Dental check-up - the foundation of oral health
Specialist in the article
Revised 11/25/2022
Dental check-ups in a nutshell
- Even if there you have no acute problems in your mouth, you should have regular dental check-ups. Many oral conditions are asymptomatic for a long time and can only be detected during a dental check-up.
- Dental check-ups are painless and you do not require any treatments.
- Have you missed your dental check-ups? It is not an issue for us if your teeth are in bad shape.
Regular dental check-ups – that's why it pays off
Of course, you need to go to the dentist when you have a toothache or a chipped tooth, but it's worth visiting regularly even if you have no acute problems in your mouth.
- Anticipation. You can get away with less by taking preventive care of your mouth. Oral diseases are often deceptively latent, and only a dentist can detect the onset of an ailment. By the time you notice your teeth indicating an issue, the problem has been festering in your mouth for a long time.
- Savings. In the long run, regular dental check-ups pay off. It is usually easier and cheaper to correct problems at an early stage than to correct problems that are at an advanced stage.
- Overall health. Regular dental check-ups are an investment in your overall health, as your mouth is a direct route to your entire body. Infections that smoulder in the mouth can spread to the rest of your body, and a diseased mouth can be the cause of conditions such as heart and brain disease.
Preparing for a dental check-up
Many people brush their teeth just before a dental appointment as a courtesy to the dentist. It's a nice idea, but brushing your teeth is not necessary when preparing for a dental check-up.
Rather follow your usual dental routine – then we'll see how your self-care habits affect your teeth.
When you first come to us for a dental check-up, take some time to fill in the patient information form before your appointment. If you take medication regularly, you should bring a list of medicines with you to the appointment.
Many people are nervous about opening their mouth at the dentist. We will never judge your oral care. We prefer to focus on tomorrow's good self-care and help you with that. So come as you are!
Dental check-up - here's how it works
The dental check-up starts with a chat. We want to know about your general medical conditions, medications and allergies. We're interested to hear how you take care of your teeth at home - without judging your habits.
- Touch and feel. Your dentist will feel your masticatory muscles and lymph nodes. Your temporomandibular joints’ clicks and grinds are recorded.
- Mucous membranes. Next, the dentist will check the inside of your mouth and go over your oral mucous membranes.
- Bite. Then it's time to put your teeth together. The dentist will look at the relationship between your upper and lower jaws and the position of your teeth
- Teeth. The dentist checks each of your teeth, gently pressing and scratching. A fibre-optic light is used to look through the tooth.
- Gums. Your gums will be examined down to the interdental spaces and gingival pockets. If you have gingivitis, it may feel a little uncomfortable to examine your gums - if necessary, we will use anaesthesia and examine your gums during a separate visit.
Every few years, after an assessment of your individual needs, it is a good idea to have additional x-rays of your teeth at an additional cost so that your dentist can see hidden spaces between teeth and the seams of the fillings.
At the end of the check-up, the dentist will tell you everything that was found out about your mouth during the dental check-up. We will agree with you on any further treatment and give you an estimate of the cost.
You will receive suitable advice for self-care of your teeth at home. Finally, your dentist will tell you when the next dental check-up is due. You do not need to worry about remembering the time in your busy everyday life, as we will send you an invitation. We can also book an appointment for you right away.
As of March 15, 2023, the polyclinic fee does not have to be paid after more than five reception visits during the calendar year. After the fifth payment, the polyclinic fee is €0 for visits for the rest of the calendar year.
If you visit our clinic and do not pay for your appointment using the available payment methods, we will send you an invoice for your appointment. The invoicing fee is EUR 5.20.
If the procedure is booked with a specialist dentist, the prices are increased by 30%.
Check out Hammas Mehiläinen's flexible payment methods
Service | Price estimate |
---|---|
Dental check-up | 54,00 € Without Kela reimbursement 84,00 € |
Dental check-up for patients with dental fear | 91,00 € Without Kela reimbursement 121,00 € |
Children and young people dental check-up Prices include the clinic fee (€33.90). Book a dental check-up for children and young people Prices 207,75–239,75 €, without Kela reimbursement 227,90–259,90 € | 207,75 € Without Kela reimbursement 227,90 € |
Dental X-ray of the teeth and jaws | Mobile Benefit 98,00 € The price with a doctor's referral after Kela compensation is €86. 109,00 € Without Kela reimbursement 118,00 € |
Tartar removal 30–45 minute appointment with a dental hygienist. Book an appointment for tartar removal Explore different payment methods Prices 130,00–183,00 €, without Kela reimbursement 138,00–195,00 € | from 130,00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 138,00 € |
Tooth jewellery application The price does not include the price of tooth jewellery. | from 68,00 € No Kela reimbursement |
Dental fillings 1–3 surfaces. Prices 94,00–262,00 €, without Kela reimbursement 104,00–285,00 € | from 94,00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 104,00 € |
Ceramic filling of the tooth 1–3 surfaces. Explore different payment methods Prices 279,00–561,00 €, without Kela reimbursement 279,00–618,00 € | from 279,00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 279,00 € |
Dental ceramic crown Laboratory costs are not included in the price estimate. Explore different payment methods Prices 616,00–798,00 € | from 616,00 € No Kela reimbursement |
Chipped tooth Prices 94,00–262,00 €, without Kela reimbursement 104,00–285,00 € | from 94,00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 104,00 € |
Tooth extraction Explore different payment methods Prices 109,00–732,00 €, without Kela reimbursement 119,00–794,00 € | from 109,00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 119,00 € |
Tooth whitening Price estimate given at the free consultation appointment. Book an appointment for a free whitening consultation Prices 101,00–455,00 € | from 101,00 € No Kela reimbursement |
Whitening consultation appointment Includes an individual price estimate for teeth whitening. Book an appointment for a whitening consultation. | Free No Kela reimbursement |
Anaesthesia Prices 38,00–39,00 €, without Kela reimbursement 41,00–42,00 € | from 38,00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 41,00 € |
Irrevocable absence Prices 74,00–96,00 € | 74,00 € No Kela reimbursement |
Initial assessment of sleep apnea Learn more about sleep apnea and book an appointment (in Finnish) | from 57,00 € Without Kela reimbursement from 84,00 € |
Bite guard Includes clinical work and the bite guard. Prices 638,00–685,00 €, without Kela reimbursement 695,00–742,00 € | 638,00 € Without Kela reimbursement 695,00 € |
Symptoms related to oral health
Aphthae
Painful and itchy ulcer on the oral mucosa.
Bad breath
Often behind the smell is a problem that needs the help of a dentist.
Bruxism or teeth grinding
Tooth damage, sore bite muscles or headaches.
Chipped tooth
A piece of a tooth or a filling has come loose. Make an appointment with your dentist.
Dental cavity
Can feel like an enmity or a toothache - or you don't feel anything special.
Dental staining
Can be caused by a number of factors, such as cavities, enamel development disorders or foods.
Gingivitis
Bleeding from the gums, bad breath, bad taste in your mouth and sore gums.
Mucosal and oral diseases
The cause of severe or persistent mouth symptoms should be investigated by a dentist.
Periodontitis
A common disease of the connective tissue underneath the gums which is caused by gingivitis.
Sensitivity
Pricking and sudden pain, often caused by cold, hot or touching the tooth.
Tartar
Is a bacterial plaque hardened by salivary minerals.
Temporomandibular disorder (TMD)
Pain and dysfunction of the jaw joints and masticatory muscles.
Tooth enamel damage
Tooth enamel damage is caused by tooth wear or problems with biting.
Toothache
Can be caused by a cavity or an inflamed tooth, as well as a partially erupted wisdom tooth.
Other related services
A dental implant replaces
Specialist dentist consultation and planning of further treatment.
Ceramic CEREC filling
More durable than conventional filling materials and a more aesthetic result.
Ceramic fillings
Modern and aesthetic ways to repair damaged teeth.
Clear aligner treatment with Invisalign aligners
Dentist consultation visit and selection of the Invisalign treatment method.
Cosmetic dental care
Can be used to alter the appearance of teeth and fix functional issues.
Dental X-ray
An important part of oral health care and an effective way to reveal oral diseases that the eye cannot detect.
Dental check-up for children and young people
Specialist dental check-up visit for children and adolescents.
Dental cone beam imaging
Provides highly accurate three-dimensional information on dental and jaw structures.
Dental fear
Non-urgent consultation with a dentist specialized in treating patients with dental anxiety.
Dental fillings
Filling a tooth involves removing decayed tooth tissue and replacing it with a filling material.
Dental hygienist
Provides individual advice for tending to your oral health.
Dental laminates or veneers
Can be used to correct colour defects, straighten individual teeth on the dental arch without orthodontic treatment.
Dental specialists
Are dentists who are specialised in one of the disciplines of dentistry. Specialist dentist consultation.
Dental staining removal
Dental staining removal by a dental hygienist, including soda cleaning.
Dental treatment under general anaesthesia
The most common reason for performing dental treatment under general anaesthesia is dental fear.
Dentist
Performs oral health examinations and treats oral diseases and other problems.
Dentures or false teeth
Assessment and planning of further treatment by a specialist in prosthodontics.
Emergency dental care
Emergency visit for sudden toothache, accident or other acute symptoms.
Laser teeth whitening
A gel is applied to the surface of the teeth and the effect is enhanced by light.
Massage of masticatory muscles
The massage of masticatory muscles alleviates pain in the head and jaw area.
Occlusal splints or mouth guards
Help the teeth muscles relax and protect teeth and dental structures.
Oral surgery
The examination and surgical treatment of the masticatory system and related tissues, diseases, and injuries.
Orthodontic treatment
Specialist dentist consultation to assess the need for orthodontic treatment.
Root canal treatment
The dentist treats an infected pulp of a tooth.
Tartar removal
Removal of tartar performed by a dental hygienist, including soda cleaning.
Teeth whitening
The safest and best teeth whitening is performed by a dental hygienist or dentist.
Tooth extraction
Sometimes, a tooth is in such bad condition that it cannot be saved.
Tooth jewellery application
A dental hygienist applies tooth jewellery safely and durably.
White Spot treatment
Fading or removal of tooth discolorations.
Whitening consultation (free)
The purpose of the consultation is to identify a possible need for treatment.
Wisdom tooth extraction
Wisdom teeth usually cause problems because there is not enough space for them to erupt.
Frequently asked questions about dental check-ups
Regular appointments with a dentist are recommended, but the suitable frequency of appointments is individual. Your dentist at Hammas Mehiläinen will tell you when you should have your teeth checked next. We will remember and remind you about the appointment time: you will receive an invitation to your dental check-up at the right time!
Don't know when you should have your teeth checked? Contact us at Hammas Mehiläinen. We will find out together and, if necessary, make an appointment for a dental check-up.
A dental check-up typically takes about 20–30 minutes. We want to get to know you well, so if you are new to us, please take the time to fill in the patient information form before your appointment.
For those who have visited us before, periodic check-ups are easier, as your previous visit is on our records and we know your situation in advance.
Dental fear does not have to be an obstacle to a dental check-up. We don't belittle your fear, we take it into account during your dental check-up.
Having a dental check-up often even relieves dental fear, as it is a painless examination and there's no need for any treatments - we'll always arrange a treatment appointment with you.
If you wish, you can make an appointment with a dentist specialised in dental fear. They always have time to talk and listen to your feelings. In this case, make an appointment by phone 010 273 8000 (local network rate/mobile charge), so we can choose a dentist who specialises in patients with dental fear.
At Hammas Mehiläinen you know the price of your dental check-up in advance - check out our price list.
Are you familiar with our flexible payment methods? You can also pay for your dental check-up with an invoice or a separate payment at Hammas Mehiläinen.
X-ray examinations are subject to a separate fee. Your dentist will tell you in advance if your situation requires X-rays - they are not required at every check-up. However, every few years, even if you have no symptoms in your mouth, you should have an X-ray taken as it is the only way to get a complete overall picture of your teeth.