Health & Wellness

In short: to study medicine in Panama, Universidad Latina de Panamá offers the Doctor of Medicine and Surgery program and asks, besides the general entry documents, for requirements specific to its Faculty of Health Sciences: a chest X-ray with report, a vaccination card, a psychological test, a knowledge test in physics, mathematics, biology and chemistry, diagnostic tests in English and information technology, and a first aid course. Foreign students add an apostille, validation and translation of their documents. Updated October 2026. Contents of this guide The program according to the website Entry requirements checklist If the high school diploma is…

In short: Gum recession is the pulling back of the tissue that covers the tooth root: the root is exposed and the tooth looks longer. Associated factors include age, hygiene, brushing technique and force, bite interferences and each person's anatomy. Not every recession needs surgery. When it is treated, a gum graft is one of the procedures that cover exposed roots and, according to the periodontics page of Dental Life Panamá, the periodontist decides after the diagnosis. Contents of this guide What gum recession is Causes and associated factors When treatment is needed What a gum graft is and what…

In short: Bruxism is grinding or clenching the teeth, awake or asleep, and according to the UK NHS it is often related to stress or anxiety. It does not always need treatment. When there are worn teeth, jaw pain or headaches, a dentist may recommend a night guard, a protector worn during sleep. Scientific reviews show that a splint is a viable option, but that the evidence on how well it treats bruxism itself is limited. According to its website, Dental Life Panamá includes bruxism treatment and occlusal splints in its oral rehabilitation service. Contents of this guide What bruxism…

In short: A conventional denture rests on the gum and is taken out for cleaning; an overdenture is also removable but is fixed to implants; and a fixed prosthesis on implants is not removed. In 2002 the McGill consensus proposed the mandibular overdenture on two implants as the first-choice treatment for people with no teeth in the lower jaw. A 2022 review in Periodontology 2000 cites five-year survival of 97.1% for fixed prostheses on implants and 95% to 100% for overdentures. Updated in October 2026. Radar Panamá infographic with the article's comparison at a glance. Download infographic (PNG) Contents of…

In short: A crown restores a tooth that still exists; a bridge and an implant replace a tooth that is missing. The ADA (MouthHealthy) says a crown is used when too little tooth remains to hold a large filling, to protect a weak tooth, to restore a broken one, to cover misshapen or discoloured teeth, to anchor a bridge or to cover an implant. A fixed bridge rests on other teeth, whereas an implant is anchored in the bone. According to systematic reviews, crowns on natural teeth reach between 90.4% and 98.5% five-year survival depending on the material, and implant-supported…

In short: Teeth whitening lightens the colour of natural teeth and comes in three forms: in the dental office, with gel applied by the dentist; at home, with custom-made trays supervised by the dentist; and with over-the-counter products. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), only natural teeth change colour: crowns, implants and tooth-coloured restorations do not lighten. The Cochrane review of home-based bleaching concludes that bleaching agents whiten teeth compared with placebo, with low to very low certainty of evidence, and that sensitivity and irritation are the most common effects. Updated in October 2026. Radar Panamá infographic with the…

In short: Wisdom teeth are removed when there is disease or a concrete risk: persistent pain, gum infections, decay, damage to neighboring teeth or cysts. When they cause no symptoms, the decision is individual: a Cochrane review found not enough evidence to remove or keep them as a routine, and teeth that are kept need regular check-ups. A panoramic X-ray is the test that helps decide. Surgery usually lasts from a few minutes to 40, and most of the discomfort is concentrated in the first few days. Contents of this guide When to remove them and when watching is enough…

In short: gingivitis is inflammation of the gums caused by bacterial plaque, with redness and bleeding, and it reverses with professional cleaning and good hygiene at home. Periodontitis is the advanced stage: the infection spreads below the gum line, destroys the bone and tissues that support the teeth and, left untreated, can loosen them or lead to tooth loss. Periodontitis does not reverse, but specialized treatment and steady maintenance can stop it from progressing. Contents of this guide Gingivitis and periodontitis: what they are Comparison table Warning signs and when to seek care Treatment at each stage Risk factors How…

In short: braces stay fixed to the teeth throughout treatment and, according to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), can treat most bite problems. Invisalign is a system of clear, removable aligners that are almost invisible, must be worn at least 22 hours a day and do not suit every case. The choice depends on the diagnosis, the patient's discipline and the budget, and it is made by the orthodontist after an assessment, not by a preference formed beforehand. Contents of this guide Braces or Invisalign: the short answer When each one fits Who decides: the diagnosis Faster, more painful,…

In short: in a systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Journal of Dentistry (Howe and colleagues, 2019), 96.4% of dental implants were still in place at 10 years. After adjusting for patients lost to follow-up, the figure dropped to 93.2%. The titanium screw usually outlasts the crown on top of it, and the result depends mostly on gum health, hygiene, regular check-ups and habits such as smoking and teeth grinding. Losing an implant over the years is uncommon, but possible. Contents of this guide How long implants last: what the studies show What it depends on and what to…

In short: Dental veneers are thin shells of porcelain or resin bonded to the front of a tooth to change its color, shape or size. They are usually suggested for healthy teeth with stains that do not respond to whitening, worn edges, small gaps or irregular shapes, and are postponed or ruled out when there is active decay, gum disease, uncontrolled teeth grinding or marked crowding. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), enamel is removed to place them and the treatment is not reversible, so the decision rests on a dental evaluation. Contents of this guide What dental veneers…