Faqs

Everything you need to know about our dental treatments

What is Implantology?

Implantology is the Dentistry area responsible for the rehabilitation of
dental deficiencies through implants placement. It is a technique that ensures tooth replacement.

Dental implants are artificial roots made of titanium and integrated into the bone tissue of the jaws. These allow to support teeth and total or partial prosthetics, returning the aesthetic and masticatory function of the natural dentition.

Which are the benefits of dental implants?

Rehabilitation with dental implants ensures chewing, speech and smile aesthetic function.

A consequence of better appearance is significantly increase self-esteem. With proper care and a good oral hygiene, implants can have a great durability, providing
stability and comfort.

Which patients can place dental implants?

Rehabilitation with dental implants can be performed in any patient who has healthy gums and enough bone to contain the
implant. 

It can be done in:

  • Any patient who has lost a teeth, multiple or all of them.
  • Patients who wear partial or total dental prosthesis (dentures).
  • Patients who do not adapt to the prosthesis.
  • Patients who are dissatisfied with aesthetics of the prosthesis they use.
  • Patients who have advanced bone loss due to loss of teeth and/or use of dentures or who have facial changes (premature aging).

Why shouldn't we ignore missing teeth?

Losing teeth can cause problems if they are not replaced. Missing teeth can have a negative impact on life quality as well as in oral health. When there is a tooth loss, healthy teeth tend to change position occupying empty space. This can affect the shape of how the upper and lower teeth meet. Missing teeth can influence the way we put pressure on them during chewing and can have an impact on surrounding muscles and joints. The result is pain, gingival and bone loss, and alteration of the facial structure.

Does placing a dental implant hurt?

Placing an implant is not a painful procedure. The patient is anesthetized and does not feel pain during the entire surgical procedure. Furthermore, the bone drilled for implant placement is not the target of many interventions, which minimizes pain both in the procedure and in the post-surgical moment.

However, like any other procedure surgery, the patient may feel some discomfort but will be properly monitored and medicated, in order to smooth the process.

Which are the surgical risks?

As with any other surgical procedure, contamination or infections may arise after implant placement. However, under the dentist's supervision and following the recommendations, the process runs as it should be.

How long does implant surgery take?

Each case is different, and it is not possible to define a fixed time for the surgical procedure. Before implant placement, a detailed assessment of the patient will be carried out, namely the state of the bone and gums, analyzing their entire medical history.

Nevertheless, the dental implant placement takes about an hour on average.

Which are the post-operative care?

In the postoperative period, the patient must follow the dentist's recommendations. Regular consultations, special care for food, and correct oral hygiene are essential to not compromise the treatment.

Do dental implants need maintenance?

Dental implants need the same care as natural teeth: regular tooth brushing, flossing, and regular visits to your dentist.

How long does a dental implant last?

With regular visits to the dentist every six months and good oral hygiene, dental implants can last for many years and become your teeth for life.

What is the price of dental implants?

The price of dental implants depends on each case, being necessary to evaluate the state of oral health.

The value is presented to you in the first oral examination appointment, where Smile.up dentists are able to identify oral health problems and possible treatment solutions to recover your smile.

What is Orthodontics?

Orthodontics is the area of dentistry that involves the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of problems caused by a bad position of the teeth and jaws.

What are the consequences of a bad teeth position?

The consequences of dental malocclusion are not only aesthetic but can also be the origin of caries and periodontal diseases. The origin of this change can be found in genetic factors or bad habits like sucking pacifiers or thumbs.

What is the influence of bad teeth position on your oral health?

When the tooth position is not the right one, it makes cleaning more difficult, especially in the interdental spaces. Food waste accumulates in form of bacterial plaque, the gums inflame and bleed giving rise to periodontal diseases.

However, this is not the only consequence, because the bad position of the teeth favors the formation of cavities and problems in the jaw joints, and teeth breakage.

What is the proper solution to this problem?

The solution to bad positioning problems is Orthodontics, which can be fixed or removable depending on the case.

How much does a dental appliance cost?

The price of dental implants depends on each case, taking into account the type of treatment, duration, age of the patient, illnesses, or related problems, among other factors. For this reason, it is necessary to first assess the patient's oral health status.

Which are the benefits of orthodontic treatment?

In addition to the visible improvement and harmony of the facial features, the aesthetic corrections of the teeth and, consequently, of the smile, leads to an increase in the self-esteem and oral expression of the patient. Correct alignment of teeth facilitates cleaning and reduces the risk of cavities.

When is the best time to start orthodontic treatment?

Although the ideal stage to start treatment is childhood, the latest innovations in orthodontics allow treatment to be started at any age, without presupposing an aesthetic problem.

What is the average duration of an orthodontic treatment?

It is difficult to say a specific duration of treatment as it depends on the position of the teeth, age and patient response.

How can I know if I need Orthodontics?

We always recommend an oral assessment. The dentist will determine the best treatment depending on the diagnosis. It could be bite or occlusion problems, and in other cases, dental crowding or lack of space between teeth.

Can Orthodontics improve my physical appearance?

Yes of course! In the same way that Orthodontics achieves a perfect position of teeth, there are other aesthetic treatments that combined will help you achieve a perfect smile.

  • Dental veneers: they correct defects in the size, color and shape of the teeth, which is why they are one of the treatments most used by the most famous faces in cinema and television.
  • Teeth whitening: once the proper position of the teeth is achieved
    it is possible to improve its appearance by lightening the base color or removing stains derived from smoking, coffee, among others.

What is Teeth Whitening?

Teeth whitening is an increasingly sought-after treatment by patients with oral health professionals. Nowadays, white teeth smile not only means an improvement in the oral health of each one of us but also increases the self-confidence and self-esteem we have for our image.

Over the years, our teeth naturally tend to darken. However, the main causes of teeth darkening are still due to dietary habits: such as the consumption of coffee, tea, soft drinks, red wine, etc. Smoking habits are also one of the main causes of teeth darkening as well as poor oral hygiene. Identifying the cause of tooth darkening is essential so that the most appropriate technique can be chosen for each case.

Teeth can have internal and external stains. External ones have been removed effectively through cleaning performed by an oral health professional. However, internal stains are only removed through the procedure of teeth whitening

What are the post-treatment procedures?

After teeth whitening treatment, or during the treatment if more than one session is needed, patient participation is essential in terms of correct oral hygiene. The decrease in consumption of foods rich in dyes (coffee, tea, red wine, ketchup) and a decrease in the frequency of smoking habits, are essential to avoid a setback in the treatment.

The teeth whitening treatment is not definitive, but with the techniques and means used by us, it allows us to keep teeth whiter for longer, with an average duration of 2 years until a new procedure.

How long does a bleaching effect last?

It depends on your diet, oral hygiene, and whether you smoke or not. It usually lasts for two years, but by combining whitening in the dentist's office with the trays at home, we can whenever necessary use the tray at home, thus maintaining the white color of your teeth.

What is Periodontology?

Periodontology has as its main objective the promotion of health and prevention of oral diseases, maintenance of treatments performed, and an aesthetic improvement for a more beautiful and healthier smile in the long term.

Periodontal diseases are a set of inflammatory diseases that affect the tissues that surround and support the teeth and can be broadly divided into two large groups: Gingivitis and Periodontitis.

What is the difference between Gingivitis and Periodontitis?

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is a reversible inflammation of the gums. That is, with proper treatment and proper maintenance by the patient at home, it is possible to fully recover from a health situation. On the other hand, if not treated in a timely manner, it can develop into a more serious situation.

Periodontitis

Periodontitis, unlike gingivitis, is an irreversible disease. It is associated with inflammation of the gums but also with the loss of the tissues that support the teeth, namely the bone alveolar. The treatment does not allow to recover of the lost bone, but it can stop the progression of the disease. Therefore, the sooner periodontitis is diagnosed and treated, the fewer sequelae will exist. If the disease is not diagnosed in a timely manner, tissue destruction
occurs, which may lead to an increase in teeth mobility and including the spontaneous loss of teeth.

There are serious consequences of missing teeth and not rehabilitating them?

Tooth loss has a significant impact on the quality of life, affecting chewing, speaking, smiling, and self-esteem.

Partial or total loss of teeth has serious consequences in terms of physical and emotional health, such as nutritional deficits, isolation from people, symptoms such as stomach pain, headaches, ears pain, dizziness, and postural changes.

What is a dental crown and bridge?

These are personalized medical devices made in the Prosthesis Laboratory Dental. When a tooth gets its coronal structure too damaged, a crown is used to cover the tooth to be restored. When this situation occurs in more than one tooth, with missing teeth
adjacent, a bridge is used that restores the destructured teeth and replaces missing teeth.

The structure of the crowns can be of metal or zirconium, covered by ceramic in the same color as natural teeth. In cases where the coronal structure of the tooth is lost, after devitalization of the tooth, it is necessary to place a sub-structure, which serves as a support for the dental crown.

Do crowns and bridges need special care?

The success of implant crowns and bridges depends, in part, on the patient who must adapt to the new condition. It will be necessary to carry out periodic check-ups, as recommended by your dentist.

Cleaning of crowns and bridges is extremely important and must be carried out as recommended by your dentist.

Will I run out of teeth while the crowns and bridges are being build?

If necessary, a temporary crown or bridge will be placed during the final preparation process. Provisionals are ideal for aesthetic reasons, but also to protect the tooth structure between appointments. They also help to start the process of adapting the patient to the new
teeth.

There are serious consequences of missing teeth and not rehabilitating them?

Tooth loss has a significant impact on the quality of life, affecting chewing, speaking, smiling, and self-esteem.

Partial or total loss of teeth has serious consequences in terms of physical and emotional health, such as nutritional deficits, isolation from people, symptoms such as stomach pain, headaches, ears pain, dizziness, and postural changes.

What are removable dentures?

These are personalized medical devices made in the Dental Prosthesis Laboratory.
Removable dentures are designed to replace teeth lost. They can be partial or total, depending on the teeth needed. Removable acrylic partials and totals rest directly on the gingiva or on existing teeth.
Partial removable dentures can also consist of a part made of rigid material and are supported by systems that fit into existing teeth.

What is the adaptation period to a removable prosthesis?

Dental prostheses are individual and unique devices. It is common to have a sensation of a new presence in your mouth, which you will get used to gradually.

Do removable dentures need special care?

The prostheses' success depends, in part, on the patient who must adapt to the new condition. It will be necessary to carry out periodic check-ups, as recommended by your dentist.

Cleaning the dentures is extremely important and must be carried out in accordance with your dentist's instructions.

Smile again with confidence!