dr. med. dent. Benatti Gianfranco

gianfrancobenatti@hotmail.it

Dr. Gianfranco Benatti:

Doctor of Dentistry and Dental Prosthetics, he graduated from the University of Milan in 2001 and is a member of the Order of Dentists of the Canton of Ticino, the Swiss Society of Odontostomatology (SSO), and the Ticino Society of Odontostomatology.

Dr. Benatti works with a dental hygienist, a prophylaxis assistant, and two dental assistants.

OUR PRACTICE

Our facility implements the highest standards of disinfection and sterilization. This allows us to have completely sterile instruments and environments that are free from biochemical and physical contamination.

We have the latest generation of electro-medical equipment, both in the diagnostic and operational-therapeutic sections, which is always updated for each of the disciplines practiced.

We offer the possibility of operating in complete peace of mind thanks to conscious sedation.

Medical services

• CONSCIOUS SEDATION WITH NITROUS OXIDE - THE REBIRTH OF A METHOD
• DIAGNOSIS AND RADIOLOGY
• PREVENTION AND ORAL HYGIENE
• ENDODONTICS AND CONSERVATIVE DENTISTRY
• PERIODONTAL SURGERY
• IMPLANT SURGERY AND PROSTHETICS
• COSMETIC DENTISTRY
• PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

CONSCIOUS SEDATION WITH NITROUS OXIDE

The analgesic and sedative effect of the gas (chemically N2O, nitrous oxide) was discovered in the 19th century. Since then, it has been used as a narcotic gas millions of times. Its anxiolytic and sedative properties make it an excellent means of treating anxious patients.

HOW DOES CONSCIOUS SEDATION WORK?

A mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide is administered through a small nasal mask.

After just a few breaths, you will feel a sense of lightness and relaxation, while remaining conscious and in control of your senses.

Along with fear, the perception of pain is also reduced; this method also helps to reduce the gag reflex and swallowing reflexes.

The dentist can choose the intensity of the sedative effect by varying the ratio of the "oxygen-nitrous oxide" mixture individually for each patient.

At the end of the session, the patient will be able to immediately resume normal mental and physical conditions as the gas mixture is not metabolized by the body.

ALSO IDEAL FOR CHILDREN

Reluctant children are always a big problem for parents and dentists, so nitrous oxide is an ideal aid for treating fearful children.

Thanks to the strong relaxing and anxiolytic action of the gas, about 80% of children who refuse dental treatment can be treated.

The reduction in swallowing and gag reflexes and the lowering of tension levels allow for the correct performance of reconstructions (e.g., fillings) that hostile children often do not allow.

In many cases, conscious sedation means that treatment under general anesthesia can be avoided.

RISKS AND SIDE EFFECTS

Conscious inhalation sedation is an extremely safe method: in millions of documented cases in the US, where it is used by about 50% of dentists.

The method is not recommended for patients with difficult nasal breathing or for people who cannot breathe voluntarily through their nose.

As a side effect, nausea and vomiting may occur in rare cases.

In our practice, sedation is administered under pulse oximetry monitoring: a sensor placed on the finger constantly monitors the patient's heart rate and blood oxygen saturation (pulse oximetry), thus providing constant control.

DIAGNOSIS AND RADIOLOGY

Modern technologies enable doctors to make complete and accurate diagnoses. Radiological examinations play a key role in every discipline of dentistry.

X-rays make it possible to accurately identify the anatomy of the bones and teeth and the possible presence of pathologies for early diagnosis and better treatment planning.

The importance of the diagnostic value of X-rays requires that they be performed using the most appropriate and advanced techniques. Digital radiology allows for excellent quality and diagnostic value examinations to be performed with a very low dose of X-rays.

Thanks to the radiological equipment available in each facility, patients can undergo the entire treatment cycle, from diagnosis to final treatment.

 

PREVENTION AND ORAL HYGIENE

Hygiene consists of the removal of plaque and tartar. In particular, professional oral hygiene includes:

tartar removal: removal of supragingival tartar

root planing: removal of subgingival tartar

polishing: polishing of tooth surfaces using prophylaxis paste and prophy jet (treatment with pressurized bicarbonate jet).

The "golden rules" of proper prevention to keep teeth and mouth healthy are:

 

• ·         Visit a specialist and follow the recommended hygiene protocol
• ·         Brush your teeth according to the hygienist's instructions
• ·         Use dental floss
• ·         Do not smoke
• ·         Eat a healthy diet
•           Consulting your doctor is useful for:
• ·         Preventing the onset and worsening of tooth decay and periodontitis
• ·         Enabling early detection of oral mucosal diseases
• ·         Improving oral health and hygiene

 

ENDODONTICS AND CONSERVATIVE DENTISTRY

Endodontics deals with diseases of the dental pulp and nerve tissue inside the tooth. Endodontic treatment consists of removing the nerve tissue, both at the crown and root levels, and replacing the removed tissue with a permanent reconstruction in gutta-percha and root canal cement, after adequate shaping of the root canals.

Conservative dentistry is the branch of dentistry that deals with the restoration of teeth that, as a result of caries or trauma, have enamel lesions and varying degrees of destruction of the dental crown. In the case of small or medium lesions, the direct method is applied, which consists of preparing the tooth cavity and subsequent reconstruction. In the case of more serious lesions, the indirect technique is used, which consists of applying a prosthesis in the oral cavity.

Consult your doctor in the event of

• ·         Tooth sensitivity to hot and cold
• ·         Abscess – Acute tooth pain
• ·         Swelling – Fistula
• ·         Pain when chewing
• · Broken tooth

 

PERIODONTAL SURGERY

Periodontal surgery consists of the prevention and diagnosis of periodontal tissue diseases. Periodontal disease, once known as "pyorrhea," involves the tissues (soft and hard) that support the teeth and is caused by the presence of bacterial plaque and tartar in the mouth.

The disease mainly manifests itself through:

• ·         Redness and bleeding of the gums
• · Bone resorption
• ·         Tooth mobility

 

After the doctor's examination, the hygienist intervenes to reduce the bacterial load caused by plaque or tartar using scaling or root planing techniques.

When the disease is in an advanced stage, surgical techniques (e.g., regenerative therapies) may be used.

Consult your doctor in the event of

• ·         Gum pain, bleeding, and pus discharge
• ·         Periodontal pockets
• · Gum recession (retracted gums and "longer teeth")
• ·         Tooth mobility and migration
• ·         Bad breath

 

IMPLANT SURGERY AND PROSTHETICS

Implantology is a branch of dental surgery that aims to replace lost tooth roots using titanium screws that are inserted into the mandibular or maxillary bone.

The surgical techniques used have made the procedure painless and allow for full restoration of function and aesthetics.

The insertion of an implant preserves the bone from the process of atrophy that it would undergo if not stimulated by chewing. The dental implant consists of three parts:

A small titanium screw that is inserted into the jawbone.

A ceramic or titanium abutment that ensures a secure connection between the implant and the crown.

The crown, which is applied over the abutment to complete the work.

There is no real risk of "rejection" in implant therapy, as titanium is a metal defined as "biocompatible" and does not cause an immune reaction.

However, there is a risk of "incomplete osseointegration": instead of bone tissue, fibrous tissue forms around the implant, which is not suitable for supporting loads. Incomplete osseointegration can occur due to inadequate movement of the screw or infection of the implanted area.

A dental prosthesis is an artificial replacement for natural teeth.

It is used in cases of partial or total edentulism, to correct aesthetic defects in the shape, position, and color of the teeth, or, in some cases, to rehabilitate an occlusion that presents dysfunctions or pathologies.

Prostheses can be:

 

Fixed

Multi-unit bridges or single crowns that are cemented to the teeth and cannot be removed by the patient. They can be made of metal-ceramic or metal-free ceramic. Both types of fixed prostheses can be applied to natural teeth or implants.

A dental implant can replace a single tooth, multiple teeth, or the entire arch.

The comfort and functionality of the implant will be the same as that of natural teeth.

Dental implants eliminate the discomfort and insecurity of removable prostheses (e.g., shifting).

Dental implants often eliminate the need to modify healthy teeth.

Chewing is comparable to that of natural teeth.

Removable

Prostheses that the patient can, and must, remove from the mouth for cleaning and can be partial resin, total resin, or skeletal.

Combined

Composed partly of fixed prostheses and partly of removable prostheses, closely connected to each other with precision attachment systems.

Consult your doctor in the event of

Loss of one or more teeth (cosmetic, chewing, and digestive problems)

Discomfort in the daily management of total removable dentures (dentures)

 

DENTAL AESTHETICS

Dental aesthetics, in addition to meeting functional requirements, focuses in particular on the appearance of the mouth, treating all unsightly dental imperfections.

The aesthetics of the smile are improved using different techniques, depending on the needs, with minimal invasiveness and maximum results.

Aesthetic inlays (restorations cemented onto the chewing surface of a premolar or molar tooth).

Professional whitening (using whitening agents that penetrate the enamel and dentin).

Consult your doctor in the following cases

You don't like your smile

Your teeth are not white enough

 

PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

Pediatric dentistry is the branch of general dentistry responsible for the care of children's teeth and oral cavity.

It is particularly aimed at preventing the onset of carious lesions in milk teeth and intercepting any malocclusions in time. Pediatric orthodontics, which is the branch of orthodontics that deals with anomalies in the position of teeth in children, falls within the scope of pediatric dentistry.

Oral hygiene education for children includes regular visits to the dentist, the first of which is generally recommended between the ages of 4 and 6, to check that everything is okay, but above all to familiarize the child with dental care.

Brush teeth at least twice a day (always in the morning and evening before bedtime).

Choose a toothbrush with a small head and soft bristles

Apply a small amount of fluoride toothpaste to the toothbrush

Clean the inside, outside, and chewing surfaces of the teeth

Always brush in the same order, using light pressure and circular movements.

Position the bristles along the teeth and gum line at a 45° angle.

Sealants are applied to permanent molars that erupt at the age of 6 to effectively protect them from decay.

In a simple and completely painless procedure, the sealant, a fluid light-curing resin, is applied to the grooves of the molars and prevents bacterial plaque from penetrating them.

This type of protection can last for several years and can also be used on permanent teeth (molars and premolars) that will erupt later.