pain and complications. Caries, an infectious disease, is five times more common than asthma and seven times more common than hay fever in children in early childhood. About 1 in 5 (20%) children between the ages of 5 and 11 have at least one untreated decayed tooth.

It is recommended that the child be brought to the first examination at the age of one year so that they can get used to the practice and the dentist early on. It is preferable that the first visit takes place before dental treatment becomes necessary to avoid a negative first experience. In this way we can prevent children from developing a fear of the dentist, which can then accompany them for the rest of their lives.