THE DENTISTS. Interview with Anders Friman
How did you start out in dentistry?
I did work experience at the dental practice where my mother used to go and I found it really interesting so I studied it at university. I graduated as a dentist in 1991 in Sweden. I worked in Stockholm for a few years and then I was head-hunted by a dentist in Germany, where I worked for three years and learned a great deal about cosmetic and functional dentistry. I then was head-hunted again by an American dentist who had a clinic in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, where I worked for five years and learned even more about cosmetic dentistry. Whilst working for this American dentist I was given the opportunity to go on many courses at the University of New Orleans in America to learn about the latest techniques in this field. Then in 2005 I decided to open my own clinic here in Sotogrande with my university friend Lotta, who was already living here.
How is your team made up?
I have an inter-disciplinary team of specialists. I am a cosmetic and emergency dentist but I also have an orthodontist, an oral surgeon, an implantologist and a medical doctor specialising in cosmetic surgery such as Botox and fillers. You might find it surprising that we do some cosmetic surgery but we look after all aspects of the face. Also, if people grind their teeth at night, we can offer Botox in the jaw muscles to relax the jaw. We are a very knowledgeable team and have a non-aggressive approach to dental care, meaning that we are less invasive. We try to remove as little as possible from the natural tooth and instead just take away what is bad and build the tooth back up.
Why should people regularly go to the dentist?
Everyone should regularly visit a dentist to keep on top of any decay. Decay is a type of bacteria that makes acid from sugary foods which attacks the enamel in your teeth. We can take X-rays to check for decay when it is just starting. If you get pain from your teeth, this means you have probably left it too late and the bacteria has entered into the tooth and started to attack the nerve, killing the blood vessels and veins in the tooth. The key is to catch things early so that you don’t have to do a big job later on down the line – and to avoid toothache.
It is also very important to check the gums. Many people are not aware of periodontitis, which is an inflammation and infection of the ligaments and bones that support the teeth. The tooth is supported and surrounded by very small fibres called the periodontium, which attaches the root of the tooth to the bone. When there is tartar build-up this can attack the periodontium, which will – in drastic cases – lead to the tooth falling out. Having regular cleaning at the dentist reduces tartar and plaque, helping to prevent periodontitis.
Is there a connection between cosmetic dental surgery and general dentistry?
Yes, there is a very strong connection. If someone has crooked teeth it is likely they could get pain and do not bite correctly. The functionality and aesthetic look of your teeth go hand-in-hand. If the teeth look nice and straight, they will be functional. In cosmetic surgery we check for 67 different factors, from the angle and spacing between the teeth to how the teeth harmonise with the rest of your face.
What aspects of your job do you enjoy?
Taking away someone’s pain is very rewarding, which is what we do daily. As much as I enjoy cosmetic surgery, emergency surgery where I can free someone from pain is very gratifying. I also like being able to help someone smile confidently again after perhaps many years of not being able to as they are too embarrassed about their teeth. I love to go on courses as much as possible to learn about the latest developments in cosmetic surgery as this side of dentistry is constantly evolving, which makes my job so interesting. In the autumn I would like to go to Brazil to learn from a pioneering American dentist, Newton Fahl, about new techniques in making ceramic veneers which do not require any grinding down of the natural tooth.
Do you ever use silver fillings?
We never use silver fillings as they can break the tooth. Often we have people come into our surgery saying they have pain every time they bite into something. Invariably this is cracked tooth syndrome, which is where a silver filling has caused cracks in the tooth due to the filling expanding within the tooth. We see broken teeth nearly every day as a result of silver fillings.
The Dentists
Galerias Paniagua, Sotogrande
Tel. (+34) 956 795 273
