Dentist FAQs: your questions answered

We are open Monday to Friday, 11:00–19:00, and closed on Saturdays and Sundays. We see patients by appointment, so please phone before you come in. We close for annual leave, usually in the summer, and announce the dates on Facebook and Instagram. During that time, we refer patients in pain to the dentist who covers for us (our registered substitute).

The simplest way is to call +389 78 218 457 or +389 77 851 086 during opening hours. You can also send a request through our Book an appointment page. A request is not yet a confirmed appointment: we will contact you to agree a day and time. Please leave health details out of the form; we will talk about them at the practice.

If you have toothache, have broken a tooth or have lost a filling, it is better to phone than to send a message. During opening hours we try to see you the same day, if a slot is available. Until then, a painkiller that you can normally take may help; follow the instructions on the pack. Do not take antibiotics unless a doctor or dentist has prescribed them. Read more on our Toothache or broken tooth page.

In the evenings and at weekends, contact the public out-of-hours dental service. If swelling spreads towards your eye or neck, if you have swelling and a high temperature, or if you find it hard to breathe, speak or swallow, do not wait: call an ambulance on 194 or the European emergency number 112, or go straight to hospital. Do not drive yourself.

Please call us as early as you can. That way the slot can go to someone else, perhaps a patient in pain, and we can arrange a new time with you. If you are running late, please call as well, so we can see whether your examination can still be done in the time that is left.

The practice is at Bul. Jane Sandanski 96 in Skopje, in the Aerodrom district, near the Biser shopping centre and opposite the Mining Institute. According to our Google profile, the practice has wheelchair-accessible seating and a wheelchair-accessible toilet. If you use a wheelchair or need help getting around, please tell us when you book. Directions are on our Contact page.

The price depends on the condition of the tooth, how many teeth need treatment, the material and the number of visits. That is why you are given the exact price after an examination, in a written plan, before any treatment starts. In North Macedonia, private dental fees must not be lower than the minimum reference prices set by the Dental Chamber of Macedonia, and we keep to them. More on our Prices page.

Two problems that look alike may need very different treatment. An aching tooth can sometimes be fixed with a filling; sometimes it needs root canal treatment and a crown. Without an examination, and often an X-ray, any figure would be a guess. After the examination you get your options and the price of each one, so you can decide in your own time.

These are different treatments: a crown restores a damaged tooth, a bridge replaces missing teeth and braces straighten teeth. For a crown (sometimes called a cap) or a bridge, the price depends on the number of teeth, the material and any treatment needed first; you will know it after the examination. More: Dental crowns and bridges. If you are asking about braces, we may recommend orthodontic treatment after the examination and refer you to an orthodontist.

Please ask when you book or at your examination, before treatment starts: we will tell you which payment methods we accept and whether paying in instalments is possible. For more extensive treatment, also ask whether it can be split into stages, with a separate price for each stage. That way you know in advance how much you will pay, and when.

Yes. The practice has a contract with FZO for primary dental care, so if you are insured with the Fund, you can register with Dr Kiril Milanovski as your chosen dentist (izbran stomatolog). Before treatment, please ask us which services the Fund covers, which are paid for privately and whether you pay part of the cost yourself (a co-payment). The same goes if you want to know whether the Fund covers a crown, a bridge or a denture.

An implant is placed under local anaesthetic, so during the procedure you can expect a feeling of pressure rather than pain. Afterwards, mild swelling and tenderness are common and usually settle with over-the-counter painkillers. Most people feel back to normal within about a week. Whether an implant suits you, or a bridge or denture would be better, is decided after an examination and an X-ray. When you first get in touch, please ask whether implant treatment is possible at our practice, and how it would work.

It usually takes 3 to 9 months from placing the implant to fitting the final tooth, because the implant needs time to fuse with the bone. If the bone has to be built up first (a bone graft), it takes longer. In studies, around 93–96% of implants are still in place after 10 years, but not every implant will last that long. Inflammation around an implant (peri-implantitis) can lead to bone loss and even to losing the implant. Daily cleaning, regular check-ups and not smoking reduce the risk.

Root canal treatment is done under local anaesthetic, and most people say it feels much like having a filling. The pain itself usually comes from the inflamed nerve, and relieving it is the aim of the treatment. A badly inflamed tooth can be harder to numb: if you still feel pain, tell us, because more anaesthetic can be given. The tooth may be tender for a few days afterwards. More: Root canal treatment.

If a tooth can be repaired, it is usually better to keep it. This is also the practice’s motto: ‘Save the tooth’. After an extraction, the gap often needs filling with a bridge, an implant or a denture, which means more visits and more procedures. Some teeth cannot be saved, though, for example when the root is cracked or the tooth is too badly damaged. In that case, we talk openly with you about the extraction and what comes next. More: When root canal treatment is better than extraction.

Many white fillings last 10 years or more, but it depends on the size of the filling, whether it is on a front or back tooth, your bite and your risk of new decay. In studies, about one in five fillings in back teeth needs repairing or replacing within 10 years. For fillings we use 3M ESPE Filtek Z550, a nano-hybrid composite. More: White fillings and composite bonding.

Not always. A filling that is intact, seals well and causes no problems can usually stay. A filling is replaced when it is broken, worn or leaking, or when there is decay underneath, and sometimes a repair is enough. Every unnecessary replacement removes some healthy tooth structure. The same applies to old amalgam (silver) fillings: organisations such as the US FDA and the American Dental Association (ADA) do not recommend removing sound amalgam fillings unless you are allergic to them. More: Replacing old fillings.

It varies from person to person. Your dentist sets the interval at your check-up, depending on how quickly tartar builds up and how healthy your gums are. For adults, the interval between check-ups can range from 3 to 24 months. Smokers and people with diabetes or gum disease usually need to come more often. Brushing cannot remove tartar once it has formed, but brushing every day and cleaning between your teeth slow its build-up. More: Dental check-up and professional teeth cleaning.

When whitening follows a dental examination and is used as instructed, the most common side effects are temporary tooth sensitivity and gum irritation, which usually pass within a few days. Overuse, and products from beauty salons or bought online, can damage teeth and gums. Whitening does not change the colour of fillings, crowns or veneers. The result is not permanent: according to the NHS, it may last for around 3 years, and coffee, tea, red wine and smoking can shorten that. More: Teeth whitening.

Composite bonding adds tooth-coloured material to part of a tooth for small repairs, usually without drilling. A veneer is a thin layer of composite or porcelain bonded to the front of the tooth, and a little enamel often has to be removed first. A crown (or cap) covers the whole tooth and is used when a tooth is badly damaged. Tooth tissue that has been drilled away cannot grow back, so the options that keep more of your natural tooth are considered first. More: Veneers vs composite bonding vs crowns.

No, not if they cause no problems. Wisdom teeth that do not hurt or cause inflammation are usually just monitored at regular check-ups. Removal is recommended when they cause pain, repeated infections of the gum around them, decay, a cyst or damage to the neighbouring tooth. The decision is made after an examination and an X-ray, once we have looked at the options together. More: Tooth extraction and wisdom tooth removal.

Bleeding gums are most often an early sign of gum inflammation (gingivitis), caused by plaque building up around the teeth. Do not stop brushing those areas: brush gently but thoroughly, and clean between your teeth every day. For many people the bleeding settles within a few days. If it does not stop, book a check-up, because it can be a sign of periodontitis, an inflammation that also affects the bone around the teeth. More: Bleeding gums and gum disease.

Tell us when you book or at the start of your visit. We will explain each step before we take it, and we can agree a signal, such as raising your hand, for when you want us to stop. Your first visit can be just a conversation and an examination, and you decide about treatment once you have heard your options. To find out what to expect, see Your first visit.

Before any treatment that could hurt, we numb the tooth and the area around it with a local anaesthetic. You may briefly feel the injection; after that, you usually feel only pressure and vibration. If you feel pain during treatment, tell us: more anaesthetic can be given. After some treatments, the tooth or gum may be tender for a few days.

Treatment at the practice is carried out under standard local anaesthesia. If you feel you could not cope with treatment without sedation, please tell us when you book, so that we can talk about the options for your situation. General anaesthesia for dental procedures is usually given in hospital.

Numbness from a local anaesthetic usually lasts about 2 to 4 hours. Do not eat until it has worn off, so that you do not bite your cheek, lip or tongue. After a white filling you can eat as soon as the numbness has gone, because the composite is hardened at the practice with a special light. After an extraction, different instructions apply; we will give you these before you leave.

If it is needed, yes. The American Dental Association (ADA) states that extractions, root canal treatment and fillings can be carried out safely during pregnancy, with local anaesthetic. Putting off necessary treatment can lead to a bigger problem. Tell us that you are pregnant and how far along you are, and check any painkiller with your doctor or midwife as well. In a high-risk pregnancy, some procedures may be postponed on your doctor’s advice. Treatment that is not essential can be planned for after the birth.

Hormonal changes in pregnancy can make gum inflammation worse, so the gums swell and bleed more easily. If your gums bleed while you are pregnant, keep brushing: brush gently twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and clean between your teeth. The European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) recommends a dental check-up early in pregnancy. More: Dental care in pregnancy.

Yes. According to the ADA, dental X-rays and local anaesthetics, including those containing adrenaline, are considered safe at any stage of pregnancy. An X-ray is taken only when it is needed for a diagnosis. Tell us that you are pregnant, so that we can plan your treatment and visits. Teeth whitening, on the other hand, is not recommended while you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Do not stop or change your medicines yourself unless your doctor or dentist tells you to. Tell us exactly which medicine you take, and if you take warfarin, bring your latest INR result. Extractions and other procedures can often be done without stopping your medication, with extra measures to control bleeding. For pain afterwards, paracetamol is usually advised. Avoid ibuprofen, diclofenac and aspirin as painkillers unless your dentist or doctor says otherwise.

Tell us about all your health conditions and medicines, including tablets or injections for your bones, and whether you have had radiotherapy to the head or neck. Diabetes and gum disease are linked, and each can make the other worse, so regular check-ups are especially important. If you have an artificial heart valve or have had endocarditis, the dentist will decide with you whether extra precautions are needed. Do not stop osteoporosis medicines on your own: the risk of a rare jaw complication is assessed for each patient individually.

Under North Macedonia’s Law on Health Protection, dental care for children under 14 is provided within the network of health institutions. So for a child under 14, please do not send a request through the website; call us instead, and we will tell you whether and when we can see your child. General advice for parents is in our article Your child’s first dental visit.

The NHS, the UK’s National Health Service, advises taking your child to the dentist when their first baby teeth appear, and no later than their first birthday. Start brushing as soon as the first tooth comes through: under the age of 3, use just a smear of toothpaste containing at least 1,000 ppm fluoride; from 3 to 6, use a pea-sized amount with 1,350–1,500 ppm. Children without tooth decay may use a lower-strength children’s toothpaste with at least 1,000 ppm. Parents should brush a young child’s teeth for them.

Children have 20 baby teeth. They start to come through at around 6 months and gradually fall out, roughly between the ages of 6 and 12. Adults have up to 32 permanent teeth, including the four wisdom teeth. Wisdom teeth usually come through between the ages of 17 and 25, and some people never develop them at all. That is why many adults have between 28 and 32 teeth, which is completely normal.

Do not put a baby tooth back (it can damage the adult tooth underneath), but see a dentist. Hold an adult tooth by the crown (the white part), not the root. If it is dirty, rinse it briefly in milk or saline and try to put it back in place. Otherwise, keep it in milk and see a dentist immediately, ideally within an hour. Keep any broken piece in milk too. If your child has lost consciousness, is being sick or has double vision, go to hospital at once.

Not with professional whitening gels. Under European Union rules, products containing more than 0.1% hydrogen peroxide must not be used on anyone under 18, and the NHS does not whiten the teeth of anyone aged 17 or younger. Whitening products from beauty salons and online can damage teeth and gums. If your teenager is unhappy with the colour of their teeth, a check-up can show whether the problem is staining that a professional clean can remove.

General infection-control standards, such as those of the ADA and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), require several basic steps. Under these standards, reusable instruments are cleaned and heat-sterilised after every patient, and sterilisers are checked regularly with biological tests. Surfaces are cleaned and disinfected, and staff wear gloves and other protective equipment. You are welcome to ask us how we prepare our instruments.

The radiation dose is very small. According to the ADA, a set of several small X-rays of the back teeth gives about 5 microsieverts in total, and a panoramic X-ray of the whole mouth about 20 microsieverts. X-rays are taken only when they will help with a diagnosis, not routinely at every visit. If you are pregnant, tell us: X-rays that are needed are considered safe during pregnancy too.

Based on current evidence, yes. Composite has been used for many years on both front and back teeth. The American Dental Association (ADA) states that bisphenol A (BPA) is not an ingredient of dental materials and that exposure from fillings and fissure sealants is extremely low, lower than from breathing the air or handling a till receipt. If you have a known allergy to any material, tell us before treatment.

It depends on the treatment. A check-up, a scale and polish (teeth cleaning), fillings and whitening can usually be completed during one short stay. Root canal treatment usually needs one or two visits, and a crown two, with a dental laboratory making the crown in between; this often takes two to three weeks. An implant usually needs two trips a few months apart. More: International patients.

This website is available in Macedonian, English, Albanian and Turkish. When you first contact us by phone or email, please ask which languages the dentist and the team speak. If you are not sure we will understand each other, you are welcome to bring a family member or friend to the examination to help you.

Many treatments can, if they are planned in advance. Call us or email dr.milanovski@gmail.com a few weeks before you arrive, and book your examination at the start of your stay, so that there is time for any further visits. Please bear in mind that the practice also closes for annual leave in the summer. We post the dates on Facebook and Instagram, so check them before you book your trip.

You receive your final treatment plan and price only after the examination at the practice, because an X-ray does not show the whole picture. Please bring X-rays and reports from your own dentist to that examination. If you would like to send them beforehand, call us first so that we can agree whether that is possible and how. Do not send health details or photos of your teeth through the website form.

Ask for copies of your X-rays and a short written summary of what was done and which materials were used, so that you can show them to your dentist at home. You can then keep up your regular check-ups with your dentist there. Some problems only appear weeks or months later, so before you leave, agree with us how you will get in touch if something is bothering you. After any surgical procedure, the dentist should confirm that you are fit to fly.