Conservative Dentistry Gdańsk

Conservative dentistry focuses on saving and maintaining natural teeth through caries treatment, fillings, inlays, and preventive measures. Its goal is to preserve one's own dentition in the best possible condition throughout life. Prosthetics, on the other hand, deals with replacing lost teeth using crowns, bridges, dentures, or implants – i.e., restoring deficiencies that can no longer be conservatively supplemented. Aesthetic dentistry focuses primarily on improving the appearance of the smile (veneers, bonding, whitening), although it often uses the same techniques as conservative dentistry. In practice, these fields overlap – for example, modern composite fillings serve both caries treatment and aesthetic improvement. At Prodent Gdańsk, the priority is always to preserve natural teeth, and we treat prosthetics and aesthetics as a supplement when conservative tooth protection is no longer sufficient.

Yes, the ICON method is a scientifically documented technology that effectively stops caries at the initial stage (white spots, enamel demineralization). It works by infiltrating a special liquid resin material into the microporous structure of damaged enamel, filling the spaces created by demineralization and forming a barrier against bacteria. The procedure is completely painless, requires no anesthesia or drilling, takes about 15-20 minutes, and can be performed even on young children. The ICON method is particularly effective for white spots after orthodontic treatment, incipient interproximal caries, and demineralization on smooth tooth surfaces. The condition for effectiveness is early detection of the lesion – if the caries has already crossed the enamel boundary and penetrated the dentin, traditional treatment with a dental drill is necessary. Therefore, regular check-ups are so important, as they allow catching the problem at a stage where it can be treated completely non-invasively.

Modern, latest-generation composite fillings, such as those made with GC G-aenial, Gradia, or Enamel materials, typically last 10-15 years, and with proper hygiene and avoidance of excessive stress, they can function for over 20 years. Durability depends on several factors: the location of the filling (molars are exposed to greater chewing forces), the size of the cavity (small fillings are more durable than large reconstructions), the quality of the material and precision of execution, as well as patient hygiene and lifestyle habits. People who grind their teeth (bruxism), bite hard objects, consume many staining beverages, or smoke cigarettes may experience faster wear. Regular check-ups allow for early detection of micro-damage and performing a small repair instead of replacing the entire filling. It is worth knowing that modern composites are many times more durable than those from 20-30 years ago – thanks to advances in dental materials science, they have achieved mechanical strength comparable to ceramics, while maintaining elasticity similar to natural tooth tissues.

A fiberglass post is a prefabricated or custom-fitted rod made of glass fibers bonded with composite resin, which is inserted into the tooth's root canal to strengthen it before composite or prosthetic restoration. It is necessary when the tooth has been severely damaged by caries or after root canal treatment, when so little tissue remains that a composite restoration alone would not be sufficiently strong. The post acts as a kind of skeleton that strengthens the tooth from the inside and evenly disperses chewing forces, significantly reducing the risk of root fracture. Unlike metal crown-root posts, fiberglass posts (Fiber Kor, Rely, Rebilda) are adhesively bonded to the tooth structure, meaning they form an integral whole with it instead of being merely mechanically seated. Additionally, they have an elasticity modulus similar to dentin, which protects the roots from overload. Aesthetically, they are also superior – they are white, so they do not show through the gum or crown, which is important especially in the aesthetic zone (front teeth). The entire procedure, including restoration, usually takes one visit.

At Prodent Gdańsk, we use all available means to ensure that conservative treatment is completely painless. We use computer-controlled anesthesia with TheWand and SliperOne, which delivers the anesthetic in a controlled manner, eliminating the unpleasant feeling of tissue distension. Before each injection, we apply an anesthetic gel to the gum, making even the injection itself practically imperceptible. All anesthesia at Prodent is free of charge – it is a standard, not an extra for which you have to pay. After the procedure, temporary tooth sensitivity may occur for a few hours or days, which is a natural tissue reaction to the intervention, but in the vast majority of cases, patients do not experience any discomfort. In rare situations of deep caries close to the nerve, temporary sensitization after the procedure is possible, but it usually resolves spontaneously. If, despite anesthesia, the patient feels pain during the procedure, we immediately stop the procedure and apply an additional dose of anesthetic. Our priority is patient comfort – no procedure should be painful.

We typically recommend check-up visits every 6 months. During such a visit, the dentist performs a detailed oral examination, assesses the condition of fillings and prosthetic restorations, detects early signs of caries, checks the condition of the gums, and, if necessary, performs a digital X-ray. Regular check-ups allow for early detection of problems when they can be resolved with minimal invasiveness – e.g., stopping incipient caries with the ICON method without drilling, repairing a small crack in a filling, removing dental calculus before periodontitis develops. For individuals with an increased risk of caries (dry mouth, orthodontic treatment, diet rich in sugars, malocclusion, bruxism) and patients with periodontal disease, we recommend visits every 3-4 months. For children and adolescents, where caries develops faster, we also recommend more frequent check-ups. People with very good hygiene, no fillings, and no problems can come once a year, but this is rare – most patients need at least two visits per year. Remember that a check-up visit is not only an examination but also professional oral hygiene (scaling, sandblasting), which is essential for maintaining gum health.

Modern, latest-generation composite fillings, such as GC G-aenial, Gradia, or Enamel, are characterized by very high color stability and practically do not discolor with normal use. However, they may undergo superficial discoloration due to intense exposure to dyes contained in coffee, tea, red wine, curry, and other intensely staining products, especially in smokers. Such superficial discolorations can be removed during professional cleaning (polishing) by a dental hygienist. Fillings made with older composites or lower-quality materials may indeed discolor more, which is why it is worth investing in top-class materials. At Prodent, we use only proven, certified materials from reputable manufacturers. The technique of execution is also very important – proper polishing of the filling surface minimizes dye retention. If, despite everything, the filling has significantly discolored, it can be replaced or the top layer can be restored. It is worth remembering that natural enamel also discolors with age, so an ideally color-matched filling will age similarly to natural teeth.

Yes, caries treatment during pregnancy is possible and often necessary, as untreated carious lesions can be a source of infection threatening both the mother and the child. The best time for dental procedures is the second trimester of pregnancy (months 4-6), when the fetus is stable, and the abdomen does not yet hinder comfortable positioning in the dental chair. In the first trimester, when key organogenesis processes occur, and in the third, when lying on the back for extended periods can be uncomfortable, we limit ourselves to urgent procedures. Anesthesia used in dentistry (e.g., lidocaine with adrenaline in low concentration) is safe for pregnancy – the anesthetic acts locally and does not cross the placenta in concentrations that could harm the fetus. At Prodent, X-rays are performed only in absolutely necessary situations, always using a lead apron to protect the abdomen. Digital X-rays emit small doses of radiation, significantly less than traditional X-rays. Antibiotics (amoxicillin, clindamycin) and painkillers (paracetamol) are allowed during pregnancy, and we prescribe them if necessary. Prevention before pregnancy is ideal, but if a problem arises – do not wait, schedule a consultation.

Temporary sensitivity after a filling is normal and usually resolves spontaneously within a few days to two weeks. The tooth may have been irritated during cavity preparation, and the pulp (nerve) needs time to calm down. During this period, the tooth may react to cold, heat, sweet, sour, and biting. We recommend avoiding very cold and hot drinks and chewing hard foods on the side of the treated tooth. You can use toothpastes for sensitive teeth (e.g., Sensodyne, Elmex Sensitive) and gels that reduce hypersensitivity. If the pain does not subside after 2 weeks, intensifies instead of decreasing, wakes you up at night, or is very severe, you should report to Prodent for a check-up. The causes can vary: the filling may be too high and require bite adjustment, there may be a micro-gap between the filling and the tooth wall (secondary caries), or the caries was so deep that despite biological treatment, the pulp did not recover, and root canal treatment is necessary. In most cases, a small adjustment is sufficient, and the problem resolves. Do not tolerate chronic pain – something can always be done.

Untreated caries never resolves spontaneously – it always deepens, leading to increasingly serious consequences. Initially, it attacks the enamel, creating a small, painless cavity that is easy to fill. As bacteria penetrate deeper, hypersensitivity appears, followed by severe, throbbing pain requiring root canal treatment, a post, and a crown. Further neglect leads to an abscess, swelling, and often tooth extraction. Tooth loss triggers a domino effect – adjacent teeth tilt, the bite is disturbed, bone loss occurs, and a costly implant becomes necessary. Caries is also a source of chronic bacterial infection that increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and pregnancy complications. In children, untreated caries disrupts jaw development and necessitates later orthodontic treatment. The longer you wait, the more expensive and complicated the treatment – a small cavity can be repaired during one visit, while a neglected tooth requires multi-stage treatment over many weeks. Regular check-ups every 6 months allow for early detection of the problem when it can be resolved with minimal invasiveness.

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