Praxis Dr. Hofmann

Prevention

Dental prophylaxis refers to the preventive protection of teeth. With proper and regular dental care, you can actively contribute to good oral hygiene and prevent dental problems. Prophylaxis encompasses various measures. Some of these can be implemented at home, while others are carried out by our practice team.

DENTAL PROPHYLAXIS AT HOME

Thorough and comprehensive oral hygiene offers effective protection against caries and other dental diseases. By brushing your teeth regularly, you remove harmful dental plaque from your teeth. Fluoride toothpaste further strengthens the teeth and makes them resistant to bacteria. The spaces between the teeth should also be cleaned once a day with dental floss or interdental brushes.

In addition to oral hygiene, dental problems can also be prevented with a healthy and balanced diet. While sugar attacks plaque and makes teeth susceptible to tooth decay, raw foods such as carrots, whole grain products, and calcium (found in dairy products and green vegetables) strengthen dental health.

Our practice team will be happy to answer any questions you may have about proper oral hygiene.

PROPHYLAXIS AT THE DENTAL PRACTICE

Regular professional teeth cleaning prevents dental disease. Our experienced prophylaxis assistants remove plaque and tartar even in places that you cannot reach at home. The removal of plaque and discoloration, as well as the careful cleaning of tooth surfaces and interdental spaces, supports optimal protection of the teeth. In addition, X-rays should be taken every two years to find and treat tooth decay even in hidden areas.

Dental fillings

Tooth decay is caused by bacteria that settle on teeth and between teeth as part of dental plaque. These bacteria produce acid that attacks the enamel. If teeth are not cared for properly, a hole will eventually form that needs to be filled. It is therefore important to remove plaque regularly by brushing your teeth and taking other preventive measures.

If teeth are affected by caries, the affected areas must be completely removed and the resulting holes filled with dental fillings. In the worst case, caries bacteria can penetrate to the root tip and spread to the bones and soft tissues of the face. In the worst case, the bacteria can travel through the bloodstream to the entire body and infect other organs. That is why we treat caries as early as possible.

TREATMENT METHODS

On request, we anesthetize the affected tooth so that the removal of the caries-affected areas with drills is painless. As a rule, we create an additional cavity in the tooth so that the filling can be securely held in place. The cavity is dried, disinfected, and filled with a base filling. The filling material (usually plastic) is then gradually inserted into the cavity until the defect is closed. We then remove any excess material to achieve a natural chewing load. Finally, the surface of the filling is polished smooth. The most common filling materials used to treat tooth decay are ceramic or plastic (composite).

• Composite fillings
  Composite fillings consist of plastic and other components that are applied directly into the tooth cavity. We match the filling material to the surrounding tooth color by using different shades of white composite. A UV lamp helps to harden the applied plastic. The treated tooth can be used again shortly after the filling has hardened.
  The advantage of composites lies in their excellent aesthetic properties and the fact that hardly any healthy tooth substance needs to be removed for their application. Composite fillings can still be repaired even after many years. With good oral hygiene, the fillings remain attractive for a long time.

• Ceramic fillings
  Ceramic is a resistant material that resembles natural tooth enamel in color. It is usually used as an inlay filling on posterior teeth, can withstand high chewing pressure, and is aesthetically almost perfect.

Periodontal treatment

Inflammation of the gums or the periodontium (periodontal ligament) is painful and requires urgent treatment. There are many causes: gum problems can be triggered by poor oral hygiene or frequent smoking, but also by poor nutrition or hormonal influences. Symptoms range from mild gum discomfort to swollen gums, bleeding gums, gum loss, or loose teeth.

COMBATING THE SOURCE OF INFLAMMATION

The first step is to locate the source of the inflammation and counteract it with cleansing and anti-inflammatory measures. In its early stages, gum inflammation (gingivitis) is easy to stop. However, once the inflammation spreads to the tooth bed (periodontitis), deep root cleaning or even surgery may be necessary.

Whenever possible, we avoid surgical procedures in periodontal treatment. In cases of very deep gum pockets, surgical procedures may be necessary for individual teeth. Depending on the extent and response to the therapy, supportive antibiotic treatment may be required.

Following periodontal treatment, it is important to support dental health through good oral hygiene and preventive measures.

 

Aesthetic tooth alignment corrections

Crooked or missing teeth disrupt the harmony of the face. Aesthetically optimal tooth alignment is an important part of one's appearance and boosts self-esteem.

Our practice corrects misaligned teeth using suitable methods and helps our patients achieve beautiful and functional teeth. We use classic braces or transparent plastic aligners. We use the Swiss OrthoFolio® system. In cases of severe jaw misalignment, we work together with specialist orthodontists.

EXTERNAL BRACES WITH BRACKETS

With external braces, brackets (small metal or ceramic plates) are connected with wires or elastic bands and attached to the outside of the teeth. The tension on the brackets gradually moves the teeth into the desired position. We adjust them regularly until the desired tooth position is achieved.

CLEAR BRACES (ALIGNERS)

Clear braces, known as aligners, are removable and barely visible to the naked eye. They offer the possibility of treating minor tooth misalignments discreetly and effectively.

We determine the necessary tooth position correction using state-of-the-art technology (3D scanner) and provide our patients with a set of around 30 different aligners, which they wear for 20 hours a day and change weekly. Each aligner moves the teeth a small amount until the desired tooth position is achieved.

We work with the OrthoFolio® system, 100% Swiss made, currently the most precise product on the market. It is made from a purely plant-based material and is well tolerated. The aligners are removed for eating and brushing teeth. Teeth should be brushed after every meal. This prevents bacteria from settling in the aligners.

 

Dental prostheses – crowns, veneers, and bridges

If a tooth can no longer be repaired, crowns, veneers, or bridges can help. These are durable dental prostheses made of plastic or ceramic that are modeled on natural teeth.

This treatment method creates an aesthetically perfect set of teeth that will make your smile look particularly beautiful.

DENTAL CROWNS

If a tooth is so badly damaged that we cannot restore it with a filling, a crown can help: it replaces the natural tooth crown with a precisely fitting duplicate. If necessary, the damaged tooth undergoes root canal treatment, is then reinforced, built up with plastic, and ground down. The tooth prepared in this way is finally covered with a precisely fitting ceramic crown or a veneered ceramic-metal crown: the tooth is thus restored to its original condition and provides lasting good service when biting.

VENEERS

The front teeth make the first impression and are important for your smile. Veneers are wafer-thin ceramic shells that we use to correct color or shape.

Veneers make aesthetic corrections easy: beautifying the front teeth with ceramic produces particularly beautiful and natural-looking results.

What are the advantages of veneers?

• Veneers are gentle on the teeth and cause no collateral damage
• They cover gaps or cracks in the teeth
• Their color and shape can be matched to the adjacent teeth
• Veneers help to achieve perfect dental aesthetics
• Veneers are extremely durable when cared for properly. We support you with comprehensive care instructions.

BRIDGES

A bridge is used to fill a gap in the teeth, usually caused by tooth loss. A bridge requires at least two teeth—the abutment teeth—which are fitted with a crown. The artificial teeth are then attached to these crowns as pontics.

We have been working with the Jenni dental laboratory in Fulenbach for many years to provide dental prostheses.

 

Implants – artificial tooth roots

Dental implants are special screw-like bodies (usually made of titanium) that are surgically inserted into the jawbone and serve as artificial tooth roots. They form the base on which an artificial tooth, a bridge, or a dental prosthesis can be attached in the next step.

A dental implant provides a secure hold for the inserted denture and helps to restore the aesthetics and chewing function of the dentition. As it continues to stimulate the jawbone, it also helps to prevent bone loss in the jaw.

INSERTION OF AN IMPLANT

The insertion and healing of the dental implant takes several months. The first step is to prepare the jaw for the artificial tooth root. Once the screw thread has been inserted, a lengthy healing process follows. Over several months, the gums close around the wound. This ensures that the jawbone does not reject the foreign body that has been inserted. Once the wound has healed well, the artificial tooth crown can be fitted.

WHEN ARE DENTAL IMPLANTS CONSIDERED?

Dental implants are used in various situations. The most common reasons for placing dental implants are:

• To close a single tooth gap: An implant is a good way to close a single tooth gap. It prevents misalignments from forming in the jaw due to the missing tooth and completely restores the chewing function of the dentition. Another important advantage of implants over other forms of dental prostheses is that there is no need to grind down the adjacent teeth.
• As an anchor for removable dentures: Partial or full dentures can also be anchored to implants using snap fasteners. They provide a secure hold, and the artificial tooth root helps to prevent bone loss.
• As pillars for extended bridges: While conventional bridges are fixed to adjacent teeth, known as abutment teeth, it is also possible to attach them completely or partially to dental implants. An implant-supported bridge offers the advantage of preserving the existing tooth substance and providing a perfect visual finish to the gums.
• For anchoring an entire dental arch: Four implants are usually used for fixation. According to the "All-on-Four" principle, we anchor an entire dental arch, 12 teeth, to four abutments (implants) in the upper or lower jaw.

We have decades of experience with implants and would be happy to explain the various possible applications to you.

Pediatric dentistry – care from the first baby tooth

Are you looking for a pediatric dentist in Solothurn? Then you've come to the right place: we provide school dental care and are experts in pediatric dentistry. We regularly examine schoolchildren in our practice. Of course, we also treat younger children – our motto is: care from the first baby tooth.

Regular visits to the dentist are important for children because their teeth are still growing. That is why we protect their baby teeth from disease. This includes a playful introduction to brushing their teeth so that even the youngest children are protected from tooth decay from infancy onwards. To ensure that our young patients come to our practice without any worries or fears, we place particular emphasis on three points when treating children:

• We educate parents and children about good oral hygiene, regular tooth brushing, and a low-sugar diet. Age-appropriate dental care should be incorporated into everyday life from the moment the first baby tooth appears.
• Since the enamel of baby teeth is more susceptible to tooth decay and dental disease, we strengthen and protect it as needed with preventive measures such as fluoridation of baby teeth.
• We treat children with patience, empathy, and understanding, and show them and their parents in a playful way what is important when brushing their teeth. We are happy to take the time to answer your questions. Children should have positive memories of their visit to the dentist.

During our examinations, we also assess the position of the teeth and take the necessary measures if orthodontic treatment, for example with braces, is required.

No fear of the dentist

At our practice, you don't need to be afraid of the dentist—we treat you with empathy and care. We explain the proposed treatment step by step and respond to your needs. Please let us know your wishes and any concerns you may have when you register. We will take time for you and discuss the options for pain-free treatment with you. Once you are sitting in the treatment chair, you can help decide the pace and further steps of the procedure. We will treat you with patience, tact, and largely pain-free.

We use various methods to ensure pain-free treatment:

LOCAL ANESTHESIA

Local anesthesia of teeth or gums is the most common measure for pain-free treatment. We have a lot of experience in administering anesthetic injections. You will not feel much from the injection, and after injecting the anesthetic, we carefully check its effect before continuing with the treatment. This largely prevents pain during treatment.

TREATMENTS WITH NITROUS OXIDE

Oxygen nitrous oxide is a great help for patients who want pain-free treatment: after inhaling the gas mixture through a nasal mask, they feel a sense of lightness and relaxation after just a few minutes. The anesthetic injection is then hardly noticeable. Strong swallowing reflexes, which often make dental treatment difficult, are almost completely eliminated with nitrous oxide.

We have many years of experience in the use of nitrous oxide and will be happy to advise you on the choice of a suitable anesthesia method.

Dental hygiene – for bright and healthy teeth

Regular dental hygiene is essential for long-term dental health. Periodic removal of plaque is necessary even with good oral hygiene, because over time, tartar builds up in hard-to-reach areas and between teeth. Only by removing this plaque regularly can tooth decay and gum inflammation be reliably prevented.

Professional teeth cleaning at our practice complements your personal dental care at home. This is where dental hygiene helps: our experienced prophylaxis assistants remove tartar with special hand instruments and can even reach the back corners of your mouth. We carry out a comprehensive check of your oral health and ensure the long-term success of our dental treatments.

The advantages of dental hygiene at a glance:

• Professional teeth cleaning thoroughly removes plaque and tartar.
• Dental hygiene makes fillings, implants, and dentures more durable.
• Damage to teeth and gums is detected at an early stage.
• Dental hygiene ensures well-cared-for and healthy teeth – for a lifetime.

For discoloration that has built up on the teeth over the years, we recommend professional teeth whitening.

TEETH CLEANING

During teeth cleaning, we remove tartar, plaque, and discoloration, even in hard-to-reach areas. Our experienced prophylaxis assistants clean all interdental spaces and tooth surfaces, complementing your teeth cleaning at home.

Regular professional teeth cleaning is essential for healthy and radiant teeth.

BLEACHING

Our teeth are naturally ivory-colored, but they usually become darker with age. The consumption of foods such as tea, coffee, or red wine, the use of medications, or regular smoking also cause color pigments to be deposited in the enamel and discolor the teeth. If teeth cleaning does not help, bleaching can successfully whiten discolored teeth.

We perform teeth whitening using a bleaching gel that is applied to a custom-made tray (home bleaching). The gel breaks down the color pigments stored in the tooth into colorless compounds. The effect depends on the duration of application. For severely discolored teeth, several treatments are necessary to achieve the desired level of brightness.