What is a dental implant?
An implant is an artificial tooth root that can be fixed into the jawbone. A prosthetic tooth can be attached to the implant that functions as a natural tooth.

Is the implant a screw that is screwed into the bone?
Not exactly, there has to be an ossification reaction around the implant known as osseointegration. Without this reaction the treatment is not stable. It takes two to three months for the reaction to occur.

Can a tooth be attached to an implant as soon as it has been inserted?
Yes, if the conditions of the area around the implant are adequate, that is, if there is no infection and there is enough bone with high bone density; if not, it is better to wait.

What is a prosthetic tooth?
It is an artificial tooth made to replace a lost or damaged tooth. They can be:
Mobile: a prosthesis known as dentures or a dental plate that the patient can remove from their mouth if necessary.
Fixed: a prosthesis that is attached to the natural teeth (bridges, crowns, etc.) or an osseointegrated implant.

What are inflammatory gum diseases?
An inflammatory gum disease affects the tissue that surrounds and supports the tooth and is produced by an accumulation of bacteria. This inflammation is called gingivitis and if it becomes worse it can develop into periodontitis. The difference between these two conditions is that periodontitis involves the progressive loss of the alveolar bone around the tooth. To prevent gum disease it is important to have regular dental check-ups and good oral hygiene to eliminate sub- and supra-gingival plaque.

What does surgery for removing the wisdom teeth involve?
This consists in surgically removing the wisdom teeth usually because there is not enough room in the jaw for them,overcrowding of teeth or problems with the way the wisdom teeth are coming through the gum.

What are dental caries?
Dental caries, also called tooth decay and dental cavities, are holes in the tooth or damage to its structure. They generally occur in children and young people, but they can affect anyone. They are one of the main reasons behind losing a tooth. Consuming sugar increases the risk of tooth decay.

What is a root canal treatment?
When tooth decay is extensive it can affect the nerve of the tooth and cause pain. To treat this pain the nerve is “killed” or the root canal is cleaned of the diseased tissue to avoid infection and filled with an inert material.

Does root canal treatment hurt?
The treatment is performed under local anaesthetic and the patient does not feel any pain. There may be a small amount of pain for 4 or 5 days after the treatment, which can be treated with medication.

At what age should we bring out children to the dentist for a check-up?
Generally, children can have their the visit to the dentist from the age of three, which is when they have a full set of baby teeth. It is recommended to have check-ups every 6 to 12 months from then on. It is important and recommendable to have regular dental check-ups.