Frequently Asked QuestionsFrequently Asked Questions 

A prosthodontist is a dentist who, after dental school, has completed specialist training in restoring missing or damaged teeth for both function and appearance. Crowns, bridges, veneers, implant-supported prostheses, removable dentures and the planning of jaw joint-related problems all fall within this field. Training and areas of focus are described on the about page.

At the first appointment your concerns and expectations are discussed, and your teeth, gums, bite and jaw joints are examined. Records such as X-rays, photographs and a digital scan may be taken if needed. Possible treatment options, their advantages, limitations and an outline of the process are then explained; the final plan is agreed once the records have been assessed. To book, see the contact page.

It helps to bring any recent dental X-rays or CT scans, reports from previous treatment, a list of the medicines you take regularly and key health information – for example heart conditions, diabetes, blood thinners or allergies. If you wear a night guard or a removable denture, bring that too. You can send questions in advance via the contact page.

Consultations and explanations can be given in Turkish, English, Persian (Farsi) and Azerbaijani. Discussing treatment options, consent forms and aftercare in a language you are comfortable with makes decisions easier and reduces misunderstandings. You can state your preferred language when you request an appointment; details are on the contact page.

Dr. Maryam Fazeli sees patients in İzmir at Nifa Dent International in Bornova and at İzmir Dent Oral and Dental Health Polyclinic in Karabağlar. As her days at each clinic may vary, please confirm the location when booking. Addresses, phone numbers and directions are on the contact page.

It depends entirely on your treatment plan, so an exact number of days cannot be given before an examination and records. Typically the first visit covers examination, records and preparation, followed – after the laboratory stage – by try-in and fitting appointments. Treatments that need healing time, such as implants, may require two or more trips. You can get in touch for an initial assessment.

Photos and X-rays can help with a general first impression and with planning your visit. However, a definitive diagnosis and treatment plan require a clinical examination, new imaging where needed, and a direct assessment of your teeth, gums and bite. A remote review should be seen as preliminary information only. See the contact page for how to send them.

Smile design is the planning of tooth shape, colour, length and alignment – and gum levels – so that they harmonise with your face, lips and speech. It is not a single procedure but a treatment plan that may combine whitening, veneers, crowns, gum contouring or orthodontics, depending on the person. Find out more on the smile design page.

The number of appointments depends on the techniques used and how many teeth are involved. Plans with veneers or crowns usually include an examination and records visit, a try-in (mock-up) and preparation visit, and – after the laboratory stage – fitting appointments. Any preliminary treatment can extend the timeline. Your personal schedule becomes clear after a smile design assessment.

In most cases, yes. Digital planning and an in-mouth try-in made from temporary material (a mock-up) let you see and assess the proposed tooth shape and length before any treatment begins, and changes can be discussed at this stage. A mock-up is a preview tool; the final result may differ slightly depending on materials and tissues. See digital dentistry for details.

There is no fixed upper age limit; what matters is the condition of the teeth, gums and general health. For permanent restorations such as veneers or crowns, tooth and gum development should usually be complete, so more conservative options tend to be preferred in teenagers. Suitability is assessed at a smile design consultation.

Restorations can last for many years, but no restoration lasts forever. How long they serve depends on oral hygiene, grinding, gum health, diet and regular check-ups, and maintenance, repair or replacement may be needed over time. General expectations for each material are explained on the fixed prosthetics page.

Cost depends on the number of teeth treated, the chosen material, any preliminary treatment needed (gum care, root canals, fillings) and the digital planning and laboratory work involved. In line with Turkish healthcare advertising regulations, this website does not publish fees. A personal plan and information are provided after an examination; to book, see the contact page.

It depends on the condition of each tooth. For front teeth with largely intact structure, veneers are usually considered for changes in colour and shape, as they generally need less tooth reduction. For teeth with large fillings, fractures or root canal treatment, and for back teeth, crown-type restorations such as zirconia may be more appropriate. See the comparison on the fixed prosthetics page.

Studies report that zirconia crowns can serve for many years under suitable conditions, but it would not be accurate to promise a specific lifespan for any individual. Longevity depends on oral hygiene, gum health, grinding, the condition of the underlying tooth and regular check-ups, and good maintenance helps prevent decay and gum problems around the crown. More on the fixed prosthetics page.

Well-planned and properly bonded veneers are durable in everyday use, but the risk of chipping or debonding can never be removed completely. Biting hard objects with the front teeth, nail biting and untreated grinding all increase that risk, so a night splint may be recommended if you grind. This is also covered on the TMJ and bruxism page.

Tooth preparation is usually done under local anaesthetic, and most patients find it comfortable. For a few days afterwards there may be some sensitivity to hot and cold or mild gum tenderness, which settles on its own in most people. Pain that persists or gets worse should be checked. The treatment process is explained on the fixed prosthetics page.

Ceramic and zirconia surfaces resist staining better than natural teeth and composite fillings. However, staining at the margins, edges becoming visible if the gums recede, or neighbouring natural teeth changing shade over time can all affect how well they blend in. That is why regular maintenance and check-ups matter. Materials are compared on the fixed prosthetics page.

While temporaries are in place, sticky and very hard foods should be avoided. Once the final restorations are bonded, most people can return to a normal diet, but habits such as cracking nuts or seeds, chewing ice or opening packaging with your teeth can damage ceramic restorations. Personal advice is given at the end of treatment; general information is on the fixed prosthetics page.

Both options exist. Fixed prostheses are attached to the implants with screws or cement and are not removed by the patient, although the dentist can remove them when needed. Removable overdentures clip onto the implants and can be taken out by the patient for cleaning. The choice depends on bone, number of implants, aesthetic expectations and ease of cleaning. More on the implant prosthetics page.

A hybrid prosthesis is a fixed bridge, usually for a fully toothless jaw, that is screwed to the implants, is not removed by the patient and replaces both teeth and gum. An overdenture is a removable denture that clips onto the implants via attachments and is taken out for cleaning. They differ in maintenance, speech and support. See the comparison on the implant prosthetics page.

Both aim to support a fixed bridge on implants in a fully toothless jaw. The main difference is the number of implants: four in All-on-4 and six in All-on-6. Which is more suitable depends on the amount and quality of bone, the shape of the jaw, bite forces and the design of the prosthesis. Details are on the implant prosthetics page.

Limited bone is not always an obstacle, but it can change the plan. Bone volume is assessed with a CT scan, and options such as angled implants, bone grafting or different prosthesis designs are then discussed with the surgical team. In some cases a removable prosthesis may be the more suitable choice. Options are summarised on the implant prosthetics page.

Review intervals are tailored to each person; check-ups are often more frequent in the first year and then usually every six or twelve months. At each visit the gums around the implants, bone levels, screw tightness, wear of the prosthesis and the bite are assessed, along with any night splint if you grind. Aftercare is covered on the implant prosthetics page.

In some cases attachments can be added to an existing denture so that it clips onto implants, but the denture’s fit, age and wear must be suitable. Often, planning a new prosthesis together with the implants gives a more predictable result. The decision is made after examination and imaging. Options are explained on the implant prosthetics page.

Signs that suggest bruxism include tired jaw muscles or temple pain in the morning, flattened or worn teeth, fillings that keep breaking and a grinding noise your partner hears at night. Checking during the day whether your teeth are touching can also be revealing. An examination confirms it; see the TMJ and bruxism page for more.

For many people, jaw joint and muscle pain eases over time with jaw rest, a softer diet and lower stress. However, symptoms that last more than a few weeks, keep returning or limit mouth opening should be examined. Early assessment can help limit further tooth wear and the progression of muscle pain. More on the TMJ and bruxism page.

Shop-bought guards can offer short-term protection, but because they do not fit accurately and are not adjusted to your bite, they may tire the jaw muscles further in some people. Some designs can also affect tooth position if worn long term. For grinding and jaw pain, a custom-made hard splint is generally preferred. See the TMJ and bruxism page.

Sleep bruxism varies from night to night and cannot be predicted, so a protective splint is usually worn every night. When a splint is used for jaw pain, how long and how often to wear it is decided with your dentist according to how symptoms progress. Clean it regularly and bring it to check-ups. Care tips are on the TMJ and bruxism page.

If the jaw catches briefly and frees itself, stay calm, avoid forcing it and arrange an examination soon. If you suddenly cannot close or open your mouth and it does not resolve within a few minutes, seek help from a doctor or an emergency department without delay. Repeated locking needs a detailed assessment; see the TMJ and bruxism page.

Jaw joint pain often involves more than one field. Alongside the dental examination, referral to a physiotherapist, an ENT specialist, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, a neurologist or a sleep physician may be arranged when needed. This collaboration helps identify the true source of pain and avoid unnecessary treatment. The approach is described on the TMJ and bruxism page.

An intraoral scanner records a three-dimensional digital model of your teeth and gums using a small scanning wand. Instead of a tray filled with impression material, the images go straight to a computer, where the scan can be checked on screen immediately and sent digitally to the laboratory. More on the digital dentistry page.

For many people, yes. Intraoral scanning involves no impression material filling the mouth, and the scan can be done in sections with breaks, which people with a strong gag reflex usually find easier. In some situations, however, a conventional impression may still be needed. Details are on the digital dentistry page.

It depends on the type and number of restorations, the material and the laboratory workflow. Computer-aided design and milling can shorten some stages, but try-ins, shade matching and finishing still take time. Your personal timeline is shared together with your treatment plan. The CAD/CAM process is explained on the digital dentistry page.

Digital smile design lets you see proposed tooth shapes and proportions before treatment, and an in-mouth try-in (mock-up) allows the design to be tested in real life. However, the on-screen image is a planning tool: the final result can differ depending on tissues, materials and lighting. More on the smile design page.

Digital scans and photographs are used for planning, communicating with the laboratory and comparing changes over time, such as tooth wear. They can also be reused when a new restoration or splint is needed. These records are personal health data, so under Turkish data protection law (KVKK) they must be safeguarded and used only for healthcare purposes. See the digital dentistry page.