My phobia started when I was 16, just over 14 years ago. I’d visited the dentist to have a filling. The dentist drilled into a nerve and I could fully feel everything- the pain was unbelievable. After that I used to avoid going to the dentist. I’d look away when I saw a toothpaste advertisement. But the longer I went without seeing a dentist the more the phobia grew. My teeth seemed fine up until I was 26 years old and I cracked a tooth but my fear meant that I didn’t do anything about it. After that a filling on the other side of my mouth came out. Still the thought of going the dentist scared me so much. Every time I looked in the mirror I was crying. I couldn’t believe my teeth were getting worse and worse and starting to fail.
I started to have nightmares that my teeth were just breaking off and falling out. In the winter the cold was causing the most painful toothaches and migraines. It was getting to the stage where I was becoming reliant on pain killers. But I came to a point where even they didn’t help, more and more teeth were hurting.
I found Dental Solutions on line and decided to take the first step and e mail them. This is the reply…
Hi Mark,
Thanks for your e mail!
We get lots of similar e mails to yours every week, and it’s always a pleasure to help nervous patients overcome their fears and help them fix their mouths.
The first step is for you to give me a contact number and I will ask one of the reception team to set up your first free appointment.
This will give us a chance to meet and have a chat and see if it’s possible to help you.
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Gavin<?strong>
This gave me the courage to see Gavin and after talking to Nicky, his friendly practice manager I made an appointment. Gavin sat me down in a corner away from the dentist chair which straight away put me at ease. Eventually Gavin got me in the chair, took X rays and confirmed my worse suspicions- many of my teeth were too damaged to save. I wanted to cry but was trying to stay strong. When I asked about the procedure for implants it all became too much for me and I fainted in the surgery. I was so embarrassed about fainting in front of everyone. But they helped me up, got me a drink and calmed me down.
Gavin then put the question to me ‘What do you want with your teeth?’
I replied a straight smile, molars where I could chew and start eating properly and more confidence in myself. He told me that all of that could be achieved! By just spending 30 minutes with Gavin I felt I could trust him. He asked if the cost of the whole treatment affected my phobia. I won’t lie the work I was having done was going to be costly and the cheaper option and less work option would have been a denture. But I knew that what he was proposing was the best thing for me.
Before I knew it I had appointments booked with what felt like everyone- for impressions, visits to the hygienist, the orthodontist and finally the implant surgeon.
So I was signed up to have 7 teeth extracted, 2 x fillings, 5 Implants placed, a brace to straighten my teeth and finish it all off with Zoom Whitening. It felt very daunting. But I got through it with Gavin and his staff. I cannot praise them enough for their patience with me and their care.
I was going up to twice a week at one stage- this frequency actually helped my phobia. Every time I visited I was treated just as importantly as the first time. I wasn’t forced to do anything I didn’t want to do, and I never felt rushed.
I’d probably say out of everything I was to have done the Implants were the most major part of my treatment and believe it or not it was actually the easiest thing to do. I won’t lie and say it was 100{4a9254d467a64c1e51086d3bdd1107e0bcb2b3308df85966a5fd21f50c95df53} painless but I would describe it more as a discomfort. After all the tooth ache pain, the Migraines this discomfort I was nowhere near to the agony I’d suffered from neglecting my teeth in the past.
So where I am now, now my treatment is complete. Having my smile makeover has to be the best decision I have ever done and my determination to fight my phobia has paid off.
I am now more confident than I have ever been in life. The nightmares have stopped. I have started dating again, I am getting compliments on my smile which I never thought I would ever get. I feel the biggest weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I am me again, I haven’t felt like this in such a long time.
I can honestly say that all this would never been possible without Gavin and his team. They really have changed my life. I will always be grateful for what they have done for me. If you are like me and feel the same as I did then please go see them. It’s a free consultation and you will not be judged and be given the highest standard of service and care. If I can go through all this and come out with a lovely smile and a passion for the dentist then am sure you can do. I promise you that you will not be sorry.
Mark x
