Emigrants returning to Lithuania most often face problems with cavities, worn-down teeth and dental prosthetics. With just a few weeks of holiday to get their teeth sorted, they don't begrudge impressive sums — the amounts left in dental offices range from EUR 50 to EUR 10,000.
A Hollywood smile, therapeutic treatment for cavities and prosthetics — these are the most common services on the wish list.
“In a few weeks, a great deal can actually be done. For one patient we treated all the teeth and carried out cosmetic filling of the front teeth. For another patient we prepared abutment teeth and carried out bridge prosthetics, and for a client with severely worn teeth we raised the bite with fillings on the back teeth and restored the front ones with crowns,” dentist Gintarė Andzevičiūtė shares examples.
G. Andzevičiūtė notes that Lithuanians, and especially compatriots returning from abroad, are increasingly asking about whitening procedures too. „Foreigners are more inclined to invest in improving the condition of their teeth, in care products and in a beautiful, functional smile. Apparently, a good example is contagious, so Lithuanians living abroad increasingly ask not only for individual tooth treatment, but for a full complex restoration of the whole mouth, including a flawlessly white smile and even teeth,“ the specialist says.
Still, a white smile isn’t everything. Every person’s teeth whiten differently — some more, some less. When preparing for cosmetic filling, teeth whitening should be carried out first, because the colour of the teeth being filled has to be matched to the colour of the whitened teeth. The dentist notes that a common mistake made by Lithuanians living in emigration when enjoying their Hollywood smile is forgetting to look after the teeth after the procedures.
“After cosmetic filling services, special tooth care isn’t necessary, but you should avoid whitening toothpastes, as they contain abrasive particles which scratch and roughen the surface of the filling. It’s also recommended to choose a soft toothbrush, to use dental floss regularly and not to forget to have professional oral hygiene and filling polishing at least every 6–12 months,” G. Andzevičiūtė advises.
To make productive use of their stay in Lithuania, the dentist recommends that compatriots living abroad book their appointments at least a month before their return — consult the doctors, plan the visits and draw up a treatment plan. The way they do this — by email, phone or with the help of relatives — is up to each individual to choose.
“Sometimes there are cases where I get enquiries via my social media accounts as well. Patients share photos, so remotely we assess together how long restoring the smile would take, the number of visits and the price. Although I’d like personal accounts to stay personal, I can’t not reply — this way we avoid unnecessary rushing, and the result is maximised,” G. Andzevičiūtė says.
Visits to the dentist look like this: during a 15–30-minute consultation the condition of the teeth is assessed and the patient’s expectations are discussed, and a decision is made about how many teeth will be filled to achieve the most aesthetic option possible while taking finances into account. Cosmetic restoration of a single tooth usually takes about 1 hour, so if 6 teeth are being treated a 6-hour visit is planned. Therapeutic treatment and cosmetic filling procedures can be carried out in 1–3 days. So with just a week or two of holiday and visits planned in advance, you can be enjoying your smile in just a day or a few.
Dental implantation is one of the most reliable modern dental methods for restoring a lost tooth or even an entire jaw arch.
Proper everyday oral care after dental treatment is the essential condition for maintaining the results achieved and avoiding possible complications.
Don’t put off the chance to feel good again – book an initial consultation with a dentist now!
