FAQ

Organisation/administration:

• How can I obtain an informative offer online?

  Obtaining a precise and detailed offer is only possible after a digital orthopan and an examination of the oral cavity have been made. We therefore advise you to come to the clinic in person to get an expert opinion and the best solution for your situation. The first examination and digital orthopan are free and not binding.

  You can make an appointment for the first examination by calling one of the following numbers or by e-mail:

  TOLL-FREE NUMBER 800 17 30 17
  PHONE: 00385 51 262 363
  GSM: 00385 91 178 8006
  E-mail: richieste@kalmardent.com

• How can I reach your clinic?

  You can find us at Ljubljanska cesta 6, 51000 Rijeka (Bivio), just 40 km from the Italian border. To schedule an appointment for your first examination or if you need help in making arrangements for your arrival, please call one of the following numbers so that our friendly staff can help you organise your arrival. We also provide organised transportation from all parts of Italy.

  TOLL-FREE NUMBER 800 17 30 17
  PHONE: 00385 51 262 363
  GSM: 00385 91 178 8006
  E-mail: richieste@kalmardent.com

• What does the first examination look like?

  The first examination includes digital orthopan imaging and an oral examination, based on which you will get an expert opinion and the best solution for your situation, as well as a detailed offer with specification of all costs. The first examination and digital orthopan are free of charge.

  If the situation requires the installation of dental implants or if there are certain inflammations or complicated tooth extractions, it will be necessary to do a 3D CBCT in order to see the condition of the bone tissue and to be able to accurately plan the therapy. The price of the 3D CBCT is 750 kn (100 €), which you will then get on CD.

• Is the first examination free of charge even if I don't accept the offer?

  The first examination and digital orthopan are free and not binding. You are free to make an appointment for the first examination, without any obligation.

• What methods of payment are there? ?

  You can make payments in cash, by debit and credit cards, and by bank transfer. Should you decide to pay for our services by bank transfer, payment must be made 2 days before your arrival at the clinic. We do not accept checks. Cash payment is exclusively in HRK.

• Is there accommodation inside the clinic?

  If you would like us to help you find accommodation during your stay at the clinic, please feel free to contact us on our toll-free number 800 17 30 17 or GSM: 00385 91 178 8006 or by e-mail richieste@kalmardent.com where our friendly staff will be happy to help organise your stay.

• Are there any restaurants close to the clinic?

  There is an excellent restaurant "La Forchetta" inside the clinic overlooking the Kvarner Bay, where you can taste a variety of Mediterranean dishes from top chefs or just have a coffee or snack while you wait for your appointment.

• Are all works covered by the warranty?

  All our implant prosthetic works are covered by the warranty.

• How long do I need to wait to get an appointment?

  To make an appointment, please feel free to call our toll-free number 800 17 30 17 or GSM: 00385 91 178 8006 or send an e-mail to richieste@kalmardent.com and you will receive the first available appointment. In case of emergency, please contact us immediately so that we can welcome you as soon as possible.

• Is it possible to receive the invoice in a foreign language?

  All our invoices are issued in Croatian with a translation of the patient’s country of origin.

• What is the current situation with regard to arrival due to Covid-19?

  At the moment, there are no obstacles for crossing the border and everything is proceeding as usual. You need confirmation from the clinic that you are coming for an examination. We send confirmation by e-mail and it is necessary to print it out and show it to the border employee.

  Croatian police recommend filling in the questionnaire that you will find on the website https://entercroatia.mup.hr/ before departure in order to reduce the waiting time at the border.

  Our clinic has taken maximum security measures, from measuring our visitor’s temperature at the entrance, we have disinfectants readily available in each room and wearing a mask is mandatory for both patients and staff. Sterilisation meets the strictest European Union standards.

  We follow the instructions of the Ministry of Health and the Institute of Public Health fully.

• Is it possible to buy antibiotics (medicines) in Croatia?

  Should you need to take antibiotics after the procedure, the doctor will give you a prescription that you can pick up/buy at a pharmacy that you can find just 3 km from the clinic.

• Does the work last as long as its warranty?

  However long your work will last mainly depends on you, on the way you maintain your daily oral hygiene, on regular check-ups and on your life habits. With thorough and proper oral hygiene, prosthetic work can last a lifetime.

• Is someone available at your phone number 24/7 in case of emergency?

  In case of emergency, you can contact the clinic at any time, the operator on duty will respond. Contact numbers are 00385 51 262 363 GSM 00385 91 178 8026

• Are arrivals and departures to the clinic organised in one day?

  Arrivals at the clinic are usually organised in one day. Since we are located just 40 km from the Italian border, it is possible to come for an examination, carry out the procedure and return home in one day.

• Which documents are necessary to cross the border?

  Citizens of the European Union are required to have an identity card to cross the border.

  For those living in Italy who do not have Italian citizenship, a residence permit in Italy and a passport of the country from where they are citizens are required.

  You will need a confirmation from the clinic that you are coming for an examination. We send confirmation by e-mail and it is necessary to print it out and show it to the border employee.

  We also advise filling out the questionnaire that you will find on the website https://entercroatia.mup.hr/

• Will someone from the clinic contact me for further appointments?

  After the examination or procedure, you can schedule the next appointment immediately at reception with our employees or subsequently by calling the toll-free number 800 17 30 17 or 00385 51 262 363 or by e-mail at: info@kalmardent.com

• Is it possible for you to fill out my insurance documentation?

  Certainly, our friendly staff at the reception are at your disposal for all assistance in filling out insurance documents or other necessary documentation.

• What is an implant passport/booklet?

  We issue a passport or implant booklet with a warranty card to each patient who has had implants installed at our clinic. You will find information on which brand of implant has been implanted, the model, type and its diameter in the implant passport/booklet.

Surgical procedures/implantology:

• Is implant placement a painful procedure?

  All procedures are performed under local anaesthesia and are completely painless for the patient. After the operation, you can expect slight swelling (maximum on the third day after the procedure) and short-term pain within tolerable limits. Should you experience pain, you can take the usual painkillers (Ketonal, Neofen forte, Voltaren), but not Aspirin or Andol as they stimulate bleeding. Ice in a plastic bag or a cold compress can be used to relieve swelling for the first 12 hours after the procedure at intervals: 10-minute cooling /10-minute break.

• How long does implant placement take?

  Dental implant placement is a short-term surgical procedure and it takes approximately 20 minutes to install 1 implant.

• Is it normal for the wound to bleed after the procedure?

  After the operation, it is normal for the wound to bleed a little more, in small amounts, that is drops of blood, however, as the blood comes in contact with saliva, it may seem that it is in larger amounts. Be sure to avoid rinsing your mouth. If the wound does not stop bleeding after a few days, be sure to contact us.

• Do I have to remove the stitches after the procedure?

  No, we use dissolving sutures that break down on their own, so no additional visits to the surgery are required. You can expect the stitches to fall off on their own 10-15 days after the procedure.

• How do I have to prepare for the procedure?

  We advise you to eat a light meal before the procedure, as it will not be possible to eat until after the anaesthesia has subsided. If you are taking certain medications, be sure to talk to your GP about the time you have been taking the medication before or on the day of the procedure. Strictly avoid smoking before your operation so as not to compromise the success of therapy and wound healing. Be sure to measure your blood pressure if you have high blood pressure or if you are diabetic, make sure to measure and regulate your blood sugar on the day of the procedure.

• How do I have to maintain dental hygiene during implant therapy?

  We recommend the use of an extremely soft toothbrush and good brushing of the surrounding teeth to avoid contamination of the wound. It is advisable to clean the interested area carefully with a cotton bud or a piece of cotton wool soaked in chlorhexidine solution (CHX). Avoid electric toothbrushes and water flossers a few days after the procedure. Mouthwash is also not recommended in the days following your operation.

• Do I have to take certain medications after the procedure?

  After surgery, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics and painkillers. Be sure to take the full prescribed dose of antibiotics.

• What do I have to avoid after implant placement?

  After surgery, we advise that you avoid chewing food on the operated side; if possible, it is recommended you chew soft and lukewarm food. We also advise that you avoid drinking through a straw. For the first week, hard physical work, sports, diving, saunas and sunbathing should be avoided. Smoking is STRICTLY forbidden for at least 24 hours after the procedure, and it is recommended to refrain from smoking for at least 2 weeks after the operation, so as not to compromise the success of therapy and wound healing.

• Am I a candidate for implant placement?

  Any healthy person with a sufficient amount of alveolar bone is a candidate for implant therapy. However, for accurate and safe planning of implant therapy, 3D CBCT and examination of the oral cavity are necessary.

• If I am taking blood clotting medicines (cardio aspirin) or other medication, can I place an implant?

  If you are taking anticoagulants or other medication, constantly or occasionally, be sure to consult your GP about how to take it before or on the day of the procedure.

• Is it possible to extract a tooth and place an implant immediately after it?

  The standard procedure after tooth extraction is to wait 2-3 months for the bone tissue to recover and only then to install the implant. However, if the surgeon assesses that the bone is in optimal condition, it is possible to install an implant immediately after tooth extraction (immediate implantation) and sometimes to place a temporary prosthetic solution. In this way, the elapsed time from tooth extraction to the production of the final prosthetic work is shortened.

• What is implant osseointegration?

  The procedure of implant placement involves placing the implant in the jawbone, and the integration or fusion of the implant with the bone is called osseointegration. The period of osseointegration lasts from 3-5 months, after which the final prosthetic work can be made.

• Is an allergic reaction to implant possible?

  No, so far no allergic reaction to the implant, that is to titanium, the material from which the implants are made, has been recorded. Titanium is characterised by the high biocompatibility of materials, its high strength, low weight and exceptional durability.

• Is it possible for implant rejection to occur?

  Implant rejection implies non-adhesion of the implant to the bone, that is insufficient stability of the implant in the bone, which is necessary for the final prosthetic work.

  A very small percentage of implants are rejected (about 1%), that is the implant does not adhere to the bone. We have a very high percentage of successfully placed implants at our clinic, over 99%, thanks to the knowledge and expertise of our surgeons, high quality dental implants and the strictly controlled sterile conditions in the office.

• Do I have to pay for the implant again if rejection occurs?

  If the implant has been rejected, it can be re-installed after a period of healing (2-3 months). The cost of re-installation is borne entirely by the clinic, if the patient had followed all postoperative instructions (maintained hygiene, avoided smoking...)

• Can I drive a car and go to work immediately after the implant procedure?

  After implants are placed, you can drive a car as normal. However, if you are going on a longer trip, we advise you to come accompanied or postpone it for the next day.

  You can also go to work as normal; of course, you will need to avoid hard physical work during the first week after surgery.

• Can I undergo surgical procedures during pregnancy?

  It is recommended to wait for the period of pregnancy and breastfeeding to pass; however, if a specific emergency dental procedure is necessary, it is safest to do it in the second trimester of pregnancy, all in agreement with your gynaecologist.

• How should I behave after tooth extraction?

  After tooth extraction, it is necessary to avoid physical exertion, exposure to the sun and smoking for the first week. For the first few days, it is recommended to eat soft and cold food and, if possible, to avoid chewing on the side where the procedure was carried out. We also advise patients not to drink from a straw. Avoid rinsing the oral cavity for the first 24 hours after the procedure so as not to compromise wound healing. One or two days after the procedure, it is recommended to rinse the oral cavity two to three times a day with chlorhexidine-based mouthwash (CHX), for a maximum of 14 days. For pain, you can take the usual painkillers (Ketonal, Neofen forte, Voltaren), but not Aspirin or Andol as they stimulate bleeding. To relieve swelling, ice in a plastic bag or cold compresses can be used for the first 12 hours following the procedure alternating with a 10-minute cooling/10-minute break.

• How should I behave after a sinus lift?

  Sneezing and nasal discharge should be controlled in the first two weeks after surgery to prevent sinus pressure from building up. Smoking, heating of the wound as well as increasingly strenuous physical activities are not recommended. It is explicitly forbidden to drink through a straw after the operation. We recommend the use of nasal spray (Operil, Olynth) three times a day for the first 5 days after surgery. It is necessary to eat soft and cold foods and avoid chewing in that area. Do not brush the surgical area for at least 2 weeks following the procedure, but use cotton buds or a soaked piece of cotton wool. A day or two after surgery, start using chlorhexidine-based mouthwash (CHX, 0.12%) two to three times a day, for a maximum of 14 days. Brush the teeth that are not covered by the procedure normally, with a softer brush. To relieve swelling, ice in a plastic bag or cold compresses can be used for the first 12 hours after the procedure alternating with 10-minute cooling /10-minute breaks.

Prosthetic works:

• What is the difference between metal ceramic and zircon crowns?

  In metal ceramic crowns, the base that rests directly on the tooth or implant is made of a metal alloy that is completely covered with ceramic. Metal ceramic crowns are characterised by exceptional strength and resistance, and for this reason they are most often used on posterior teeth where there are strong masticatory forces.

  A zircon ceramic crown, unlike a metal ceramic crown, has a zircon base that imitates a natural tooth better than the metal alloy. They are characterised by transparency and translucency that enables partial light transmission, making them more like a natural tooth. Zircon is a biocompatible material and does not cause any allergic reactions.

• What is the best solution should only one tooth be missing, an implant or a bridge?

  Should only one tooth be missing, if there is a sufficient amount of alveolar bone, we would recommend the installation of a dental implant so that we do not have to mill the adjacent healthy teeth. If the adjacent teeth are already compromised (endodontically treated, milled, have inadequate fillings...), then a good prosthetic solution would be the production of a bridge.

• How should I maintain dental bridge hygiene?

  In order for your dental bridge to last as long as possible, thorough daily oral hygiene and regular annual check-ups at the dentist, as well as professional cleaning of tartar, are mandatory.

  The daily hygiene of dental bridge is no different from the hygiene of natural teeth. We recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day with soft toothbrushes, daily flossing, interdental brushes and rinsing your mouth with antibacterial water.

• Can I have prosthetic work within a week?

  In order for your work to be of high quality and long-lasting, it is necessary to respect certain phases of work and the time period between each phase. If the situation in the mouth allows it, it is possible to do prosthetic work in a week, but it depends on the specific situation. The goal is to carry out work that will solve your problems in the long run, and we advise you to listen to the dentist's suggestions to make the final result perfect.

• Do I have to come to your clinic for annual check-ups?

  In order to exercise the right to a guarantee, it is necessary to come for check-ups in our clinic twice a year. Controls and cleaning of tartar are extremely important in order for the work carried out to last as long as possible.

• Is it possible to attach a photograph of teeth I would like you to make for me?

  You can and we will try to respect your wishes, but that does not mean that these teeth correspond to the current physiognomy of your face. When making prosthetic works, we apply an individual approach, as we want the teeth to fit perfectly in the face and personality of the patient in size, colour and shape.

• I suffer from bruxism, how can I preserve the prosthetic work?

  Bruxism is an unconscious clenching and grinding of teeth that usually occurs overnight, during sleep and cannot be controlled. It causes excessive wear of the teeth and completely new prosthetic works are often destroyed in a short time. To preserve your teeth, we advise making a dental splint that is worn during sleep. The splint can be made in our laboratory, and is ready in just a few hours. It is made from a thin transparent material, is light, and does not present any discomfort when worn.

• What if I am not satisfied with my final prosthetic work?

  Before cementing the finished prosthetic work, the patient can have several tests where he will see what the work will look like and participate in the making of the prosthetic work with his suggestions. We will never permanently cement any work before the patient is completely satisfied.

Temporary prostheses:

• How to behave when having temporary prostheses or temporary prosthetic replacements?

  A patient with a temporary prosthesis or temporary prosthetic work can eat, talk, and laugh normally. The adjustment process on the prosthesis is individual and can take as long as a few days. We advise consuming softer foods and completely avoiding certain foods such as nuts, hard and soft candies, hard cereals, etc...

  It is necessary to carry out daily oral hygiene after removal in accordance with the dentist's instructions at least twice a day. Temporary prosthetic work also needs to be brushed with a toothbrush so that plaque or bacteria do not accumulate on the prosthesis.

• Will anyone notice that I have a temporary prosthesis?

  No, don't worry, only you will know that you have a temporary prosthesis. We make prostheses in our laboratory, in a way that their function and aesthetics correspond to the wishes of the patients as much as possible. With temporary work, you can function normally until you get the final prosthetic work.

• Will my temporary prosthesis fall out?

  The temporary prosthesis will not fall out and you will not have an uncomfortable feeling. Exceptions are situations immediately after tooth extraction or implant placement when, due to the expected swelling and soreness, it is not even recommended to wear prostheses for the first few days in order to facilitate and speed up wound healing. In this case, an additional visit is sometimes required for remodelling or lining of the prosthesis to make it functional again.

Radiology

• Can I get an informative offer before the orthopan has been made?

  You can get a precise and detailed offer only after the examination of the orthopan and the oral cavity. An orthopan is a two-dimensional X-ray of all teeth of both the upper and lower jaw and surrounding bone structures that is necessary in making a correct diagnosis and planning accurate and safe dental therapy.

• In which situations is an 3D CBCT image necessary?

  It is necessary if the panoramic image does not give us enough information about the desired area around the tooth/teeth or the position of anatomical structures. However, it is necessary before planning any implant or surgical procedure (implant placement, complicated tooth and wisdom tooth extraction, cyst removal or maxillary sinus lift).

• Is radiation dangerous during orthopan or 3D CBCT imaging?

  The device we use is from the Japanese manufacturer Morita, and the Veraviewepocs 3D R100 model we use has 90% less radiation compared to classic X-rays.

  Exposure to radiation is very short (for an orthopan just 7.4 seconds, for 3D CBCT just 9.4 seconds) so that the patient is only minimally exposed to the radiation absorption dose. The orthopan and 3D CBCT devices are regularly maintained and have valid licenses from the State Institute for Radiological and Nuclear Safety. The recording area is reviewed and approved by the Ruđer Bošković Institute.

• How can I prepare for imaging?

  Before taking the image, we will ask you to remove all jewellery and other objects from your head and neck that may interfere with imaging (earrings, necklace, glasses...). Also, if you have mobile replacements in your mouth, we will ask you to remove them during recording.

• Is it possible to do an orthopan during pregnancy?

  It is recommended that pregnant women avoid any X-rays, especially in the first trimester, and that they point this out when scheduling an appointment. If imaging is necessary, it is safest to do it in the second trimester, but everything is done in agreement with your gynaecologist.

• Are children allowed to undergo an orthopan?

  Due to the very low dose of radiation, children can also undergo a panoramic image in order to control the eruption of teeth and/or carious changes in the teeth. Before each recording, we adjust the device to work with children so as to minimise radiation.

• Can I get the orthopan or CBCT image on CD?

  Of course, both the orthopan and 3D CBCT can be registered on CD.

  If you record an orthopan on a CD, the price is 220 kn (30,00 €), while the price for a 3D CBCT is 750 kn (100,00 €).