When dental decay is deep, it affects the dental nerves which in turn get inflamed. This results in a raging toothache.

When that is the case, the dentist needs to treat the root canals and expose the nerves and eliminate the infection. It means that root canal treatment is required.

Immediately after this treatment, the root canals will be sealed off (water/air tight) so that no bacteria can re-enter the root ends.

In order to seal the treated area, the affected tooth will need to be root filled and crowned.

There are two types of crowns. A metallic crown will cost in the region of €300 whilst an aesthetic ceramic crown will be more expensive, in the region of €540 – 620.

When a tooth cannot be saved

In some cases it happens that a tooth is too severely damaged to be saved.

The only solution is then to have it extracted. The extraction takes place under local anesthetic and is painless.

Sometimes the affected area, especially in the case of smokers, can be sensitive but this is unusual.

It is necessary to replace the missing tooth as soon as possible. This will provide the ability to chew properly and avoid the “domino effect” of displacing the surrounding teeth and damaging them.

If the teeth on each side of the extracted tooth are intact, it is better to have a dental implant to replace the missing tooth than to have a bridge (which is incidentally not reimbursed by Social Security) which could damage the adjoining teeth.

Sometimes, if many teeth are to be replaced, there is a choice. It is possible to have more than one implant providing the an assessment has been made to determine that there is enough bone for this procedure. Alternatively one can have a large, hard dental bridge although this is not always possible or even desired. It is possible to have removable dentures, made of steel and a resin called “stellite”.

VERY IMPORTANT

Even if the remaining teeth are intact but the patient doesn’t, at that time, have the means to have implants it is possible to replace the missing teeth with “stellite” dentures. The advantage is that it does not damage the supporting teeth. Using partial “stellite” dentures for many years does not prevent having dental implants at a later date. The dentures will maintain the ability to chew properly and also visually and vocally. This will give the patient some time to save up to have implants in the future should they wish.

Finally, sometimes there are no teeth left, although this is less common these days, and the only solution, apart from full implants, is full dentures. This is often the case for older and overweight patients and surgical implants are prescribed.

On the other had placing two or three implants in the lower jaw provides increased and excellent comfort.

The information on this website is provided to support and improve knowledge but is is certainly not intended to replace the direct relationship between the patient ans the dental surgeon.