Basic dental care
Dental checkup
Regular dental checkups and proper oral hygiene at home are the foundation of good oral health. We ensure the health of your mouth and teeth and detect cavities, infections, and other issues requiring treatment early on. We recommend checkups at intervals determined by your dentist, which is usually every 1–2 years, as well as before any major procedures, such as the start of orthodontic treatment.
Please note that Kela reimbursement for a dental checkup is available only once every two years.
From May 2025, a referral from a dentist will no longer be a prerequisite for receiving Kela reimbursement for services provided by an oral hygienist (such as dental stone removal). However, a dental check-up will tell you how often you should have your tartar removed, and any other follow-up treatment you need.
For example, root infections, even when asymptomatic, can pose a risk to general health. They can often only be detected by X-rays, so it is advisable to take X-rays at regular intervals. We have the latest imaging technology, such as OPTG and 3D X-ray machines, which allow accurate diagnoses.
X-rays are not included in the price of a dental checkup. The prices for imaging services can be found in the price list, and the dentist will inform the patient of the cost of the recommended X-rays before the patient decides whether to have them taken.
The Kela reimbursement for dental checkups has increased as of the beginning of 2024 30 €! So the deductible is only 49 € + Hospital and outpatient clinic fees.
You can book an inspection appointment directly in our booking calendar or by phone during opening hours.
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Experiences with dental check-ups
Dental check-ups – frequently asked questions
Yes. Bite analysis is an essential part of a dental examination. An uneven bite can lead to tooth wear, jaw pain, or muscle tension. If necessary, your dentist may recommend further examination or treatment, such as orthodontic treatment or bite splint therapy.
Yes. During a dental examination, signs of tooth wear, chips, or other changes can be detected that may indicate excessive bite force or unconscious teeth grinding. Many patients do not notice these changes themselves before the checkup. Tooth wear can be caused by grinding, diet, or illness. It is a good idea to determine the cause of the tooth wear.
The dentist will calmly review the findings and draft a treatment plan. Treatments are always planned together with the patient, and nothing is done without the patient's consent. The urgency of treatment is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Treatments can also be divided into different treatment periods. The dentist often treats tooth fractures, root canal treatments, and fillings, while the dental hygienist takes care of gum health by removing tartar and reviewing personal care habits together with the patient.
Yes. A dental check-up is a good time to discuss, for example, the color of your teeth, wear of dental surfaces, or aesthetic treatment options for the facial area. Your dentist can assess which solutions are sensible from a health and functional perspective or, if necessary, refer you to a specialist who can best meet your needs.
A dental examination is a comprehensive examination in which the dentist assesses the condition of the teeth, gums, bite, and oral mucosa. The examination looks for things such as cavities (caries), gum inflammation, deepened gum pockets, and functional problems with the bite. The dentist also assesses the function of the jaw joints, the tension of the masticatory muscles, and tooth wear, for example due to bruxism, or teeth grinding.
During the examination, bitewing X-rays are often taken to provide a clear view of the spaces between the teeth and under larger fillings. The need for X-rays is determined on an individual basis.
No special preparation is needed. Just brush your teeth like you normally do before your appointment. But it's a good idea to tell your dentist about any symptoms or issues you've had during previous visits, like jaw fatigue, or past treatments. Your medical history will also be checked before the dental examination, so it is a good idea to tell your dentist about any illnesses, medications you are taking, and any upcoming surgeries. You will also be asked to fill out a preliminary information form online in advance if you are visiting Ebeling Hammaslääkärit for the first time or if your information may be outdated.
For most adults, the appropriate check-up interval is 1–2 years. The check-up interval is determined individually based on the state of oral health and whether there have been any findings requiring treatment in the past. The dentist will give their recommendation for the date of the next visit at each check-up.
All of our dentists in Helsinki and Vantaa are professional and service-minded. They examine your mouth carefully and explain their findings in an understandable way. Each treatment relationship is unique, and it is especially important for those who are nervous about treatment to find a dental professional with whom they have good communication and chemistry. Some customers appreciate directness and a focus on the matter at hand, while others may find that a lighter and more humorous conversation style brings the needed relaxedness to the treatment situation. It is a good idea to give feedback to the dentist during the appointment and e.g. to tell them directly what kind of communication you would like during the treatment.
However, the choice may not always be right the first time around, in which case it is perfectly OK to book a dental check-up with another dentist next time. Once you have found your own dentist, it is a good idea to stick with them. Our dentists consult and refer patients to specialists in each field when a procedure so warrants.
A dental check-up typically takes 30 minutes. Some dentists prefer to conduct dental check-ups at a more leisurely pace, with a 45-minute appointment slot. This is typical, for example, of dentists who are at the beginning of their careers.
Regular dental check-ups help detect oral problems at an early stage when treatments are often less invasive and the prognosis is better. Our experienced dentists in Helsinki and Vantaa monitor your overall oral health and help you maintain it in the long term.
Regular dental checkups can be compared to annual car maintenance: problems are detected early and major repairs can be avoided. It is important to remember that small cavities are easier to fill than large ones. Many procedures also require a healthy mouth, and often before major surgery, the mouth must be free of infection.
The Kela reimbursement for a dental checkup at a private dentist is 30 €, regardless of where you live. As a general rule, you are eligible for reimbursement every other calendar year. You may also be eligible for reimbursement more frequently if your dentist has prescribed shorter intervals between checkups for health reasons.
A dental examination is usually painless. The dentist proceeds calmly and pays attention to the patient's sensations throughout the visit. If there is inflammation or sensitivity in the mouth, the examination is carried out with particular care. Air is blown onto the teeth and they are examined with a fiber optic light. The condition of the gums is checked with a round-tipped, blunt instrument called a gingival probe. If there is a lot of gum inflammation in the mouth, this may feel slightly uncomfortable.
X-rays are taken when necessary, for example to assess hidden cavities, inflammation, or bone loss. X-rays are always taken based on individual needs and are safe with modern equipment. X-rays are taken, for example, of the side area, and the entire mouth and tooth roots are visible in a panoramic image. For example, extensive fillings, unerupted teeth, root canal treatments, or multiple incipient caries may be reasons for taking an X-ray.