Frequently asked questions

At the first consultation we examine your teeth and take X-rays and photographs for diagnosis. Where needed, we also take an intraoral scan. We then talk about the problems that brought you to us.

If the treatment does not also require an assessment by other dentists on the team, we present the plan at this same visit. When the case involves a diagnosis from several colleagues, the treatment plan is presented at a later appointment.

If you have older X-rays, please bring them with you. By comparing them with the current ones, we can see how a problem has developed.

Your medical test results and a list of the medicines you take are needed for the diagnosis. They help us draw up a treatment plan that takes your other health conditions into account and choose the right medication.

Yes. You receive the treatment plan in writing, in stages, so that you understand the order in which the procedures are carried out. It also includes the price of each one.

Your dentist explains it to you step by step. Treatment begins once you have accepted it.

In most cases yes, but only very slightly. For feldspathic porcelain veneers, only a very thin layer of enamel is removed. This allows the veneer to blend in naturally without making the tooth bulkier.

In some cases, for example with small teeth or teeth set further back, preparation may be minimal or not needed at all. We decide this after analysing the smile and after the mock-up.

Well-made, properly cared for porcelain veneers last for many years, often more than 10. How long they last depends largely on oral hygiene, regular check-ups and habits such as teeth grinding. For patients who grind their teeth at night, we recommend a protective night guard.

Yes. Using photographs and an intraoral scan, we design the future shape of the teeth. We then try it directly on the patient with a mock-up, a temporary model made of composite material, without touching the teeth.

This way you can see and feel the proposed result before treatment begins. If you would like changes, we make them at this stage. You will find more on the Digital smile design page.

Although it happens very rarely, accidents can occur. A veneer that has come off intact can usually be bonded back. A small chip can sometimes be polished or repaired with composite. If the veneer has cracked or fractured, it is replaced with a new one.

In every case, come to the clinic as soon as possible and keep the veneer if it has come off.

Inlays and onlays are suitable when a tooth has a large cavity or an old, extensive filling but still has enough healthy tissue. An inlay restores the inner part of the tooth, while an onlay also covers one or more cusps, the points on the chewing surface. Both preserve more of the natural tooth than a crown.

A crown is needed when the tooth is badly damaged, cracked or weakened and has to be covered completely to protect it. It is also needed when the tooth is non-vital, that is, when it has had root canal treatment. We choose the right option after an examination and an X-ray.

Not necessarily. A living tooth with a healthy nerve can receive a crown without root canal treatment.

Root canal treatment is needed only if the nerve of the tooth is inflamed or affected, or if the tooth is so damaged that it needs additional support in the root. The decision is made after a clinical and radiographic examination.

No. The procedure is done under local anaesthetic, so you do not feel pain during it. In the following days there may be mild tenderness or swelling. This usually settles within a few days and is well controlled with the medication your dentist recommends.

After placement, the implant needs time to integrate with the bone. This period, called osseointegration, lasts between 2 and 6 months. The final restoration, a crown or a bridge, is then made. For All-on restorations, we recommend waiting 6 months before the final arch is made.

In some situations, the implant can receive a temporary restoration within the first few days after placement. We give you the exact length of treatment in your treatment plan, after assessing the CT scan.

As a rule, no. Especially in the visible area of the smile, we provide a temporary solution until the final restoration is made. Depending on the case, this may be a fixed or removable temporary restoration, or a temporary restoration fixed directly on the implant.

In most cases, yes. When there is not enough bone, it can be rebuilt with a bone graft or, in the upper molar area, with a sinus lift. These procedures are carried out by the surgeon on our team. Sometimes they are done at the same appointment as implant placement, sometimes beforehand.

We assess the amount and quality of the bone with the clinic's CT scanner before drawing up the treatment plan. You will find more on the Dental implants page.

Dental crowns, porcelain veneers and implant restorations can last for many years, provided they are properly cared for. A few simple rules make the difference:

• brushing twice a day and cleaning between the teeth with dental floss or interdental brushes;
• professional cleaning and regular check-ups with your dentist;
• a protective night guard if you grind your teeth at night;
• avoiding habits that can crack ceramic, such as chewing ice or opening packaging with your teeth.

You will find all the recommendations in the article Caring for dental restorations in the Journal.

Yes. Complex cases, such as a full mouth rehabilitation, need several specialties. At ARTeeth Dental Clinic in Bucharest, I coordinate a team of dentists from different branches of dentistry, including periodontics, endodontics, orthodontics and oral surgery.

Each colleague assesses the case from the perspective of their specialty, and the treatment plan is agreed together. This way, every stage, from gum treatment and implant placement to the final restorations, is planned from the start as a whole. You will find more on the Full mouth rehabilitation page.