LIFE Group: One third of Romanians have cavities, risking tooth loss; untreated, costs skyrocket

All patients who cross the threshold of the LIFE Dental Spa or VIVO Dental clinics, part of the LIFE Group, present cavities in various stages of severity, and statistically, on average, between 8 and 10 teeth are affected by this problem, in addition to other, which may be associated.

A fully grown person has 32 teeth in the mouth, but LIFE Group data shows that about a third of them are affected by cavities in various stages of development, which need to be treated quickly to avoid creating much bigger problems. Even the smallest punctiform cavities need to be treated minimally invasively, as they can progress to nerve damage, pain, infection and even tooth loss.

Old beliefs that small cavities are “marbling” and do not need to be intervened on are no longer valid, because practice has proven that they are still early-stage cavities that can advance and cause problems.

“We utilize an effective protocol with equipment that can thoroughly identify the severity of cavities or other problems that may be associated and treat them painlessly with a dental laser in a much shorter time and without discomfort. Since the introduction of the equipment in our clinics, we have seen a steady increase in the number of patients who have switched from the , drill-based way of treating cavities to a state-of-the-art, highly effective technology that is successfully used in Western Europe and the USA“, Cristina Obreja MD, CEO and co-founder of LIFE Dental Spa stated.

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The laser treatment of a cavity costs between RON 300 and 600. Not resolving the problem can lead to more than 10 times the cost

Laser treatment of a cavity can cost between 300 and 600 RON depending on the clinic, the area where it is located or the promotional packages available. During this period, for example, VIVO Dental clinics benefit from a promotional package for the treatment of cavities where two interventions are paid and the third one is free of charge, in this way the price for one intervention would amount to about 300 RON.

“In all our clinics we use lasers to treat dental problems, and the results are immediately visible, patients come back with pleasure whenever needed, the medical staff is very well trained and we have specialists to treat any dental problems, from pedodontists – doctors specialized in the supervision and treatment of children’s teeth, to orthodontists or surgeons. If you look at the statistics, the reality is that very few people go to the dentist for prevention, most of them cross the threshold of the clinics when the pain is already there or the intervention becomes more complex and expensive. A cavity, for example, which has not been treated in time, can cost more than 10 times as much as a simple preventive treatment. We are talking about root canal surgery, dental crowns or, in the worst-case scenario, dental implants“, Cristina Obreja M.D. added.

Dental treatment, when it becomes too late to improve the problem, can cost the patient up to 5,000 RON for a single tooth.

Romanians spend, on average, around 1,000 lei a year to treat dental problems

Romanians allocate, on average, about 1,000 lei to treat dental problems each year, and the main reasons for which they cross the threshold of dental clinics are both for the treatment of gingivitis, dental cavities, implantology, but also for esthetics or oral hygiene, according to LIFE Group data.

However, the amount is 20% lower than in recent years, and this is mainly due to inflation, higher bank interest rates and a less favorable general economic climate.

Moreover, eight out of ten Romanians suffer from some form of gum disease, gingivitis or periodontitis, which often go unnoticed, undiagnosed and untreated in time, which can lead to tooth loss.

Poor oral hygiene is the main cause of periodontitis, with plaque and tartar directly responsible for periodontal disease.