Dear Sir/Madam! I would like to ask the following. Is a “treated tooth” really a dead tooth in which, at the end of the “treatment”, only the main canal is filled, while the remaining tiny nerve endings over time become a breeding ground for bacteria? I have three such so-called dead teeth; two have ceramic crowns and one is only filled. I have read that dead teeth are often also the cause of various gangrenes, autoimmune diseases, etc. Since I have problems of this kind, I am looking for possible causes. Are dental implants really the only alternative if the missing teeth were important for chewing? What is the lifespan of such an implant in the jaw bone? The price is admittedly quite high for ordinary people, but could you nevertheless give me some advice, since I have already postponed my cycling trips several times because of my teeth? Thank you for your answer.

Dear Sir/Madam!A non-vital tooth (treated or not) theoretically represents a focus that could be the cause of another disease. Whether such a tooth truly represents the risk described cannot at present be determined using conventional methods. We can only infer what is happening with a certain probability, which is of course greater when demonstrable parameters (X-ray, local clinical symptoms...) show some pathological process. If we decide to extract such a tooth, it can be replaced in several possible ways: conventional fixed or removable prosthetic treatment (denture, bridge), or with a dental implant. Statistically, the ten-year survival rate of an implant is more than 90%.Have a nice day!

Hello, about a year ago my lower first molar became inflamed; the tooth had already previously been opened. The dentist cleaned the root canals and placed medication inside. There was a small swelling on the outside of the gum the whole time. I was supposed to return after two months, but I kept postponing it. She said that the tooth was dead, but I still felt pain on pressure, and a few weeks ago the swelling became larger. The dentist extracted the tooth; most of the swelling went down, but a lump remains. It is quite visible when I yawn, for example, is about the size of a pea and moves. Even the dentist remarked that it reminded her of a lymph node. More than a week has passed since the procedure, and it does not look as though it will disappear soon. Is there any reason for concern?

Dear Sir/Madam!Certain changes such as swelling or changes in the shape of the alveolar ridge can persist for quite some time after the procedure. One week is certainly not a period in which all changes would be expected to disappear. The swelling will probably resolve after about fourteen days, while final remodeling of the bony ridge can take up to six months. If the wound becomes infected, the healing period may be considerably prolonged. Based on what you have written, I do not think there is reason for concern.Have a nice day!

Dentist - Your questions

Visitor asks:

Dear Sir/Madam! I would like to ask the following. Is a “treated tooth” really a dead tooth in which, at the end of the “treatment”, only the main canal is filled, while the remaining tiny nerve endings over time become a breeding ground for bacteria? I have three such so-called dead teeth; two have ceramic crowns and

Dentist Tomaž Rotar answers:

Dear Sir/Madam! A non-vital tooth (treated or not) theoretically represents a focus that could be the cause of another disease. Whether such a tooth truly represents the risk described cannot at present be determined using conventional methods. We can only infer what is happening

Visitor asks:

Hello, I am 19 years old and my teeth are crooked, especially the front ones. One tooth is so crooked that the whole tooth hurts and I also have very unpleasant pain extending toward my nose. This probably happened because my wisdom teeth erupted and pushed the tooth even farther forward. I would like to know whether a

Dentist Tomaž Rotar answers:

Dear Sir/Madam! If you have not yet started orthodontic treatment or if you discontinued it of your own accord, the insurance does not cover it. Have a nice day!

Visitor asks:

Hello! I am Meta from Ljubljana. I have a “problem”; I found your address on the website and understood that you also work under the concession scheme. Since I returned to Slovenia a few years ago, I do not have my “own” dentist in a public clinic. I occasionally visit a private dentist, where the services are paid for

Dentist Tomaž Rotar answers:

Dear Sir/Madam! At our practice, prosthetic rehabilitation can be carried out if it is a right covered by ZZZS. Have a nice day!

Visitor asks:

Hello, about a year ago my lower first molar became inflamed; the tooth had already previously been opened. The dentist cleaned the root canals and placed medication inside. There was a small swelling on the outside of the gum the whole time. I was supposed to return after two months, but I kept postponing it. She said

Dentist Tomaž Rotar answers:

Dear Sir/Madam! Certain changes such as swelling or changes in the shape of the alveolar ridge can persist for quite some time after the procedure. One week is certainly not a period in which all changes would be expected to disappear. The swelling will probably resolve after abo

Visitor asks:

Hello! Fifteen years ago I received a blow to the lower central incisors, and cysts developed at both roots. After surgery they recurred twice and now for a third time, so both lower central incisors have to be removed. After talking to my dentist about implants, she said that in my case a bridge would be the better pr

Dentist Tomaž Rotar answers:

Dear Sir/Madam! At the location you describe, the anatomical conditions and bone density are usually very favorable for implantology. If the teeth are replaced with dental implants, there is no need to grind the neighboring teeth, so the procedure is more suitable. The aesthetic

Visitor asks:

Hello, I would like to know how long the gums need to return to their original position after an apicoectomy performed on both upper central incisors. The feeling and appearance suggest that the dentist who did this to me could also work in a butcher's shop... Thank you for your answer!

Dentist Tomaž Rotar answers:

Dear Sir/Madam! The wound after a surgical procedure should heal relatively quickly, within seven to ten days. Complete remodeling of the bone in the surgical area takes considerably longer, four to six months. If postoperative complications occur, such as prolonged inflammation

Visitor asks:

Judging from your answers, I imagine you are an exceptionally kind dentist. I would like to know (I am from Ljubljana) how long I would have to wait with you for an upper denture — I currently have no upper teeth, while I still have the lower ones — under the concession system, of course. Thank you very much for your t

Dentist Tomaž Rotar answers:

Dear Sir/Madam! We are enrolling new patients in the first half of next year. Have a nice day!

Visitor asks:

My husband's dentist made him a partial upper denture, but every time he puts it in his mouth he vomits and cannot wear it. What is the cause? Thank you for your answer and kind regards.

Dentist Tomaž Rotar answers:

Dear Sir/Madam! The cause is a strong gag reflex. This varies greatly between people; sword swallowers can put five knives down their throat, while others feel like vomiting merely at the thought of it. For your husband, the denture should be shortened somewhat if possible. In th

Visitor asks:

About 10 years ago my upper left lateral incisor was removed. A bridge was made using the canine. About a month ago the area around the bridge started to be sensitive when touched by cold. The dentist removed the bridge and removed the nerve from the canine. I had no pain for two weeks, but then the tooth started to be

Dentist Tomaž Rotar answers:

Dear Sir/Madam! Based on what you have written, I believe root canal treatment on the canine has been completed. It follows that the canine cannot be sensitive in the sense of sharp sensitivity to cold, heat, sweet or sour, in short to changes in temperature and osmotic pressure.

Visitor asks:

Hello! I would like to know what the prices of complete dentures are like in Slovenia. Do I have to pay for these dentures myself, or are they covered by insurance? What is the waiting time for these dentures? Thank you sincerely for your answer! Jerneja

Dentist Tomaž Rotar answers:

Dear Sir/Madam! If you are registered with a dentist, that dentist can provide you with a complete denture whose fabrication is covered by insurance. You must ask individual dentists about their waiting times. Private prices differ between clinicians. In our practice the price of

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