Answers to our patients’ most frequently asked questions.

Very rarely. Bleeding gums are a sign of inflammation. Sometimes the inflammation may temporarily subside, giving the patient the impression that the problem has resolved on its own. In reality, the cause of the inflammation is still present and the infection continues to smoulder. Mouthwashes may temporarily relieve the symptoms, but they do not remove the underlying cause of the bleeding. So the answer is usually simple: no. Bleeding gums should not be ignored; the cause must be identified and treated.

There is no scientific evidence that periodontal disease is directly inherited. What can be inherited is a greater susceptibility to developing the disease. Genetics can influence the composition of saliva, the body’s immune response or susceptibility to the growth of certain bacteria. However, periodontal disease cannot develop without dental plaque. This means that, regardless of genetic predisposition, proper oral hygiene remains the most important factor in preventing the disease.

That is precisely one of the biggest pitfalls of this disease. Periodontal disease is usually painless, which is why many patients do not notice that anything is happening until the disease has already progressed. Pain occurs only in certain acute conditions, such as when an abscess or severe infection develops. Bleeding gums, bad breath, gum recession or loose teeth are therefore much more important warning signs than pain itself. The problem with periodontal disease is precisely that it does not hurt.

No. Tooth mobility does not automatically mean that the tooth needs to be removed. It all depends on how mobile the tooth is, what caused the condition and how much of the supporting tissue has been preserved. When mobility is limited, there are often ways to stabilise and save the tooth. We therefore never make this decision without a proper assessment. The first step is an examination and evaluation of the condition, after which we can recommend the best solution.

No. Gum recession is not always caused by periodontal disease. There are other conditions, such as localised gingival recession, in which the gums recede without periodontal disease being present. This is why an accurate diagnosis is essential before any treatment begins.

Twice a year. This applies to everyone, whether their gums are healthy or they have periodontal disease. For patients with periodontal disease, check-ups and professional tartar removal are usually required three to four times a year, depending on the severity of the condition. Regular tartar removal is not merely a cosmetic procedure. It is one of the most important ways to preserve the health of both the gums and the teeth.

Now. You should not wait until something hurts before visiting the dentist. Regular check-ups twice a year allow any problems to be detected early, when treatment and recovery are simpler. The best check-up is one after which we can tell you that your teeth and gums are healthy.

Periodontal disease is a chronic condition and requires lifelong care. This does not mean that you will be undergoing treatment for the rest of your life. It means that once the disease is under control, it must be kept that way. Regular check-ups, good oral hygiene and professional tartar removal are the best way to preserve your teeth and prevent the disease from progressing again.

No. Receding gums cannot be restored to their original position with gels, oils, massage or other products advertised for this purpose. Once the gums have receded and the tooth root is exposed, the only way to return them to their natural position is appropriate surgical treatment, provided that the clinical indications are present. It is important to emphasise that not every case of gum recession is suitable for surgical treatment. The treatment decision is made after a detailed examination and assessment, because success depends on several factors, including the cause of the recession, the amount of remaining supporting tissue and the overall condition of the gums. This is precisely why a professional diagnosis is the first and most important step in choosing the right treatment.

No. Periodontal surgery is performed under local anaesthesia, so the patient does not feel pain during the procedure. You may feel slight pressure or pulling of the tissues, which is completely normal, but not pain. The duration of the procedure depends on the number of teeth being treated and the extent of the surgery. Even when the maximum number of teeth in both jaws is treated, the procedure takes no more than two hours. Mild tenderness and swelling may occur afterwards. These are expected parts of the healing process and can be effectively managed with the prescribed medication and by following the postoperative instructions. In our experience, most patients experience only mild discomfort on the first day, which is successfully controlled with standard painkillers. By the following day, most patients have no significant symptoms and are mainly aware only of the sutures. This is why patients very often tell us after completing treatment that recovery was much easier than they had expected.

In most cases, recovery after periodontal surgery is very quick and involves no major discomfort. Mild discomfort and pain may occur on the first day after the procedure and can be effectively controlled with painkillers. Patients return to their usual daily activities almost immediately, although they are advised to avoid strenuous physical activity and intense exercise during the first seven days. Mild tenderness is an expected reaction after the procedure. Swelling may occur, but in most cases it is absent or very slight and subsides over the following days. The sutures are removed seven days after the procedure. During this period, a softer diet is recommended, consisting of foods that will not mechanically irritate the surgical site or damage the sutures. This does not mean that you must eat only puréed food; simply avoid hard and sharp foods. Proper oral hygiene is an important part of a successful recovery. During the first seven days, we recommend using an ultra-soft toothbrush to clean the teeth and gums gently. Do not use interdental brushes, dental floss, an oral irrigator (Waterpik) or harsh mouthwashes during this period. Rinsing or vigorously swishing any solution around the mouth is also not recommended, nor is the use of home remedies such as bicarbonate of soda. Simply follow the postoperative instructions you will receive after the procedure. Our experience shows that almost all patients return to their daily routines very quickly when they follow these simple recommendations.

No. Implants are an excellent solution when a natural tooth can no longer be saved, but a healthy natural tooth is always preferable. Our goal is to preserve your tooth whenever possible. We recommend an implant when it is the best solution for your health and long-term stability.

This happens very rarely. Modern implants are made from biocompatible materials whose reliability has been confirmed by decades of clinical use. In rare cases, an implant may fail to integrate with the bone as expected. This is precisely why we carefully plan the treatment, assess the condition of the bone and continue to monitor the patient after implant placement.

No. Implant placement is performed under local anaesthesia, and the procedure itself is painless. Mild tenderness, swelling or discomfort may occur for a few days afterwards; these are expected reactions following any surgical procedure. Most patients are pleasantly surprised by how much easier the recovery is than they expected.

Yes, but only once the periodontal disease is under control. Implants are placed in healthy bone and healthy surrounding tissues. If there is an active infection, we treat it first and only then plan the implant treatment. This creates the best conditions for the implant to remain stable and successful in the long term.

It depends on the treatment. This is sometimes possible for minor procedures. More complex prosthodontic rehabilitation, however, requires several stages because each step plays a role in achieving a stable and long-lasting result. We do not rush when we know that a little more time will produce a better result.

An adjustment period is completely normal. New teeth, bridges or dentures are a change that the body needs time to adapt to. At first, speech, chewing or the position of the tongue may feel slightly different. Some people adjust within a few days, while others need a little more time. This is not a sign that something is wrong; it is a natural process of adaptation.

They are long-lasting, but not lifelong solutions. Their lifespan depends on several factors: the quality of the work, the condition of the surrounding tissues, regular check-ups and, above all, how well you care for them. A well-made restoration, combined with good hygiene and regular check-ups, can serve you successfully for many years.

Yes. This is one of the most common misconceptions. Many people think that crowns, bridges or implants no longer require special care because they are ‘artificial’. The opposite is true. They require careful, regular oral hygiene and dental check-ups so that both the restorations themselves and the tissues surrounding them remain healthy. In some cases, they need even more frequent care than natural teeth.

A porcelain-fused-to-metal crown consists of a metal substructure covered with a layer of ceramic. This provides functionality, but the aesthetic result is less natural. An all-ceramic crown is made from modern ceramic materials without a metal substructure. Thanks to its optical properties, it provides an exceptionally natural appearance and is the aesthetically superior option, particularly for front teeth. This does not, however, mean that a good result cannot be achieved with a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown. Both types of crown have their indications, and the choice depends on the position of the tooth, the extent of the prosthetic work, the condition of the remaining teeth and supporting tissues, functional requirements and the patient’s financial circumstances. Modern metal-free materials make it possible to produce many restorations that were previously made exclusively from porcelain fused to metal. Consequently, all-ceramic crowns and bridges are increasingly used in everyday practice. When a single crown is required, an all-ceramic crown is the best solution in most cases because of its aesthetic qualities and natural appearance. The final decision on the type of crown or bridge is made by the dentist after an examination, in accordance with the clinical findings and each patient’s needs.

Veneers are thin ceramic shells placed on the front surface of the teeth to correct their shape, colour or minor alignment irregularities. They are used when the tooth is healthy and well preserved and the bite is correct. Crowns completely cover the tooth. They are used when the tooth is damaged, after root canal treatment, or when the conditions in the mouth do not meet the criteria for veneers but the patient would like to improve the appearance of the teeth. Crowns restore the tooth’s strength, function and natural appearance. Bridges replace one or more missing teeth. They are supported by adjacent teeth or implants and are a fixed prosthetic solution for replacing a lost tooth. The best option depends on the condition of your teeth, the amount of remaining tooth structure, aesthetic expectations and functional needs. Only after an examination can the dentist recommend the treatment that will provide the best long-term result.

Yes. The materials used in modern endodontic treatment have undergone strict quality and safety checks and have been used successfully in everyday dental practice for decades. There is no scientific evidence that correctly performed root canal treatment poses a risk to a person’s general health.

No. Toothache does not automatically mean that the tooth must be removed. On the contrary, many teeth that cause pain can be successfully treated and saved. When decay or another condition reaches the dental pulp (the ‘nerve’), root canal treatment can be performed in most cases. Following properly completed treatment and an appropriate restoration, such a tooth can function completely normally for decades. Extraction is the last resort and is recommended only when there is no longer any possibility of saving the natural tooth. This is why it is important not to postpone an examination. The earlier the problem is diagnosed, the greater the likelihood that the natural tooth can be successfully preserved.

There is no single answer to this question. The duration of orthodontic treatment depends entirely on the type and complexity of the problem being treated. Some patients only need minor irregularities in tooth position to be corrected, while others require bite correction, jaw expansion or treatment of more complex orthodontic problems. The duration of treatment can therefore vary considerably. In some cases, treatment lasts several months, while complex cases may take several years. It is therefore impossible to provide an exact answer in advance or determine the duration of treatment without an examination and analysis. Only after making a diagnosis can an orthodontist assess the most appropriate treatment plan and its approximate duration.