Dental Implants | Esthetic Dentistry
Periodontology | Dr. George Makris & Co.

Holistic Dental Treatment

In our clinic, located in the center of Thessaloniki, our approach is holistic treatment. This means that the restoration of a tooth or the mouth requires a holistic perspective. Just like when building a house, you start with the foundation, in dental restoration, both the general health and the specific oral health of the individual are examined and addressed, before proceeding with targeted treatment. Of course, we always take into account the individual’s needs (aesthetic, financial).

It is not possible to restore a tooth in the lower jaw without considering the condition of the corresponding tooth in the upper jaw. You cannot restore a tooth that has structural problems (cracks, bone damage, inflammation, etc.) without addressing those problems. Therefore, in our clinic, we address the full range of dental issues with specialized dentists and, most importantly, with the collaboration of different specialties to benefit the patient.

The clinic’s team is composed of trained clinicians, led by Dr. Giorgos Makris.

We have taken a series of precautionary measures according to the Swiss Dental Association, find out what has changed in the clinic due to the Covid-19 pandemic

Our clinic’s philosophy focuses on the term
‘Comprehensive Treatment’

The term ‘comprehensive treatment’ is used to describe a therapeutic approach that requires a specific sequence of actions to ensure the success of treatment.

Let’s give some examples

1. An absolute requirement for a filling is the health of the gums, as even the slightest trace of blood will prevent the bonding of the filling material.
   A necessary condition for aesthetic restoration is the treatment of gingivitis. Why? After some time, when the gum inflammation subsides, the borders of the restoration (usually metal) will become visible, and a part of the tooth with sensitivity to cold or hot will remain exposed.
2. An essential requirement for placing dental implants is the treatment of periodontitis. Why? Periodontitis is an infection, and pathogenic bacteria will settle on the surface of the foreign body of the implant and cause infection and rejection of the implants.
3. An essential requirement for an individual aesthetic restoration is the homogeneity of the smile (color and shape of teeth, gum and lip line). Therefore, if selective whitening of adjacent teeth is not performed first, the result of the restoration will stand out as fake.
4. An essential requirement for implant placement and any surgical procedure is a thorough investigation of the overall health of the candidate. Why? Even the simplest medication (aspirin) to the most complex one against osteoporosis (PROLIA) can cause serious healing problems.

Thus, Comprehensive Treatment requires a series of actions in a specific order

What should be the order of interventions?

Dental Implants

Implant restoration is a predictable, biologically acceptable methodology in modern dentistry. The problem lies in the correct diagnosis. How many implants? Where? What kind of implants? What kind of restorations? And this is where the concept of holistic intervention comes in. Can we save teeth?

Can we combine them with implants?

Do sinus lift surgeries or the placement of diagonal implants help overcome the invasive intervention of a sinus lift?

At our clinic, we try to minimize both the extent of the interventions and the cost, which are interlinked. We use digital tomography techniques to investigate the morphology of the tissues, utilize STRAUMANN implants with the best prognosis worldwide, and perform surgical interventions with fewer implants and fewer postoperative complications (all in four, diagonal implants).

Cases

Peri-implant Diseases

or what can happen to your implants

Peri-implant diseases are inflammations that develop around the implants. They may affect only the gums surrounding the implants, but they can also extend deeply into the bone, destroying the bone support of the implant. They are similar to periodontal diseases but progress much faster, and the inflammation is much more intense and persistent.

What are the symptoms? How common are they?

Why do peri-implant diseases occur?

What is the cause of peri-implant diseases?

Is there a treatment for peri-implant disease?

What is the best way to prevent it?

See sample cases

Sinus Lift

What does “sinus lift” mean?

This is a procedure applied when there is insufficient height and width of bone in the upper jaw to place an implant. A part of the sinus cavity is used, where a bone graft is placed, which serves as a scaffold for new bone to mature, and the implant is placed after 6 months.

Internal (osteotome crestal) approach

External (lateral window) approach

Periodontology

Treatment of advanced gum diseases and supporting tissues (periodontium)

Periodontal diseases (gum diseases) essentially affect everyone. They attack the support of the teeth and endanger the prognosis and maintenance of the teeth. Therefore, the necessary prerequisite for any restoration is the treatment of the periodontium. (the foundations…) However, each treatment must be accompanied by the patient’s awareness of the causes of these diseases. The holistic approach checks the diet that contributes to the retention of microbial plaque, thorough cleaning of the teeth, and training in the use of fluoride products for tooth protection. When all these are realized and applied, only then do we proceed with active treatment. At our clinic, we offer conservative or surgical treatment of periodontitis, tissue regeneration, use of growth factors, plastic surgeries, and coverage of recessions.

Thus, periodontal treatment is the basis of restoration but is accompanied by the patient’s own awareness of the problem and, most importantly, the maintenance of the result.

Aesthetic Dentistry

Aesthetic dentistry requires a holistic approach. Is it the morphology of the teeth? Is it the alignment? The crowding that worsens with age? An old orthodontic treatment where the retainer wasn’t maintained and the teeth returned to the previous condition? Fillings that have stained over time and appear as black islands? Swollen gums that cover the front teeth and bleed?

All these conditions, and many others, require again a holistic approach. First, the correct diagnosis and then actions that are as irreversible as possible. That is, they should be able to be changed again in the future if there is any alteration. These actions include gum treatment and elimination of any bleeding, replacement of old and stained fillings, aesthetic orthodontics, internal and external whitening, ceramic crowns, partial or full, as well as smaller interventions like Bonding techniques.

Cases

Invisalign

What is the Invisalign technique?

It is a form of orthodontic treatment that relies on the pre-planning of the final result. Using CAD-CAM techniques, transparent aligners are created to move the teeth accordingly. The aligners are replaced every 15 days. Each new aligner shifts the teeth a few millimeters, and in a period of 6-12 months, depending on the desired change, the treatment is completed.
The goal is to use this method for small movements in adult patients who want a combination of aesthetics and orthodontics. In this way, braces and wires are not needed. These aligners should be worn 24/7, with a break for meals. If worn fewer hours, the treatment completion will be delayed. For small movements, 4-6 aligners are enough, which means 6-7 months.

Crowns

Dental crowns are prosthetic restorations used for the covering and protection of a damaged or worn tooth. They are usually made from materials like porcelain, metal, or composite materials and are placed over the tooth after removing any decay. Crowns reinforce the tooth’s structure, improve its aesthetic appearance, and restore its function, allowing the patient to chew normally. They are often used in cases of severe wear, root canals, or after dental procedures.

Whitening

What is whitening and how is it achieved?

Whitening is a dental procedure in which the whiteness of the tooth is improved. It is a chemical process that effectively removes discoloration and stains on the tooth’s enamel. It is applied under the guidance of a dentist and can be performed in the following ways.

Endodontics

Root canal treatment or scientifically known as endodontic therapy is the process by which we remove the nerve of the tooth (alive or dead), clean the canals where it was located, and place a material to hermetically fill the space, so that bacteria cannot develop again.

New Technologies & Modern Techniques

Microscope

The microscope in the picture can magnify 25 times! Compared to the loupes used by dentists in everyday practice that magnify 8 times more, it helps in detecting cracks and fractures in teeth that hurt without any obvious clinical finding. It is also essential in microsurgical techniques for apical lesions and bone resorptions. The dental world, through the microscope, takes on a whole new dimension.

Electronic Scanner

Electronic scanning is a much easier impression process compared to the traditional method with the impression material and paste. It is faster, more precise, provides immediate review on a screen, allows storage, and enables direct sending to remote laboratories, making it easier for the dental laboratory to design and execute.

Dr. Georgios Makris

Textbook

Biology of Dental Implants

Author: Georgios P. Makris
Publisher: University Studio Press
Pages: 552

Implantology is a new scientific field in dentistry with rapid knowledge advancements. This book presents the biological foundation required for practicing clinical implantology (surgical and prosthetic aspects). It also extends to topics covered by related fields (mainly periodontology), as this is necessary for the completeness and structure required in a book that addresses the subject in its entirety rather than in isolation. The text provides the corresponding Anglo-Saxon terminology alongside key concepts, as translating these terms into Greek may not be accurate. The aim is for the book to contribute to the education and updating of students and dentists who wish to responsibly engage with this specific area of knowledge.

The book is available at

IANOS Bookstore

Hippocrates Bookstore

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