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A dental implant is an artificial root made of titanium or zirconium dioxide that is placed into the jawbone and serves as a foundation for a crown or a fixed prosthesis. It replaces a missing tooth both functionally and aesthetically, and most importantly, it slows down the bone loss that inevitably occurs when a gap is left empty. The process from placement to the permanent crown takes 3 to 6 months; in some cases with immediate loading, the crown is placed on the day of the surgery.

A veneer is an ultra-thin shell less than one millimeter thick, which an orthopedic dentist bonds to the visible surface of a tooth to change its color, adjust its contour, or close a gap between teeth. There are two main types: composite veneers, applied directly in the chair over one to two visits and lasting 4–8 years, and ceramic veneers — made of porcelain, lithium disilicate, or zirconium dioxide — fabricated in a laboratory and designed to last 10–20 years.

The type of tooth damage determines both the urgency and the restoration method: a chip limited to enamel rarely requires an immediate visit, but exposed pulp or tooth mobility is a reason to see a dentist the same day. Before your appointment, rinse your mouth with room-temperature water, if possible keep the broken piece in a moist environment, and do not touch the damaged area with your tongue or hands. The doctor will devise the treatment plan during the examination — from polishing the edge and composite restoration to root canal treatment with anesthesia and crown placement.

Dental plaque is a biofilm in which bacteria (streptococci and other species), food debris, and saliva components form a sticky layer on the enamel. If not removed for 1–3 days, the plaque mineralizes with calcium salts from saliva and turns into tartar (calculus), which provokes caries and gingivitis. At home, only soft plaque can be removed — with a toothbrush, floss, and water flosser; hard tartar is removed by a dentist using AirFlow or ultrasound. In Spain, a basic professional cleaning (limpieza dental / profilaxis) costs approximately 40–80 €, while deeper treatment of gum pockets (curetaje) costs 60–250 € depending on the number of zones. It is recommended to have a cleaning every 6–12 months; at the AP-Denta clinic in Torrevieja, this can be done in one visit.

Aphthous stomatitis is an inflammatory lesion of the oral mucosa in which painful ulcers (aphthae) 2–10 mm in diameter, with a white coating and a red border, appear on the inside of the cheeks, tongue, or palate. According to observations by pediatric dentists at the AP-Denta clinic in Torrevieja, aphthae most commonly occur in children aged 1 to 6 years and, with proper care, resolve on their own within 7–14 days.

Oropharyngeal candidiasis (commonly known as oral thrush) is an infectious condition of the mucous membranes initiated by the pathogenic overgrowth of Candida yeast microorganisms. Since the fungus is part of the resident flora (present in up to 90% of healthy individuals), the clinical picture develops exclusively against the background of a localized or systemic immune barrier failure.