Frequently Asked Questions

No. Healthy gums do not bleed when you brush or floss. Bleeding is often an early sign of gum inflammation; even if there is no pain, it is advisable to have it examined.

In addition to an oral examination, the pocket depth and bleeding around each tooth are measured; if needed, bone levels are assessed with X-rays. The findings, treatment options and expected course are shared with you, and a personal treatment plan is prepared after the examination.

Procedures such as scaling and root planing are performed under local anesthesia when needed, and your comfort is monitored throughout. Some sensitivity may follow for a few days; this varies from person to person.

Progressive periodontitis can lead to loss of the bone that supports the teeth, gum recession, loose teeth and, at advanced stages, tooth loss. Periodontitis is also known to be associated with general health conditions such as diabetes.

You can call the clinic on 0532 333 42 52 or send a WhatsApp message to the same number. The clinic is open Monday to Saturday, 10:00–19:00, and is located on Vali Konağı Avenue in Nişantaşı, Şişli, Istanbul.

The interval for check-ups and professional cleaning is not the same for everyone. For people with healthy gums a check-up every 6–12 months is usually recommended, while for people treated for periodontitis the interval is planned more frequently according to individual risk.

Yes. Smoking is a major risk factor for periodontitis; it can mask the disease by suppressing gum bleeding and can reduce the response to treatment. Quitting smoking is an important part of the treatment process.

If there is active gum disease, it is recommended to treat it before implant planning. Healthy gums and sufficient bone are important for the long-term care of an implant.

Hormonal changes in pregnancy can increase gum inflammation. A gum examination and any necessary cleaning can be planned in consultation with your obstetrician, usually in the second trimester.

Gingivitis can be reversed with appropriate treatment and regular oral care. In periodontitis, the bone and connective tissue that have been lost do not grow back on their own; however, the disease can be brought under control with treatment and kept stable with regular maintenance visits. Regenerative treatments may be considered for certain bone defects.

Cleaning below the gumline is performed under local anesthesia, and the aim is for you not to feel pain during the procedure. After the anesthesia wears off, you may have mild soreness or sensitivity for a few days; this usually eases on its own.

No. Bleeding is often a sign of gum inflammation, and leaving the plaque in place keeps the inflammation going. Keep brushing gently with a soft toothbrush, and if the bleeding continues, see your dentist for an examination.

For people who have been treated for periodontitis, maintenance visits are scheduled at intervals of 3 to 12 months according to their individual risk profile, as recommended in the EFP guideline. The interval that is right for you is determined after the re-evaluation measurements.

Yes. Smoking is one of the most important known risk factors for periodontitis and can negatively affect how you respond to treatment. It can also mask the signs of the disease by suppressing gum bleeding. Getting support to quit smoking contributes to the treatment process.

For most people, cleaning above the gumline causes no discomfort apart from a slight vibration and a feeling of sensitivity. Cleaning below the gumline is performed under local anesthesia, and the aim is for you not to feel pain during the procedure. If you have sensitive teeth, simply let your clinician know before the procedure.

This varies from person to person. For people with healthy gums, a check-up every 6–12 months is usually recommended. For people who have been treated for periodontitis, maintenance visits are scheduled every 3 to 12 months depending on their level of risk.

Yes, sensitivity to hot and cold may occur in the first few days. It usually eases within a few days to a few weeks. If the sensitivity persists or gets worse, contact your clinician.

No. Hardened tartar cannot be removed with a toothbrush, and trying to scrape it off at home with sharp tools can injure the gums and the tooth surface. The most effective thing you can do at home is to brush regularly and clean between your teeth so that plaque does not harden into tartar.

Gum inflammation may be more common during pregnancy because of hormonal changes. A dental cleaning can be planned at a suitable point in the pregnancy, usually in the second trimester, after an assessment by your clinician. For details, see our article on gum health in pregnancy.

No. The foundation of periodontitis treatment is the mechanical removal of tartar and bacterial plaque below the gumline. The EFP clinical practice guideline does not recommend the routine use of lasers in addition to this cleaning; a laser may be considered only as an adjunct in selected cases.

Topical or local anesthesia is used depending on the type of procedure, and the aim is for you not to feel pain during the procedure. The sensitivity felt afterward varies from person to person.

In gum recession, covering the exposed root is generally done with gum grafts and plastic periodontal surgery techniques. You can find more information on our gum recession treatment page.

When used for the right indication, with a suitable device and settings, and with the necessary eye protection, the laser is a widely used method for soft tissue procedures. Because inappropriate use carries risks such as heat-related tissue damage, its use is planned based on the clinician's assessment.

For superficial soft tissue procedures, healing generally takes from a few days to a few weeks. The time varies depending on the extent of the procedure, the person's general health and their oral care.

No. Gums that have receded do not return to their previous level on their own. However, once the cause is brought under control, the recession can be stopped from progressing; where needed, the exposed root can be covered with surgical techniques.

Connective tissue grafts and free gingival grafts are usually taken from the palate. In some cases, biomaterials such as a collagen matrix may be considered as an alternative to harvesting tissue from the palate. Which option is suitable is determined after the examination.

This depends largely on the tissue and bone support between the teeth. In recessions without loss between the teeth (Cairo RT1), complete coverage is more predictable; as the loss between the teeth increases, the amount of coverage that can be achieved becomes more limited. Results vary from person to person.

Soft, lukewarm foods are recommended for the first few days. The return to a normal diet is usually gradual, generally after the stitches are removed, depending on how healing progresses. Advice specific to you is given at your follow-up visit.

Using a hard toothbrush and brushing horizontally with too much pressure can contribute to recession, especially in people with thin gum tissue. It is important to use the correct technique with a soft toothbrush. For details, see our article on gum recession signs and causes.

Most persistent bad breath originates in the mouth; the most common causes are the coating on the tongue and gum disease. Digestive problems such as reflux are a less common cause. If no source is found in the mouth, you are referred to the relevant specialty.

Mouthwashes can reduce or mask the odor for a short time, but they do not eliminate the source. Suitable mouthwashes can be used, on your clinician's recommendation, to support tongue cleaning, brushing, interdental cleaning and any necessary dental treatment.

It is difficult to judge your own breath, because the nose becomes accustomed to a smell it is constantly exposed to. The opinion of someone close to you whom you trust can be helpful. If you have concerns, an assessment during an examination provides more reliable information.

If gum disease is the source of the bad breath, periodontal treatment helps control the odor by reducing the bacterial load in the pockets. Tongue cleaning, regular home care and maintenance visits are important for sustaining the effect.

Yes. Saliva naturally cleanses the mouth; when saliva flow decreases, bacteria multiply more easily and the odor may increase. Certain medications, mouth breathing and insufficient fluid intake can lead to dry mouth. Advice targeting the cause is given after the examination.

Implant placement is performed under local anesthesia, and the aim is for you not to feel pain during the procedure. After the anesthesia wears off, there may be mild pain, swelling and tenderness for a few days; pain relievers recommended by your dentist can be used during this time.

Active gum disease can increase the risk of inflammation around the implant. For this reason, gum treatment is done first, and the implant is planned once the disease is under control. Regular check-ups are especially important for patients with a history of periodontitis.

Smoking does not by itself rule out an implant; however, smokers have a higher risk of healing problems and of developing peri-implant disease later on. Quitting, or cutting down as much as possible, during treatment is recommended.

Implants can be placed in people whose blood sugar is consistently well controlled. In uncontrolled diabetes, healing may be delayed and the risk of infection may increase; for this reason, recent lab results and, if needed, the opinion of the relevant physician are reviewed before planning.

How long an implant stays healthy in the mouth depends on many factors, such as oral hygiene, attending regular check-ups, smoking and general health. With good care and regular check-ups, the goal is for it to function for many years, but this varies from person to person.

Jaw growth must be complete before an implant is placed; for this reason, implants are generally placed in adulthood. Older age alone is not a barrier; what matters is general health and bone structure.

Peri-implant mucositis at an early stage can often be reversed with appropriate treatment and care. In peri-implantitis, the goal is to stop the inflammation and prevent further bone loss; the response to treatment varies depending on the amount of bone loss and individual risk factors.

Yes. Peri-implantitis can often progress without causing noticeable pain. Signs such as bleeding, swelling, discharge or a bad taste are more telling. That is why regular check-ups are recommended even when there are no complaints.

Not in every case. When the condition is diagnosed early, efforts are made to keep the implant with nonsurgical or surgical treatment. For implants with advanced bone loss that have become loose, however, removal may be necessary.

In addition to daily brushing, cleaning around the implant with aids such as interdental brushes or a water flosser, quitting smoking, keeping diabetes under control and attending check-ups at the intervals your dentist recommends help reduce the risk.

A laser can be used as an adjunctive tool for cleaning the implant surface. However, current guidelines state that the added benefit of lasers over conventional cleaning methods has not yet been sufficiently proven. Whether it will be used is decided after an examination.

No. If bone volume is sufficient for the planned implant, a graft is not needed. The need for a graft is determined after an examination and a 3D CBCT assessment.

A sinus lift is performed under local anesthesia, and the aim is for you not to feel pain during the procedure. In the following days, there may be swelling, tenderness and a feeling of mild nasal congestion; the medications your dentist recommends are used during this period.

If the remaining bone is enough to provide initial stability for the implant, the graft and the implant can be placed at the same appointment. If bone loss is more advanced, the graft is placed first and the implant is placed after healing.

The graft materials used in the clinic are sterile, specially processed products that comply with the relevant health regulations. The advantages and limitations of each material are discussed with you during the examination, and your personal preferences are also taken into account.

In the early period after a sinus lift, pressure changes may affect the healing area. If you are planning air travel or diving, it is recommended that you discuss the timing with your dentist in advance.

If the implants achieve sufficient initial stability, a fixed temporary prosthesis can be placed on the same day or shortly afterward in suitable cases. This prosthesis is temporary; the final prosthesis is made after the implants have fused with the bone. If stability is insufficient, healing is awaited first.

This decision depends on the amount of bone, the jaw structure, the teeth in the opposing jaw and biting force. Six implants distribute forces over more points but require sufficient bone over a wider area. The suitable option is determined after an examination and a 3D CBCT scan.

No. All-on-4 and All-on-6 prostheses are fixed prostheses screwed onto the implants. At check-ups, they are removed by the dentist when needed, cleaned and reattached.

Placing the back implants at an angle can reduce the need for additional grafting in some patients with limited bone. However, it is not possible in every case; some cases may require bone grafting or a different treatment plan.

In addition to brushing, a water flosser, Super Floss and interdental brushes of the right size are used. The correct technique is shown to you hands-on after the prosthesis is placed and reviewed at check-ups.

Loose teeth do not necessarily all have to be lost. First, a detailed periodontal examination is done to assess which teeth can be saved with treatment. The decision to extract all the teeth is made only when there is no chance of saving them.

No. In addition to gum-related causes such as altered passive eruption or gum overgrowth, a short or hypermobile upper lip, overeruption of the teeth or excessive vertical growth of the upper jaw can also lead to a gummy smile. Treatment is planned according to the cause.

If only the gum is trimmed without preserving the biological distance between the gum and the bone, the tissue may tend to return to its previous level over time. For this reason, the bone level is assessed and, where needed, aesthetic crown lengthening is planned instead of a gingivectomy.

A gingivectomy is only the removal of excess gum tissue. In aesthetic crown lengthening, the bone margin is reshaped together with the gum. Which one is suitable is determined according to the bone level, through an examination and the necessary tests.

Dark coloring of the gums is usually due to melanin pigment and is not a health problem. However, spots that are new or that change in shape or color should always be evaluated by a dentist.

This time varies depending on the procedure performed. After soft tissue procedures alone, a shorter wait may be enough, whereas after crown lengthening it may be necessary to wait a few months for the gum margin to settle. The right time is determined by the clinician at the follow-up visits.

No. Composite bonding and some veneer cases may require very little or no reduction. Methods such as zirconia crowns, however, require more tooth structure to be removed. The appropriate method is determined based on the current condition of the teeth.

Gum disease needs to be treated first. Restorations placed on inflamed gums may lead to problems such as color mismatch and gum recession. The aesthetic phase begins once gum health has been restored.

With digital planning and, in suitable cases, a temporary trial (mock-up) tried in the mouth, the planned design can be previewed. This trial serves as a guide; the final result may differ depending on conditions in the mouth.

Porcelain veneers are more resistant to discoloration and wear but require a laboratory phase. Composite can be applied with less tooth reduction and usually in a single appointment, but polishing or renewal may be needed over time. The choice is made together, based on your expectations and the condition of your teeth.

Showing too much gum can be caused by excess gum tissue, short tooth crowns, lip movement or jaw structure. Depending on the cause, gum aesthetics procedures may be included in smile design; in some cases, support from other specialties may be needed.

Whitening done under a dentist's supervision and at an appropriate concentration does not wear away the tooth surface. The most common side effect is temporary sensitivity. When unsuitable products are used without supervision, the risk of gum irritation and sensitivity may increase.

Sensitivity is mostly temporary and usually eases within a few days. The duration varies from person to person; if needed, your dentist may recommend desensitizing products.

No. Whitening affects only natural tooth structure. Composite fillings, veneers and crowns do not change color; for this reason, a color difference may develop if there are restorations on the front teeth.

The color achieved may darken somewhat over time, depending on habits such as tea, coffee and smoking and on oral care. How long this takes varies from person to person; when needed, a touch-up can be done under a dentist's supervision.

Whitening is not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding as a precaution. During this time, it is advisable to focus on oral care and gum health and to postpone whitening until later.

Exposed root surfaces may be more sensitive to whitening gel, and the roots may not whiten to the same degree. In this case, the condition of the gums is evaluated first; suitable protective measures, or gum treatment first, may be planned.