FAQ

Teeth that remain within the jawbone and fail to achieve their normal position when their natural eruption time comes are called impacted teeth. Wisdom teeth (20-year-old teeth) are most frequently impacted, followed by canine (eye) teeth, which often remain impacted within the jawbone. In some cases, impacted canine teeth are guided to their proper positions with orthodontic treatment. However, when this is not possible and/or the impacted teeth are harming other teeth or causing infection and pathology; they need to be extracted.

There is no rule that every wisdom tooth must be removed surgically. The dentist decides on the method of tooth extraction based on clinical and radiological examinations. It is wrong to assume that every wisdom tooth extraction will be difficult. The position, size, and shape of the wisdom tooth planned for extraction determine whether it will be a normal tooth extraction or a surgical removal.

An implant is an artificial tooth root, usually screw-shaped, placed into the jawbone to replace missing teeth. Since the jawbone perceives titanium as a part of the body, implants are mostly made of titanium, and their success rate is quite high due to high tissue compatibility. The reason for its widespread use in dentistry is its applicability across a wide spectrum, from single tooth deficiencies to patients with no teeth at all. This application is performed without any intervention on the neighboring teeth. Providing a chewing sensation closest to natural, and creating a treatment opportunity without interfering with other teeth, has made implant-based methods one of the most applied treatment methods in our century.

Individuals with missing teeth experience many functional and aesthetic problems. Effective chewing cannot be performed with missing teeth. Tooth loss, by causing changes in the bite, can lead to problems in the jaw joint. Furthermore, the aesthetic problems and speech disorders that may arise can also affect individuals' self-confidence. Implants are an ideal option for good oral health in individuals who have lost their teeth due to periodontal disease, decay, trauma, or other reasons.

In areas where teeth are missing, bone resorption (melting) occurs in the jawbone over time. The application of an implant following tooth extraction significantly reduces this amount of resorption. As it does not receive support from neighboring teeth, it is a more conservative application compared to traditional bridges. Implants are also used when a fixed prosthesis (like a crown or bridge) cannot be made in cases of missing teeth at the end of the jaw, when a removable prosthesis (inserted and removed by the person) is not preferred, or in completely edentulous (toothless) mouths where total prosthesis use becomes difficult due to jawbone atrophy and to prevent the prosthesis from moving in the mouth.

Individuals who are in good general health, have healthy gums and sufficient bone in the jawbone to support implants, and practice good oral hygiene have a high success rate in implant treatment. In some cases, the amount of bone is not sufficient for implant placement. If there is significant bone loss, implants can be placed by applying advanced techniques to provide a suitable foundation for implant placement.

• Individuals who have received radiotherapy to the head and neck region
• Young individuals who have not completed bone growth and development,
• Since smoking suppresses wound healing in the mouth and reduces implant success; heavy smokers are not suitable candidates for implants.
• For individuals with systemic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, hemophilia, and autoimmune diseases, or those using bisphosphonates, corticosteroids, or immunosuppressive drugs, implants can be applied if suitable conditions can be established in consultation with their doctors.

The implant procedure is generally performed in two stages. For a standard implant application not requiring advanced surgery, in the first stage, the area where the implant will be placed is anesthetized with local anesthesia, and then the gum is carefully lifted. A space for the implant is prepared in the bone according to the predetermined bone thickness and height, and the implant is placed. In the second stage of the implant application, after waiting a certain period for the implant to integrate with the bone (depending on the bone condition and the jaw), the covered implant is uncovered, the part that mimics the tooth is placed, and the prosthesis procedures begin.

For the implants to fuse with the bone (osseointegration) after placement, if no advanced procedures were performed, a bone healing period ranging from 1 to 6 months is required, depending on the patient's age, bone quality, and systemic condition. With the development of the surface properties of modern implants, if the implant has been placed with sufficient stability in the bone, temporary non-functional or, in some cases, functional implant-supported prostheses can be made. There are many factors that determine the timing of the prosthesis to be placed on the implant. Your dentist will determine the correct timing after a detailed evaluation, taking your expectations into account.

The local anesthesia we use during tooth extraction is sufficient for a painless procedure. In some medical necessities, and sometimes at the patient's request, conscious sedation or general anesthesia may be required. The painkiller we provide will be sufficient for you to have a comfortable post-operative period. Most of our patients report less discomfort than what is felt during a tooth extraction. After your treatments are finished, you will not even feel the presence of the implants in your mouth.

Like any intervention and any surgical procedure, implant surgery may have minor risks. Your dentist will provide you with detailed information. When everything is done correctly, it is a very safe treatment.

The implant is made of titanium or its alloys. It is not affected by oral fluids and is designed to withstand the forces that will occur in the mouth. The tissue-friendly property of titanium, coated with some special substances, has been enhanced, and the healing time has been shortened.

Research on surface properties has shown that titanium is tissue-friendly. Therefore, titanium has been used in implant production for a long time. Rejection of the implant by the body, i.e., tissue rejection, is not in question. However, factors such as infections developing during the healing period, lack of attention to oral hygiene by patients, and excessive alcohol and tobacco consumption can prevent the implant from integrating with the bone. Consequently, the implant may be lost. You can extend the life of your implants through regular dental check-ups and good oral hygiene.

Implants, like teeth, are related to the gum and bone, and disorders that may occur in these structures can affect implants. When good oral care is not practiced, the gum around the implants can become inflamed, leading to problems similar to gum disease in natural teeth, and even implant loss. When you apply proper oral care to the area around the implants, just as you do for your natural teeth, and attend routine check-ups, you can use your implants healthily for a long time.

Dental volumetric tomographies are computed tomographies produced only to image the jaw, face, and neck region. Therefore, all irradiation settings and support programs are designed for dental applications. In medical computed tomographies, while various parts of the human body are imaged, the necessary programs for dentistry in the jaw and face region are offered as an option, and most medical imaging centers do not have these programs. ,

Furthermore, since dentists are trained in treatments related to their profession, they are more successful in interpreting tomographic images of the region within their field. Besides, dental volumetric tomographies produce less ionizing radiation. Therefore, they are more compliant with radiation protection principles.

Dental treatments show a great variety, and many patients may have multiple treatment needs. Correct planning of these treatments provides more comfortable and shorter treatment processes. Also, a complete treatment plan may not always be possible. Therefore, it is decided during this examination which treatments should be prioritized.

The basis of treatment planning is diagnosis. Various laboratory tests can be used to reach an accurate diagnosis and especially to differentiate between diseases that show similar symptoms. The planning of these tests before the treatment plan also occurs during the first examination.

It is clear that the oral, jaw, and facial region is not an independent area from the human body. While various systemic diseases may show symptoms in and around the mouth, their treatments are sometimes carried out by the relevant medical specialties. Again, when the presence of systemic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, which adversely affect planned dental treatments or are adversely affected by dental treatments, is known or even suspected, referring the patient to the relevant specialist is also a practice performed during the first examination.

The term Endodontics is derived from the Greek words "Endo" (inside) and "odont" (tooth). As can be understood from this definition, endodontics is the branch of science that intervenes in and solves problems related to the inner parts of the teeth. More precisely, endodontics is the branch of dentistry concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases related to the dental pulp (the living tissue containing the nerve-vessel bundle) and the tissues surrounding the tooth.

Dentists who, after graduating from the faculty of dentistry, complete a 3 or 5-year specialization or doctoral education in endodontics, specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of dental pain and related pulp and periapical tissue diseases, and other endodontic treatment applications, are called endodontists.

General dentists who graduate from the faculty of dentistry also receive theoretical and practical training in root canal treatment and treat endodontic patients; however, they refer more complicated or difficult cases to an endodontist.

The main goal of dentistry is to maintain the continuity of the patient's chewing function by keeping the teeth in the mouth. The parts of the teeth visible in the mouth are called the crown, and the parts remaining within the jawbone are called the root. The crown parts of the teeth are surrounded by the gum. Teeth are composed of hard and soft tissues. The hard tissues in the crown part of the tooth are the enamel on the outer surface and the dentin tissue beneath it. The root part is covered by cementum on the outside and again dentin tissue underneath. This hard tissue complex, consisting of enamel, cementum, and dentin, surrounds a cavity containing connective tissue that houses vessels and nerves. This cavity is called the pulp cavity, and the connective tissue within it is called the pulp. The pulp is the tissue responsible for the tooth's development, nutrition, and defense, giving the tooth its vitality.

The pulp can become inflamed or infected due to various reasons or the settlement of microorganisms. In this case, the pulp tissue must be removed, and the canal space must be cleaned, shaped, and filled with tissue-friendly root canal filling materials. This set of procedures is defined as root canal treatment.

• Differential diagnosis and treatment of oro-facial pain (mouth-face pain) originating from pulp and periapical tissue
• Prevention of pulp diseases and vital pulp therapies
• Root canal treatment
• Repetition of root canal treatment in case of endodontic failure (Retreatment)
• Treatment of teeth subjected to dental trauma
• Endodontic surgical applications
• Whitening of endodontically treated teeth
• Placement of a post into the root canal space to enable coronal restorations
• Supportive endodontic treatments for prosthetic, periodontal, and orthodontic therapies

"Bacteria are the main factor in pulp diseases." Bacteria are present in every person's mouth, and under normal conditions, they do not cause any harm. However, some of them metabolize sugary foods or drinks and produce acid. These acids damage the enamel and dentin. When cavities formed in this way are left untreated, bacteria advance to the pulp tissue beneath the dentin, causing it to become inflamed.

Another factor that damages the pulp is trauma to the tooth. As a result of a severe blow to the tooth, blood circulation can be cut off, and thus the pulp tissue may lose its vitality over time. Chronic trauma to the tooth (such as high restorations, trauma due to clenching/grinding) can also cause the pulp to become inflamed or lose its vitality.

Another factor threatening the pulp is the presence of untreated periodontal (gum and surrounding) disease around the tooth for a long time. Bacteria can harm the tooth's pulp through tiny lateral canals opening to the root surface via the gum pocket.

• Deep cavities, recurrent cavities under previously made fillings or crown prostheses (veneers),
• Persistence of the patient's complaints after fillings or crowns are applied to the teeth,
• Crown/root fractures in teeth resulting from trauma,
• Damage to the dental pulp as a result of the patient's chewing habits or non-functional movements such as teeth grinding,
• Pulp damage following advanced gum diseases or gum operations,
• Determination that the pulp has lost its vitality.
• Root canal treatment may be necessary for the prosthetic restoration of crooked teeth.
• During the extraction of wisdom teeth or the removal of large cysts within the jawbone, neighboring teeth may also require root canal treatment.

• Spontaneous pain in the tooth,
• Pain that increases at night and does not subside even with painkillers,
• Prolonged pain triggered by an external stimulus such as cold, hot, or contact with the tooth,
• Swelling around the tooth, in the gum, and/or in the relevant lymph nodes,
• A fistula formed as a result of the tooth being infected, or discoloration in the tooth.

However, teeth that have lost their vitality may not cause any complaints. This situation should not be perceived as a lack of need for root canal treatment.

Root canal treatment is a procedure that lasts approximately 1 hour on average. The stages in this process are, respectively:

• Anesthetizing the tooth and surrounding tissues with local anesthesia,
• Isolating the tooth from surrounding tissues,
• Preparing the endodontic cavity for access to the root canals,
• Determining the working length in the root canal,
• Reshaping the root canal space,
• Cleaning and disinfecting the root canal space,
• Filling the root canals in a leak-proof manner.

At least 2 radiographs of the tooth are taken during this procedure. This number may increase in some cases. In cases where the tooth has lost its vitality, it is necessary to apply an antiseptic substance to the root canals following the shaping and cleaning of the tooth during root canal treatment.

Root canal treatment does not cause pain; on the contrary, it is applied to relieve pain. The tooth to be treated and the surrounding tissues are anesthetized with local anesthesia. The patient does not feel pain during the treatment. However, in some cases, the patient may feel slight discomfort. This problem is easily overcome by administering supplementary anesthesia.

In cases where the patient has no general health problems, it is not necessary for the patient to use antibiotics before root canal treatment. However, in cases where the patient has a known heart condition, diabetes, or is using immunosuppressive drugs, it may be necessary to use antibiotics before the treatment.

It is essential to complete the root canal treatment on a vital-pulp tooth in a single session. However, in cases where the tooth has lost its vitality, there is an infection at the root tip, or the root canal treatment is being repeated, the number of sessions may be two or more.

Since the pulp of a tooth that has undergone root canal treatment is removed, there is no question of pain in the tooth in response to external stimuli such as cold-hot. If there was pain or inflammation in the relevant tooth before the treatment, it is normal to feel mild pain in the first few days following the treatment, especially in situations where pressure is applied to the tooth, such as chewing.

Depending on the problem with the tooth, root canal treatment is often completed in 1-2 sessions. It is normal for the patient to feel discomfort in the tooth for the first 2-3 days after the treatment. The patient can use painkillers as recommended by the dentist. In some cases, the patient may need to use antibiotics to support the treatment. The patient can return to normal life after the treatment; however, they should not eat any food until the numbness in the tooth and the area has passed. In addition, they should avoid chewing hard foods until the tooth's upper restoration is completed. The patient can reach the dentist 24/7 via the provided phone numbers in case of any problems.

After root canal treatment, the crown part of the tooth needs to be permanently restored. The repair of the hard tissue loss in the tooth and the restoration of the tooth play a key role in the success of the root canal treatment. A tooth restored with appropriate techniques after a successful root canal treatment can serve the patient for many years, even a lifetime. However, it should not be forgotten that the patient's oral hygiene must be adequate.

No prosthesis can fully replace a natural tooth. It is much more cost-effective to restore an inflamed tooth with root canal treatment and appropriate restoration instead of extracting it and replacing it with an implant or a bridge prosthesis.

Due to the removal of the pulp tissue that provides the tooth's vitality and the significant loss of tooth structure, the treated tooth becomes more susceptible to fracture. Attention should be paid to this situation when deciding whether to place a filling or a crown on the tooth for the upper restoration.

Teeth that have undergone root canal treatment can remain in the mouth for many years, allowing for the continuity of chewing function and the achievement of an aesthetically pleasing appearance. A tooth with a well-performed root canal treatment can be used for a lifetime with proper oral and dental care. Regular oral and dental care should be performed, and dental examinations should not be neglected to prevent the risk of new cavities forming in the treated tooth.

The success rate of well-performed root canal treatments is around 90-95%. However, in cases where there is bacterial leakage into the root canals due to reasons such as the formation of a new cavity in the tooth or a fracture in the tooth's filling, depending on the patient's oral hygiene, the root canals may become infected again.

During root canal treatment, although very rare, complications such as:

• Instrument fracture in the root canals
• Extrusion of the canal filling material beyond the root
• Extrusion of canal irrigation solutions beyond the root
• Tooth fracture
• Formation of a perforation in the root canal (drilling through the tooth)

may be encountered.

Orthodontic treatment can be done at any age, but different types of treatments are applied according to the characteristics of each age. Orthodontic treatment may be necessary for a newborn with a cleft palate, just as it can be for a 60-year-old individual with irregular teeth due to gum recession. During the period when milk teeth are still in the mouth, treatment is usually done with removable appliances (plates), while at all ages when permanent teeth are in the mouth, treatments are done with fixed braces attached to the teeth.

When orthodontic braces are in the mouth, greater care than ever must be given to cleaning the teeth. It is easy to clean a flat tooth surface with a brush. However, a tooth surface with a bracket attached creates indentations where bacteria can adhere. It is much harder for a normal brush to reach these areas. Therefore, special brushes like an orthodontic brush, interdental brush, single-tuft gum brush, and additionally, stiff-ended dental floss that can be passed under the wire, an oral irrigator (water flosser), high-fluoride toothpaste, and mouthwashes are used.

When orthodontic braces are in the mouth, greater care than ever must be given to cleaning the teeth. It is easy to clean a flat tooth surface with a brush. However, a tooth surface with a bracket attached creates indentations where bacteria can adhere. It is much harder for a normal brush to reach these areas. Therefore, special brushes like an orthodontic brush, interdental brush, single-tuft gum brush, and additionally, stiff-ended dental floss that can be passed under the wire, an oral irrigator (water flosser), high-fluoride toothpaste, and mouthwashes are used.

If just correcting the teeth is sufficient, all kinds of treatment can be done without wearing a "headgear," with the help of mini-screws if necessary. However, especially at ages when growth and development are ongoing, in cases where we are also trying to correct the positions of the jawbones, there are almost no other treatment tools that can replace the headgear, neckband, and face mask. If these are not used, or even if they are used but are not successful, jaw surgeries (orthognathic surgery) may be needed at ages when growth has finished.

Our teeth are in motion throughout our lives. Therefore, even if orthodontic treatment yields very good results, the teeth can shift again over time. The first few years after treatment are the time frame when relapses most frequently occur. To ensure the permanence of the obtained treatment result, various precautions must be taken, some rules must be followed for life, and a check-up with the orthodontist every 6 months is necessary.

To stabilize the front teeth, which relapse the most, a thin wire is bonded behind them. It is desired that this wire remains in place for life, if possible. As a second retainer, a plate (removable retainer) that fits all the teeth is made.

Additionally, wisdom teeth (20-year-old teeth) that do not have space to erupt in the mouth can push the lower front teeth while trying to erupt. Therefore, they may need to be extracted.

Children should be taken to a dentist, preferably a pedodontist, by the time they are 1 year old at the latest, after their teeth start to erupt, even if there are no problems. This way, they will get used to the environment, and their parents will be informed about how to prevent various problems before they occur.

Milk teeth fall out when their time comes and are replaced by permanent teeth; however, when they decay, they cause problems such as pain, abscess, bad breath, and nutritional problems. If they are extracted prematurely, problems such as crowding in the teeth, speech, and chewing issues arise. Therefore, decayed milk teeth should be treated and kept in the mouth until it is time for them to fall out.

In this case, find the tooth as soon as possible and hold it, being careful not to touch the root. Preserve the tooth in milk filled in a clean container and go to a dentist immediately

Young children are generally afraid of the dentist. Pedodontists (pediatric dentists) use certain techniques to establish good communication with children. However, if success cannot be achieved this way, sedation techniques are used to help children relax. In more advanced cases, especially in patients with general health problems or disabilities, dental treatments are completed under general anesthesia.

Children usually suck their thumbs until they are 3-4 years old; this is a normal situation. It generally stops on its own. In children who still suck their thumbs after starting school, some dental problems may arise. Therefore, it is beneficial to consult a pedodontist and take the necessary precautions

Periodontal disease occurs when all or part of the teeth and their surrounding tissues are affected. If you have sensitive, swollen, red, bleeding gums that have persisted for a while, accompanied by tooth sensitivity, loose teeth, and bad breath, you may also have periodontal disease. Research has shown that when this serious infection is not treated, besides causing tooth loss, it is also a risk factor in the development of heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, respiratory diseases, and in the birth of premature or low birth weight babies.

Inadequate oral hygiene and the resulting microbial plaque buildup on the teeth are the main factors. Genetic factors, systemic diseases, and smoking are also known to be effective in the onset or progression of the disease.

• Red, swollen, and tender gums or pain in the mouth
• Bleeding gums when brushing and flossing, or when eating hard foods
• Gums receding and pulling away from the teeth, making the teeth appear longer than before
• Increasing spaces between teeth
• Pus between the tooth and the gum
• Sensitivity in the mouth
• Persistent bad breath
• Feeling a change in the position of the teeth when biting
• Changes in the fit of fixed or removable prostheses

Bleeding gums when you brush, bite into something, or spontaneously, and complaints of bad breath are among the most common symptoms of gum inflammation. In gingivitis, the mildest form of the disease, the gums are swollen and red. They bleed easily. The cause is usually inadequate oral hygiene. The patient often feels no discomfort. This situation facilitates the progression of the disease. When the disease is not treated, it can lead to tooth loss due to the erosion of the bone around the teeth. If you think you are experiencing these symptoms, consult a dentist without delay.

When gingivitis, the mildest form of the disease, is not treated, it can affect other tissues surrounding the tooth and turn into periodontitis. The plaque on the teeth spreads and progresses below the gumline. The bacteria in the plaque produce various toxins. These toxins stimulate the body's chronic inflammatory response, causing the destruction of the tissues and bone that support the tooth. The inflamed gum separates from the tooth and forms a pocket. The disease mostly progresses slowly. As the disease progresses, the pocket deepens, and bone loss increases. As the tooth loses its support, it begins to loosen, and eventually, the teeth are lost. If you feel your teeth are loose, consult a dentist as soon as possible.

Due to the erosion of the underlying bone as a result of inflammation in the gums, you may notice gum recession and an elongation in the length of your teeth. Spaces may form between your teeth, and you may feel your teeth loosening as bone support decreases. This situation is an indicator of gum disease. Consult a dentist as soon as possible to get information.

Gum recession can occur due to bone loss associated with inflammation; however, incorrect brushing and bad habits can also cause gum recession and root surface exposure without bone loss. Recessions can lead to sensitivity, root cavities, and aesthetic problems. After the cause is determined, your dentist will inform you about the necessary treatment.