An overview of the treatments we offer, grouped by category.
Teeth cleaning
Teeth cleaning is the cleaning of the teeth, removing both hard build-up (tartar) and soft build-up (plaque) that sits on the teeth above the gum line. We encourage regular cleaning on a par with check-ups, so that dental conditions can be detected or avoided altogether.
Tartar mostly consists of mineral deposits from saliva that harden into a solid layer on the tooth surface. This is nearly impossible to remove yourself, as it sits so firmly. Tartar and bacteria along the gumline can be irritating and lead to gum inflammation (gingivitis). By removing build-up and tartar and keeping the teeth clean, the gum inflammation will subside within a few days and the gums will become healthy again.
Untreated gum inflammation will, after a while, develop into periodontitis (pyorrhoea), where the bone around the tooth breaks down and the teeth become loose.
With periodontitis, more frequent cleaning at the dentist is necessary, checking the gum pockets and cleaning so the condition doesn't progress.
Teeth cleaning does not replace the annual check-up.
There can be several reasons why a tooth needs to be removed. If a tooth cannot be saved in a satisfactory way, the dentist will recommend extracting it. Our goal is to keep teeth for as long as possible rather than removing and replacing them. Extraction is necessary in certain cases where the tooth cannot be saved, for example due to infection in the root, root fracture, severe looseness, extensive decay, or wisdom teeth with decay or gum infection.
Based on a clinical examination and X-rays, the dentist can assess whether the tooth can be extracted in the usual way, or whether it needs to be surgically removed. In both cases the procedure is carried out under local anaesthesia. During surgery, the gum tissue is folded aside, any necessary jawbone is removed, and the tooth is sectioned as needed. Afterwards the wound is cleaned and the necessary number of stitches are placed. Many people believe that having a tooth extracted is painful and very unpleasant. At Løren Tannklinikk we have extensive experience with extractions, and you should feel safe in our hands.
Prosthodontics is a branch of dental treatment involving the use of fixed (crowns, bridges, veneers) and removable dental restorations (dentures, partial dentures, bite splints) to restore the appearance and function of the teeth. Prosthodontic restorations are artificial replacements used to treat damaged or missing teeth.
Dentists are able to diagnose, plan and manage treatments using dental prostheses to correct a wide range of oral health problems. They also have a strong focus on reducing the risk of these problems recurring in the future.
Prosthodontic treatments can be chosen for functional or cosmetic reasons. They're designed to restore the natural appearance and function of the teeth, gums and other areas of the face. They can also help with jaw problems such as jaw joint disorders. Treatment with crowns, dentures, bridges and bite splints all fall under prosthodontics. Dental technicians carry out the actual manufacturing of the artificial replacements.
Tooth colour changes throughout life as a natural part of ageing. If you'd like whiter teeth, we recommend clinic-made at-home treatment for our patients. These are individually fitted whitening trays that you take home with you. At-home whitening takes longer than in-clinic whitening, but is gentler on your teeth. This gives a gradual change in tooth colour and the most lasting result.
How teeth whitening from the dentist works
We make sure you come in for a dental check before whitening, where we ensure your teeth are healthy and strong enough for a whitening treatment. The dentist also cleans your teeth of plaque and tartar, among other things, for an even and thorough result. Criteria for whitening: if you have cavities or tartar, these should be treated first; if you have fillings they must be of good quality, and your gums must be healthy.
Your individual whitening trays are then made by a dental technician. After 10 days you'll receive a set of custom-fitted trays and whitening agents that can be used during the day or at night — depending on your preference. How many days of whitening are needed to achieve the desired result varies from person to person, but it usually takes between 8–10 days.
Benefits of at-home whitening
Custom-fitted whitening trays are probably the best choice when it comes to whitening, because they're perfectly fitted to your mouth, so the whitening gel reaches every surface of the teeth while staying away from the gums. The benefits of at-home whitening also include full control over your tooth colour, and you can always stop the treatment once you're happy with your new shade. The trays can be used for several years and don't need replacing each time you want to whiten. When you want to refresh the colour, all you need to buy is whitening gel in syringes. These trays can be somewhat costly, but it's usually an investment that lasts a lifetime.
Results will vary
How good the results of at-home whitening are will vary from person to person, depending on the degree and type of discolouration. Many people think they'll go in with discoloured teeth and come out with a dazzling white smile. The fact is, however, that the result will vary — every mouth is different. The effect of teeth whitening will often have faded somewhat after around 3 years, but this is very individual.
The tooth surface is more porous during and right after whitening, and is therefore more susceptible to staining during this period. Avoid, for example, red wine, black tea, soft drinks, coffee, beetroot, tobacco and strong tomato sauces.
Side effects
Some patients may experience sensitivity in their teeth for a short time after treatment. Fluoride rinse can reduce symptoms when used before, during and after treatment. If you experience further problems, please consult us.
Examination
A diagnostic examination, where we check the teeth, gums and mouth to see that everything is as it should be. If the dentist detects any conditions, a plan for further treatment is made.
A standard examination always includes X-rays, an examination, cleaning and guidance on hygiene.
At the start of the dental examination, the dentist takes X-rays of your mouth. This is to reveal issues in the parts of the teeth that aren't visible in the mouth. They can also reveal pathology in the jaws. X-rays taken over several years can be used to compare whether a condition (such as an early cavity) has developed or not.
At the clinic we also have panoramic X-ray (OPG), a digital overview image of the teeth, bone structure in the upper and lower jaw, sinuses and jaw joints. With today's technology, the radiation dose for both regular and panoramic X-rays is very small.
After the examination, the dentist carries out teeth cleaning to remove any staining and tartar. Cleaning can remove some staining from, for example, coffee, tea, wine and tobacco. This not only leaves a clean and fresh feeling in the mouth, but also helps prevent gum inflammation.
Why prioritise regular oral and dental health check-ups?
We care about good oral health and recommend everyone come in for a check-up and maintenance 1–2 times a year. As a rule, you feel nothing from either cavities or loosening teeth in the early stages. That's why regular check-ups and maintenance examinations are important, so conditions are caught at an early stage. This way, disease and discomfort can be prevented, and treatment becomes less extensive. If you have a lot of tartar, or other conditions such as dry mouth or the gum disease periodontitis, we recommend more frequent follow-up to help you maintain good oral health.
Conditions in the body affect the mouth, and vice versa. Research has shown a link between infections in the mouth and conditions such as diabetes, Alzheimer's, cardiovascular disease, and a number of other conditions.
An impacted wisdom tooth is when the space the tooth should erupt into is fully or partially blocked. Symptoms of an impacted wisdom tooth arise from complications such as infection. These can include pain, bad breath, swelling, headache and jaw pain.
Wisdom teeth are the last molars to erupt from the gums. They erupt in the late teens or early twenties, when we are more "wise" — hence the name wisdom teeth.
Wisdom teeth are considered impacted when the eruption path from the bone up into the mouth is blocked, either partially or completely. In some cases this can lead to complications such as infection (pericoronitis), damage to adjacent teeth, gum disease and cyst formation. In addition, the tooth can be difficult to keep clean because of its position in the jaw and the way it's enclosed. The tooth can therefore be prone to significant decay that can be difficult to repair.
The condition is very common. A Swedish study found that 72% of people between 20 and 30 had at least one impacted wisdom tooth.
Why doesn't the tooth erupt?
A wisdom tooth failing to erupt can be due to insufficient space in the jaw, or the tooth being in an abnormal position. The path the wisdom tooth needs to erupt through can also be blocked by jawbone or another tooth.
There are three reasons for too little jaw space for a wisdom tooth. First, it may relate to human evolution — the human jawbone has become smaller over time, meaning the lower jaw doesn't protrude as far as it once did in prehistoric times. Second, improved dental hygiene has increased the chance that we keep our teeth well into adulthood or throughout life. It's thought that people who lose teeth thereby make room for wisdom teeth. And finally, today's softer diet may have reduced the wearing down of teeth.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis is made by observing that the wisdom tooth (or teeth) has not erupted. This can be confirmed with an X-ray.
Symptoms of an impacted wisdom tooth only appear if complications occur, particularly infection (pericoronitis). This is noticed as pain and tenderness in the gum or jawbone, bad breath, redness or swelling in the gum around the impacted tooth, an unpleasant taste when biting near the inflamed area, headache or jaw pain. With larger infections, the lymph nodes in the neck will swell and become tender, and in pronounced cases you may find it difficult to open your mouth (lockjaw).
Treatment
If the condition doesn't cause inflammation or significant decay, no extended treatment is carried out. The purpose of treatment is to prevent complications or treat any complications as they arise. There is no scientific evidence that it's beneficial to remove an impacted wisdom tooth before complications occur, i.e. while the tooth is healthy. The purpose of removing an impacted wisdom tooth is as part of treating complications.
For those with an impacted wisdom tooth, there's therefore a lot to gain from keeping the tooth healthy. Good dental hygiene with regular brushing and diligent use of floss/interdental brushes can prevent decay and gum infections — and may spare you a troublesome operation.
If complications occur, the tooth must be removed. Examples of complications that require intervention include:
Recurring chronic or acute infections
Damage to neighbouring teeth
Decay that can't be repaired because it's impossible to access
Development of a cyst or tumour associated with the wisdom tooth
Fracture of the tooth
A tooth that obstructs surgery in the area
Removal of a wisdom tooth almost always causes pain and swelling after the operation. The procedure carries a small risk of permanent nerve damage in the area, which can cause numbness in the tongue or lower lip.
Course and prognosis
A well cared-for wisdom tooth usually causes no problems. There's no evidence that leaving an impacted wisdom tooth in place makes the front teeth more crowded, or worsens tooth alignment. If complications occur, they cause acute or persistent symptoms such as pain, swelling, bad breath and headache.
Younger patients, whose teeth are not yet fully developed, have fewer complications when a wisdom tooth is removed than older patients.
Advice after extraction
For the first 3 hours, don't drink, eat, rinse your mouth or smoke. This is so the blood can clot in the socket.
Avoid vigorous rinsing of the mouth for the first 2–3 days. This can trigger bleeding and cause the blood clot that has formed to dislodge. Leave the wound as undisturbed as possible for the first few days, and don't touch it with your tongue. This helps ensure good, fast healing with less pain. It's not unusual for the wound to bleed a little during the first 24 hours.
Eat soft, mashed food for the first few days. Avoid chewing directly against the wound. Take painkillers as recommended by the dentist. Once the local anaesthetic wears off, expect the pain to increase. Over-the-counter paracetamol and ibuprofen are usually sufficient.
In some cases the dentist places a small piece of gauze with antibiotic ointment in the surgical wound. This should normally be removed after 1–2 days. Contact us if you're unable to do this yourself.
Stitch removal — stitches must be removed after 8–10 days.
If you experience swelling or severe pain, please contact us.
It will take several weeks before the hole in the jawbone fully heals.
This is an inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) and of the tissue supporting the teeth (periodontitis). Another term for periodontitis is periodontal disease.
Gum inflammation is a fairly common condition that causes few symptoms in its early stages. The condition occurs in both chronic and acute forms. Bad breath and gums that bleed easily are the first symptoms.
Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease that resolves with good dental hygiene. Periodontitis involves inflammation that extends deeper into the tissue, causing loss of supporting tissue and bone around the teeth. With periodontitis, pockets form in the soft tissue, or deep gaps between the gum and the tooth root. Severe periodontitis can cause teeth to loosen, in some cases cause pain and discomfort, impair chewing, and eventually lead to tooth loss.
Inflammation of the tissue closest to the tooth (periodontitis) starts with gum inflammation (gingivitis) that progresses deeper. Over time the condition destroys the tooth's support and the adjacent part of the jawbone. Symptoms are usually few, but over time the tooth loosens.
Risk factors include poor dental hygiene, dry mouth, frequent sugary meals and smoking. People with diabetes have an increased occurrence of gum inflammation.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis is made when the doctor or dentist examines the mouth and detects inflammatory changes, or that teeth are loose. X-rays of the teeth and jawbone can confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment
The aim of treatment is to get rid of the inflammation and prevent new build-up forming on the teeth. Treatment for periodontitis involves thorough teeth cleaning, removing plaque and tartar around all the teeth and down in the gum pockets. As the teeth lose their attachment to the bone, gum pockets form around the teeth where plaque and tartar collect.
Important measures against gingivitis are good oral hygiene using a toothbrush, floss, interdental brushes or special brushes. A rotating-oscillating electric toothbrush reduces the occurrence of plaque and gum inflammation somewhat more effectively than a regular toothbrush. If plaque and tartar are removed, the inflammation subsides. Rinse your mouth often. Cut out smoking! Non-smokers appear to fare better after treatment than smokers. Former smokers and non-smokers appear to get roughly the same good effect from treatment.
For more pronounced changes, dental treatment is necessary. The dentist carries out thorough cleaning and, if needed, removes inflamed tissue.
Antibiotic treatment may be appropriate in some cases if there's no improvement after self-care, but is unnecessary for most people.
Prognosis
It's important that the condition is treated as early as possible to avoid long-term complications such as tooth damage and possible tooth loss. With correct treatment and improved dental hygiene, the condition has a good prognosis. Periodontitis is the most common cause of tooth loss after the age of 40.
Root canal treatment is a procedure to repair and save a badly damaged or infected tooth instead of removing it. The term comes from the cleaning of the canals inside the tooth's root.
Cavities in teeth, large fillings and cracks in the enamel/dentin can cause a dull ache and toothache — meaning inflammation has developed in the nerve (pulp). Sensitivity to cold and heat, tenderness when chewing, radiating pain in the jaw and intense headaches may follow. Drinking cold water can relieve pain for short periods, and can be a possible sign that the tooth needs root canal treatment.
Root canal treatment is carried out to remove bacteria from infected root canals, which are then replaced with sterile, bacteria-tight material. The treatment is performed under local anaesthesia and is usually painless. Once treatment is complete, the tooth is built up with a composite filling (a white, tooth-coloured filling) or a crown.
How painful is root canal treatment?
For many patients, having root canal treatment is no more painful than getting a filling, thanks to the use of local anaesthesia and modern endodontic techniques. Most people report feeling comfortable throughout the procedure, sometimes feeling pressure and movement, but not pain.
What are the 3 stages of root canal treatment?
Here are the detailed explanations of the 3 stages of root canal treatment:
Extirpation: Initial cleaning to control bacterial infection.
Instrumentation: Thorough cleaning and medication.
Obturation: Filling of the root canal.
Do you need a crown after root canal treatment?
A dental crown is designed to protect the tooth from further damage and improve its appearance. While root canal treatment on the front teeth may not always require a crown, your back teeth will benefit from one.
Front teeth rarely require crowns, since they're under less pressure. A dentist can use a composite filling instead to seamlessly repair a visible front tooth. However, a crown can be fitted on a front tooth if it becomes discoloured due to decay.
Your back teeth may need a crown after root canal treatment, since your bite puts pressure on the molars. Biting down hard on a tooth that recently underwent root canal treatment could crack it. Without a crown, the tooth could eventually break, requiring extraction and placement of a dental implant.
