Regular preventive check-ups are the way to detect and prevent caries and its complications early — before there is any pain. A preventive check-up is necessary for everyone: once a year for people without cavities, and more often for treated cavities, gingivitis, untreated caries or periodontitis.
Why are preventive check-ups needed?
Visiting your own dentist in good time shows concern for your own health and a high level of health awareness.
According to statistics from recent years, 98% of the population in Bulgaria has at least one active, untreated carious cavity. This is because people do not know how important it is to detect and treat caries in good time, at an early stage when there are no symptoms (pain). The onset of pain is often an indication that it is already too late and the tooth has to be devitalised.
Besides preventing caries and its complications, regular preventive check-ups also protect against the periodontal diseases gingivitis and periodontitis. During the check-up, the presence of dental plaque and tartar, which are the main cause of these diseases, is established. Regular removal of tartar and plaque is the key to healthy gums.
How often are preventive check-ups needed?
- Once a year — for people who have no cavities.
- Every 6 months (twice a year) — for people with treated cavities or inflammation of the gums (gingivitis).
- Every four months or more often — for people with more than one untreated cavity or with periodontitis; the frequency depends on the Patient’s dental health.
Preventive check-ups are necessary for everyone, because they spare you pain and expensive treatment.
How much does a preventive check-up cost?
Preventive / follow-up examination: 20 €. All prices are in the Price list.
What do you gain from a timely check-up? Two examples
Example 1: with a preventive check-up
Patient X goes for a preventive check-up with their dentist, and a small cavity that does not hurt and a little tartar are found. Treatment takes 2 visits to the clinic — the first to remove the tartar and the second to place a photopolymer filling (an aesthetic filling). The Patient has come to the clinic twice and pays only for the cleaning (80 – 100 €) and the filling (60 – 120 €).
Example 2: without a preventive check-up
The same Patient X does not go for a preventive check-up, and the small cavity keeps developing without causing pain. After a few months it reaches the nerve, leading to pulpitis, which is characterised by severe, constant pain. Treatment now requires devitalising the tooth (removing the nerve and filling the root canals), and this means grinding away much of the tooth, which in turn requires making and placing a crown. In this case treatment takes six or seven visits to the clinic, and the Patient pays for removing the nerve (60 – 80 € per canal) and filling the canals (40 – 60 € per canal), building up the tooth (80 – 100 €) and a crown (metal-ceramic — 250 €).
Which of the two patients you become is entirely up to you.
Frequently asked questions
How often are preventive check-ups needed?
Once a year for people without cavities; every 6 months for treated cavities or gingivitis; every four months or more often for more than one untreated cavity or for periodontitis.
Why go for a check-up if nothing hurts?
Caries at an early stage has no symptoms (pain). The onset of pain is often an indication that it is already too late and the tooth has to be devitalised. Check-ups spare you pain and expensive treatment.
What is established at a preventive check-up?
Caries and its complications are detected early, as are the presence of dental plaque and tartar, which are the main cause of gingivitis and periodontitis.
Do check-ups protect against gum disease?
Yes. Regular preventive check-ups protect against gingivitis and periodontitis, and regular removal of tartar and plaque is the key to healthy gums.