Got Questions? We Have Answers

Many people have a fear of the dentist. Here at Bournville Dental Practice we understand that coming to see us might be a little daunting, below we try and answer some of the questions we get asked a lot.

Why am I afraid of the dentist?

Being afraid of the dentist means different things to different people and different people will have different triggers for their fears. Some are worried by sounds, others are worried by smells but whatever the trigger, it brings back memories of bad experiences, often as a child, when they have suffered discomfort during dental treatment

Why shouldn′t I be afraid now?

Techniques have improved greatly in recent years and modern dentistry should be completely painless. However, if you have anxieties you will still feel nervous at the thought of going to the dentist and this will not change until you have had an initial visit to meet the dental team and discover how caring, understanding and supportive we are

What will happen at the first appointment?

Your first appointment could be just for a consultation, radiographs and a chat about any treatment you may need. It will give you the opportunity to interview us!

If I need lots of treatment can it all be done in one visit?
We will always carry out treatment in the minimum number of visits. However, it is rarely possible to carry out all treatment in one visit only, particularly if it is some time since you last attended. This is because, for the long term success of any restorative treatment, it is essential that the supporting tissues are healthy. To achieve this, and to demonstrate methods of home care to enable you to maintain a healthy mouth, at least one appointment is usually required for cleaning . This can be carried out utilising local anaesthetic to ensure your comfort. Please do not be misled by clinics that may promise one appointment only, it is not possible to place long lasting restorations if the supporting tissues, the gums and bone are not healthy.
Will it hurt?

NO! The use of the most modern methods of analgesia ensures pain free treatment. An anaesthetic paste is applied to the gum before administration of the local anaesthetic to ensure you feel nothing.
However, should you experience any discomfort at all, please let us know and we will respond to ensure your comfort.

I′m afraid of needles, what can I do?

Many people are afraid of injections, particularly in the mouth .An anaesthetic paste is applied to the area of gum that is to be injected and this numbs the gum so you do not feel the needle

I hate the sound of the drill, can I bring anything with me?

Music playing at all times and we provide repeated reassurance and distraction which helps greatly in this situation

Can I ask the dentist to stop if I need to?

We always ask you to raise your hand if you want us to stop for any reason. We will always respond and once you know that you can control the situation, you will feel more confident.