Frequently asked questions

We are open Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 18:00 and on Sunday from 08:00 to 14:00. The clinic is closed on Saturday. Appointments outside these hours are by prior arrangement only and remain the exception. The address is 28 Dr Lyuben Popov Street, Briz district, 9010 Varna, Bulgaria. To book, call +359 896 121 314 or write to smile@dental-club.bg.

The clinic is closed on Saturday. On Sunday we see patients between 08:00 and 14:00, and Monday to Friday between 09:00 and 18:00. Sunday appointments are arranged in advance through the booking page or by telephone. Outside working hours the clinic does not accept emergencies. If the problem is life-threatening, call 112 or seek urgent medical help.

Call +359 896 121 314, write to smile@dental-club.bg, or use the form on the booking page. The patient coordinator replies within one working day and offers a time. An appointment is confirmed only once the coordinator has replied — a submitted request on its own is not a reserved slot.

The clinical examination costs €25 and includes a conversation about the concern, the options and the next step. Remotely, we offer an online case review from a CBCT or X-ray with a €50 deposit, deducted from your treatment.

A cone-beam CT scan can be taken on site when it is needed. A diagnosis and a plan follow an examination, never a description.

Bring photo identification, a current list of the medicines you take, details of allergies and long-term conditions, and any previous radiographs, panoramic images or treatment plans you already have. If you are insured in the Bulgarian system and expect work under NHIF cover, bring your insurance details. If you are accompanying a child, bring the child health record too.

The clinic is at 28 Dr Lyuben Popov Street in the Briz district of Varna, postcode 9010. Briz is residential, parking is on-street and availability varies through the day. If you are driving, mention it when you book and the coordinator will confirm the current access and parking situation for the day of your visit. Directions are on the contact page.

Tell us in advance if you or the patient you accompany has difficulty walking, uses a wheelchair or needs help entering the building. The coordinator will confirm the access arrangements and offer an appointment with more time and a quieter part of the day. Please raise this when booking rather than on the day, so the visit can be prepared properly.

The dentists themselves see patients in Bulgarian, English, Ukrainian, French and Russian. Written treatment plans and quotes are provided in a language you understand.

The clinical examination costs €25. The online case review from CBCT or X-ray takes a €50 deposit, deducted from treatment. Treatment is charged according to the published list on the prices page. All amounts are in euro. Before treatment begins you receive a written estimate setting out the stages and stating what is and is not included.

Prices are published in euro and only in euro. Examples from the current list: examination €25, filling €70 to €80 depending on the number of surfaces, scaling €70, root canal treatment €110 to €260 depending on the number of canals, extraction €70, wisdom tooth extraction €125, whitening €180, metal-ceramic or zirconia crown €250, e.max crown €325. The full list is on the prices page.

The quote sets out the stages of treatment, the procedures involved, the materials and laboratory work, and what is excluded. For bone augmentation and sinus lift, for example, the procedure fee does not include the bone substitute materials. Items that are fixed are marked separately from items that remain estimates because they depend on findings confirmed during treatment.

It can, and the quote says which parts are fixed and which are estimates. A price stated before an examination is an orientation figure only. After the examination, and a cone-beam CT scan where one is needed, you receive a written plan with itemised costs. If a finding during treatment changes what is required, the change is discussed and priced before it is carried out, not afterwards.

No. The clinic does not offer instalments, financing or a credit scheme, and does not work with an external lender. Treatment is paid for at the clinic. Where a plan runs in stages, each stage is paid as it is carried out, which spreads the cost over time, but that is not credit and not a payment plan. All published prices are in euro.

Yes, the clinic holds a contract with the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). NHIF cover applies to people insured in the Bulgarian system and extends to a defined range of activities. Most prosthetic, implant and aesthetic treatment falls outside that cover. What can be covered in your case is confirmed by the coordinator before treatment starts. Visiting patients from abroad are treated privately.

Veneers, composite bonding, clear aligners, bridges, fissure sealants, night guards and aesthetic-medicine treatments are quoted in writing after an examination. The cost depends on the number of teeth, their condition, the material chosen and the laboratory work involved, so a single headline figure would mislead. Everything else has a published price in euro on the prices page.

Payment is made at the clinic for the treatment carried out, in euro. You receive documentation of what was paid and what was done, which is what most insurers and reimbursement schemes ask for. If your insurer needs a specific form, itemisation or wording, tell the coordinator before treatment begins so the paperwork can be prepared correctly rather than reconstructed later.

We use two systems only: Straumann and Neodent. No other brand is placed. A Neodent implant costs €650 and a Straumann implant €950. The choice between them is made on the bone, the position of the tooth, the planned loading and the restoration above it, not on price alone. The differences are set out on the implant systems page.

The cost builds up in stages. A Neodent implant is €650 and a Straumann implant €950. A zirconia crown on a Neodent implant is €390 and on a Straumann implant €450; a temporary crown on an implant is €150. If bone augmentation (€250 per site) or a sinus lift (€300 transcrestal, €1000 lateral) is needed, it is added separately and does not include the cost of the materials.

Pooled data from systematic reviews and meta-analyses of clinical studies show 94 to 96 per cent implant survival at 10 years; adjusted for patients lost to follow-up the figure is about 93 per cent, and about 91.5 per cent in patients aged 65 and over. For Straumann SLA implants, an independent university study of 511 implants in 303 orally healthy partially edentulous patients reported 98.8 per cent survival at ten years. These are group figures, not a prediction for one person.

When there is not enough bone height or volume to place an implant securely. A systematic review of 48 studies covering 12,020 implants placed after sinus floor elevation reported estimated 3-year implant survival of 90.1 per cent (95% CI 86.4 to 92.8) at implant level, rising to 98.3 per cent for rough-surface implants with membrane coverage of the lateral window. Prices are €300 transcrestal and €1000 lateral, materials not included.

The timescale is set by healing. A human histological study of 49 volunteers found new bone formation begins within the first week and reaches about 61 per cent bone-to-implant contact at 6 weeks. Under the ITI classification, loading is immediate within 1 week of placement, early from 1 week to 2 months, and conventional after more than 2 months. Which applies to you is decided at planning, after diagnostics.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 55 studies reported pooled implant survival of 98.14 per cent for All-on-4 and 97.50 per cent for All-on-6 at five years or more. In a series of 471 patients followed for 10 to 18 years, cumulative implant survival was 93 per cent and prosthesis survival 98.8 per cent, with mechanical complications in 36.7 per cent of cases. The provisional bridge is €750 for All-on-4 and €1000 for All-on-6.

Smoking is not an absolute barrier, but it raises the risk. A meta-analysis of 292 publications comparing 35,511 implants in smokers with 114,597 in non-smokers found failure at about 2.4 times the rate (OR 2.402, p<0.001), with a mean difference in marginal bone loss of 0.58 mm. The decision follows an examination, and cutting down before and after surgery is discussed individually.

Peri-implantitis is inflammation with bone loss around an implant. A meta-analysis reported a weighted mean prevalence of about 22 per cent at patient level (95% CI 14 to 30), with peri-implant mucositis at about 43 per cent. A later meta-analysis of 57 studies estimated 19.5 per cent at patient level. Reported prevalence ranges from 1 to 47 per cent because case definitions differ, and rises with time in function. Regular reviews and hygiene are the main protection.

Veneers have no published price. The cost is quoted in writing after an examination because it depends on the number of teeth, the condition of the enamel, any treatment needed first, and the ceramic and laboratory work chosen. What the planning involves is described on the veneers page. The clinical examination costs €25.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 29 clinical studies reported 96.8 per cent survival at a mean of 10.4 years for lithium disilicate veneers, 96.1 per cent for feldspathic and 93.7 per cent for leucite-reinforced, with no statistically significant difference between materials. In a retrospective study of 318 veneers followed for a mean of 118 months, survival was 94.4 per cent at 5 years, 93.5 per cent at 10 years and 82.9 per cent at 20 years, with failure risk 7.7 times higher in patients with bruxism.

Clear aligners have no published price. The cost depends on the complexity of the case and the number of stages, and is quoted in writing after an examination and digital planning. For that reason we do not advertise a starting price that later changes. The examination is €25, and retainers and review visits are itemised separately in the quote.

A systematic review of 22 clinical studies found clear aligners viable for mild to moderate malocclusion in non-growing patients who do not require extractions. They are predictable for levelling, tipping and derotation, except for canines and premolars, and have limited efficacy in bodily arch expansion, extraction space closure and larger antero-posterior or vertical discrepancies. Whether your case is suitable is assessed at an examination.

Retention is required and the result is not a fixed end state. A Cochrane review of 47 randomised trials with 4,377 participants found evidence of low to very low certainty and no firm conclusion that any retention approach is superior. In a long-term study of 31 four-premolar extraction cases, lower front crowding continued to increase between 10 and 20 years after retention, and only 10 per cent of cases had clinically acceptable lower alignment at 20 years.

Whitening costs €180. Peroxide-based whitening lightens tooth shade, and the most commonly reported adverse effects are tooth sensitivity and gingival irritation. These are usually transient, and their incidence rises with higher peroxide concentration and longer contact time. The result depends on the starting shade, and whitening does not change the colour of existing fillings or crowns. More on the whitening page.

Bonding is a direct composite restoration shaped in the mouth, usually in a single visit. It has no published price and is quoted in writing after an examination. A systematic review of 34 studies with at least 5 years of follow-up found 90 per cent of studies reporting annual failure rates of 1 to 3 per cent for Class I and Class II posterior composite restorations. More on the bonding page.

A systematic review of 34 studies with at least 5 years of follow-up found that 90 per cent of studies reported annual failure rates of 1 to 3 per cent for Class I and Class II posterior composite restorations, with secondary caries and fracture the main causes. Longevity depends on the size of the cavity, hygiene and clenching load. A filling costs €70 for one surface, €75 for two and €80 for three.

Root canal treatment costs €110 for a single-rooted tooth, €150 for a two-rooted tooth and €260 for a multi-rooted tooth. Treatment of a primary tooth is €35 and retreatment ranges from €100 to €260 depending on the case. Irrigation and dressing is €20. These prices cover the endodontic treatment itself and exclude the examination (€25), imaging, a core build-up or a crown afterwards.

A systematic review of 14 studies reported tooth survival of 86 per cent at 2 to 3 years, 93 per cent at 4 to 5 years and 87 per cent at 8 to 10 years. Survival was significantly better where a crown was placed afterwards, both proximal contacts were present, and the tooth was not a bridge or denture abutment. Where treatment fails, retreatment has a pooled success of 76.7 per cent (95% CI 73.6 to 89.6) judged by complete healing.

It depends on the tooth and the load. A systematic review of 67 studies covering 14,097 tooth-supported single crowns reported 5-year survival of 96.6 per cent for lithium disilicate (e.max) and 94.7 per cent for metal-ceramic. Tooth-supported zirconia crowns showed 5-year survival of 92.1 per cent with significantly more veneering-ceramic fractures. Prices are €325 for e.max and €250 each for metal-ceramic and zirconia crowns.

A systematic review of 19 cohort studies with mean follow-up of at least 5 years reported 10-year survival of 89.1 per cent (95% CI 81.0 to 93.8) for conventional end-abutment fixed bridges, with 10-year success free of any complication at 71.1 per cent. Cantilever bridges showed 10-year survival of 81.8 per cent and success of 63.0 per cent. Bridges have no published price and are quoted after an examination.

It depends on your gum condition. For adults without severe periodontitis who attend regularly, a Cochrane review of 2 trials with 1,711 participants found high-certainty evidence that routine scale and polish makes little or no difference to gingivitis, probing depths or oral health-related quality of life over 2 to 3 years. For patients who do have periodontitis, subgingival instrumentation is effective and is planned separately. Scaling costs €70.

The foundation is non-surgical therapy with subgingival instrumentation. A systematic review for the EFP S3-level guideline reported a weighted pocket depth reduction of 1.4 mm (95% CI 1.0 to 1.7) at 6 to 8 months, with an estimated 74 per cent of pockets closing, and no significant difference between hand and ultrasonic instruments. Severe periodontitis has a global age-standardised prevalence of 11.2 per cent. Planning follows a periodontal assessment.

A tooth extraction costs €70, a molar €80 to €100, a wisdom tooth €125 and a primary tooth €30. Surgical removal of an impacted wisdom tooth costs €200 to €250. These prices cover the procedure itself and exclude the examination (€25) and imaging. Which option applies is determined after an examination and, where needed, a cone-beam CT scan taken on site.

All surgical procedures and all implants are carried out by Dr Nevena Karadjova, a specialist in oral surgery (Medical University of Varna, 2019). She was an assistant in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at MU-Varna and has placed more than 2,000 implants. The restorative side is planned together with Dr Damyan Karadjov. More on the team page.

The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic, so what is usually felt during it is pressure rather than pain. We work with precise anaesthesia and a gentle touch, adapting to your individual comfort level. Once the anaesthetic wears off, discomfort, swelling and tenderness for a few days are normal and are managed with the aftercare instructions you are given. If pain increases rather than settles, contact the clinic during working hours.

No. The decision follows an examination and imaging, not a description of symptoms. What is assessed is the position of the tooth, the space available, the relationship to the nerve and the sinus, the condition of the neighbouring tooth and the history of infection. Some wisdom teeth are monitored and others removed. More on the wisdom tooth page.

Yes. Sedation is available and is discussed in advance, not on the day of the procedure. Your general health, medication and allergies are reviewed first, and instructions on eating and having someone accompany you are agreed beforehand. Not every procedure and not every patient is suitable for sedation. If you are very anxious, say so when booking so the visit can be given enough time.

You receive written instructions for the first days covering cold compresses, eating, hygiene and medication. Swelling and discomfort in the first 48 hours are expected. If you have difficulty breathing or swallowing, bleeding that will not stop, major facial swelling, significant facial trauma or loss of consciousness, seek urgent medical help or call 112 immediately and do not wait for a dental appointment. For milder concerns call +359 896 121 314 during working hours.

Yes, we treat children. The clinic does not have a holder of the paediatric dentistry specialty — children are examined and treated by the general dentists in the team. We state this openly so you can decide for yourself. Where a case needs a specialist approach, we will say so and refer. More on the children page.

The first visit should ideally be an introduction, before there is pain or an urgent problem, so the child does not associate the surgery with a bad experience. It is usually arranged once the first teeth have come through, and straight away if something visible is wrong. The examination is €25. Mention the age when booking so the visit can be timed sensibly.

A filling in a primary tooth costs €35, root canal treatment of a primary tooth €35 and extraction of a primary tooth €30. The examination is €25. If the child is insured in the Bulgarian system, some activities may fall within NHIF cover; what is covered is confirmed by the coordinator before treatment begins.

Yes, sealants are placed after an examination, and the cost is quoted in writing because it is not on the published list. The ADA and AAPD guideline reports a 76 per cent caries reduction at 2 to 3 years (OR 0.24, 95% CI 0.19 to 0.30, moderate quality evidence), 79 per cent at 4 to 7 years and 85 per cent beyond 7 years. A Cochrane review in children aged 5 to 10 with first permanent molars reported OR 0.12 at 2 years.

Tell us when you book. We plan a longer appointment in which the child first gets to know the room, the instruments and the team, without necessarily being treated the same day. We avoid promises such as saying nothing will be felt, because a broken promise damages trust for years. We explain what the child will feel, in words suited to their age.

Clinically, no. The dentists see patients in Bulgarian, English, Ukrainian, French and Russian. What differs is cover: NHIF cover applies to people insured in the Bulgarian system, so if you are not insured here, treatment is private and charged from the published list in euro on the prices page. The coordinator confirms your position before treatment begins.

No. The clinic provides treatment and documentation. It does not sell accommodation, airport transfers, tours or package deals, and does not work with dental tourism agencies or charge trip-arrangement fees. What we will tell you is how many appointments and how many days the plan needs, so you can arrange the stay yourself. Background is on the dental tourism page.

It depends on the treatment and is confirmed after an examination. As an orientation: fillings are often completed in one or two appointments, prosthetic work requires a laboratory stage between visits, and implants require a healing period before loading, which under conventional loading is more than two months. You receive the exact schedule in writing before you book travel.

You receive a written treatment plan, documentation of what was paid and a record of the procedures carried out, the materials used and the implant components where implants were placed. Radiographs and cone-beam CT data are provided on request. If a dentist in another country will take over follow-up, say so in advance so the documents can be prepared in a usable form.

Review appointments after surgery and after prosthetic work are built into the plan from the start. If you live abroad, part of the follow-up can be carried out by a local dentist, to whom we provide the documentation. Anything that requires work on what we placed requires a visit to the clinic, and travel costs are the responsibility of the patient. This is discussed openly before treatment starts.

That depends on the rules of your own health system and is its decision, not ours. We provide documentation of the treatment carried out and the amounts paid. We cannot commit to what proportion will be reimbursed. Check with your insurer in advance which documents they require and whether prior approval is needed, before treatment begins rather than after.

No. The clinic does not accept emergencies outside working hours. We are open Monday to Friday 09:00 to 18:00 and Sunday 08:00 to 14:00, and closed on Saturday. If the problem is life-threatening, call 112 or seek urgent medical help immediately. For a dental problem during working hours call +359 896 121 314 and we will look for the earliest available appointment.

If you have difficulty breathing or swallowing, bleeding that will not stop, major facial swelling, significant facial trauma or loss of consciousness, seek urgent medical help or call 112 immediately. Do not wait for a dental appointment and do not delay in order to send a message. These situations can deteriorate quickly and are managed by emergency medicine, not in a dental surgery.

Call the clinic on +359 896 121 314 during working hours and describe what happened, so the earliest possible appointment can be found. If a fragment has broken off, keep it. Do not place medication on the gum and do not try to reposition a tooth yourself. If there is significant facial trauma, bleeding that will not stop or loss of consciousness, seek urgent help or call 112.

Pain and swelling need an examination; no diagnosis is made and no treatment prescribed from a description or a photograph. Call during working hours so you can be seen as soon as possible. If the swelling involves the face or eye, if you have difficulty swallowing or breathing, or if you have a fever with a worsening condition, seek urgent medical help or call 112 immediately.

Sometimes, but we cannot promise it in advance. Call +359 896 121 314 during working hours and describe the problem; the coordinator will offer the earliest slot the clinical diary allows. The appointment is confirmed only once the coordinator has replied. Outside working hours the clinic does not accept emergencies, and a life-threatening problem means calling 112.

A clinical record is kept: medical history, findings, treatment carried out, materials and implant components used, radiographs and cone-beam CT images, signed informed consents, and correspondence with the clinic. These records are what makes it safe to continue treatment later. Retention follows Bulgarian medical record-keeping requirements and the applicable periods are confirmed on request.

Access is limited to the treating team and to staff who need it for their work, through individual accounts rather than shared credentials. Records are not disclosed to third parties without your consent, except where the law requires it. We do not discuss your condition with relatives or companions without your explicit consent, including by telephone.

Send a written request to smile@dental-club.bg or make it in person at the clinic. Your identity is verified, after which you receive a copy of the documentation and images in an agreed format. If the records are needed by a dentist in another country, say so in advance. Retention follows Bulgarian medical record-keeping requirements and the periods are confirmed on request.

Data from the form is used to reply to you and arrange an appointment, and for nothing else. It is not used for marketing messages without your consent and is not passed to third parties for marketing. Please do not send sensitive medical detail or identification numbers through the form. Retention follows Bulgarian requirements and the periods are confirmed on request.