Health & Wellness

In short: Panama treats around 50,000 international patients a year in a private system with two hospitals accredited by the Joint Commission International, Hospital Punta Pacífica and Clínica Hospital San Fernando, and a public network that expanded with Ciudad de la Salud, a 1,368-bed complex. The most requested procedures are dentistry, cosmetic surgery, orthopaedics and executive check-ups, with savings the sector's firms put at around half compared with the United States. Tocumen's connectivity, the dollar and proximity to North America explain the growth, but the patient should verify accreditation, the doctor's licence and insurance coverage before travelling. Contents of this…

In short: full mouth rehabilitation is not a treatment but a plan: the ordered combination of several procedures, gum therapy, root canals, implants, crowns, bridges, dentures, orthodontics or cosmetic work, to give a deteriorated mouth back the ability to chew, speak and smile with stability. It is indicated when several teeth are missing, when there is severe wear, fractures, old restorations that no longer do their job or a disturbed bite, and it always starts with a diagnosis of how the jaws fit together. Radar Panamá explains when it makes sense, in what order it is done, how long it…

In short: the general recommendation is a professional dental cleaning every six months, but the right interval is set by each mouth: anyone with a history of gum disease, braces, diabetes, smoking or fast tartar build-up needs check-ups every three or four months, while someone with healthy gums and good hygiene can space them out. A cleaning removes the plaque and tartar a toothbrush cannot reach, especially below the gum line, and it is the cheapest way to prevent cavities, gingivitis and periodontitis, the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Radar Panamá sums up what it includes, which signs…

In short: a root canal is the treatment that removes infected or inflamed dental pulp, cleans and seals the canals inside the root and saves a tooth that would otherwise have to be extracted. It is needed when deep decay, a fracture or a blow lets bacteria reach the nerve, and its warning signs are persistent pain, lingering sensitivity to hot or cold, a swollen gum or an abscess. With today's technology it is a comfortable procedure, with success rates above 90% according to the American Association of Endodontists, and almost always preferable to extraction. Radar Panamá explains what happens…