“Why is it so expensive to treat teeth? Do I need to floss? " 10 questions to the dentist and answers to them

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

A qualified expert answers.

What's happening?

Lifehacker has a “” section, within which we launched a thematic day: we will invite a special guest who will answer your questions.

This time you asked about dentistry. We chose the most interesting ones, and our invited guest, dentist and surgeon Maxim Vinokurov, answered them.

Is it true that malocclusion can be corrected only before adolescence?

A malocclusion can take two forms.

1. Dental form - pathological closure is formed due to improper positioning of teeth, lack or overcompleteness, their abnormal size or improper development of the dentoalveolar process - the part of the oral cavity from where the teeth grow.

2. Skeletal form - Incorrect closing of the teeth causes the size or position of the jaws. Moreover, it is more difficult to correct this bite form than dental anomalies.

When they say that it is possible to correct a malocclusion only before adolescence, then, most likely, they mean precisely the skeletal shape. This is because during the growth phase, it is relatively easy to deal with the disorders associated with bone development.

In adulthood, it is possible to cure a bite with braces only in the absence of pathology on the part of the jaws. If it is, then the operation is indicated: it will no longer be possible to change the size, shape or position of the jaw without surgery. In Moscow, such an operation will cost about 500,000 rubles. Therefore, it is better to be observed by an orthodontist from school age, or even earlier.

Why is dental treatment so expensive?

Because the cost of dental treatment is directly related to the costs of the clinic. This includes staff salaries, the cost of consumables, equipment and room rent, and taxes.

For example, one dental unit costs like a car, and a CT scanner costs like an expensive SUV. In addition, in specialty stores, everything that has the "dental" prefix is several times more expensive than its analogue.

If you enter "office chair" and "dental chair" in the search engine, then the price of the first one will start from 3,999 rubles, and the second - already from 6,900 rubles. Moreover, the latter is the worst Chinese option. And the next position starts from 17,000 rubles.

One can talk on this topic for a long time, but the pricing mechanism is fully consistent with economic principles, and is not taken from the ceiling, as it seems to some.

Is xylitol chewing gum beneficial?

The benefits of it are no more and no less than from other sugar-free gum. There is evidence of a weak anti-carious effect of xylitol, and this is where its positive aspects end.

How dangerous are veneers and what you need to know before installing them?

This technology is harmless and no different from installing crowns or inlays from the same material. But the danger appears when you bet them for the sake of fashion or for stocks. If you are offered ultra-thin veneers or the no-grind option, things can end badly for two reasons.

1. Health. Under normal conditions, 0, 3–2 mm of tooth enamel is removed for veneer installation so that they do not protrude from the dentition and look beautiful and natural. And you should understand that even the thinnest overlay that I offer you for the promotion also has a certain thickness - for example, 0.2 mm. Add a layer of glue - that's another 0.1–0.2 millimeters. That is, this veneer will protrude forward already by 0, 3–0, 4 mm.

This is not so scary, but it can protrude to the same thickness in the direction of the antagonist tooth. The same tooth in the opposite jaw. - believe me, this is very tangible. Add the same amount of millimeters from the side of the antagonist teeth, and you get a change in the position of the jaw in the joint, pain when closing, and impaired diction.

2. Aesthetics. Thin veneers can also look bad. If you look at photographs of natural teeth on the Internet or at your own in a mirror from a close distance, you can see that they are not uniformly white, but multi-layered, with textures, transparent surface layers and less transparent deep ones. And to simulate such a three-dimensional optical structure, the dental technician needs a certain thickness of the material.

Which bristle brush is best for brushing your teeth?

Unless your dentist recommends otherwise, you should use a medium-hard brush. The doctor may advise a model with soft bristles if you have gum bleeding, and if you have severe gums, with increased formation of tartar or if you abuse tea or cigarettes.

Do I need to floss?

Yes, but carefully following the recommendations for its use. Otherwise, the thread will work like Garrote's garrot - an execution instrument in the form of a noose with a stick, with which the executioner killed the victim through suffocation for the gums.

When using dental floss, it is worth cleaning both contact surfaces of the teeth. You don't need to put pressure on your gums. Discomfort and pain are a sign that you are doing something wrong.

A clean section of floss should be used for each interdental space. To do this, wind a 50 cm piece around one of your fingers, and gradually rewind it to the other as you brush. As once the tape was rewound on cassettes.

Are electric toothbrushes really better than conventional toothbrushes?

Electric toothbrushes are a wonderful gadget that allows you to maintain a decent level of oral hygiene. And many dentists are happy to use them themselves.

The most common models are oscillating and audible. There are also ultrasonic brushes, but I can't say anything about their effectiveness. In our industry, research is mostly bespoke and difficult to trust.

But it can be difficult to buy consumable components for them, and this is important when choosing a device that needs to be refreshed every 1-2 months.

What you need to know about teeth whitening?

Like any medical procedure, teeth whitening requires a consultation with a doctor to assess the risks and personal nuances.

Bleaching chemicals are quite strong oxidizing agents. Careless work with them can lead to soft tissue burns and increased sensitivity of the teeth. And in severe cases, bleach can irreversibly damage the tooth structure.

You also need to keep in mind that if you have fillings or have a crown or veneer on one of your teeth, they will not bleach. And you get a pronounced difference in color, spotting.

So whitening is not harmful when performed in the clinic by professionals. If you want to whiten your teeth at home, then be careful with recipes from the Internet and be sure to carry out the procedure under the strict supervision of a doctor. This also applies to special whitening strips.

What to choose if one tooth is missing: bridge or implantation?

In the vast majority of cases - implantation. The structure of the bone in which the implant is placed is restored. But the enamel of the teeth, which are sharpened under the bridge prosthesis, is not. And we condemn healthy teeth to certain death.

Is there a real benefit to an oral irrigator?

Irrigator - a useful device The irrigator is a home device for removing plaque and food debris from the interdental spaces. but it does not replace a toothpaste brush. It is better to use it before brushing your teeth so that the paste remaining after the procedure has time to exert its effect on the enamel.