Dr. Rahul Nehra tells us how dentistry has changed in recent years and what this means for us as patients.
Dentistry has long been filled with stories of horrific experiences and painful procedures. And it's time to set the record straight. In this article, I'll introduce you to the new era of dentistry.
The turning point in dentistry
I've been a practicing dentist for years and I hear the same thing from patients every time, that they're afraid of the dentist and what we do. That's why you're reading this article, because I wanted to talk to you about that dreaded initial visit to the dentist. It's not like you might imagine (waiting with a drill in hand followed by an evil laugh), we're actually pretty relaxed. And if you come in and have regular appointments, you'll start to see how easy it is.
Dentistry has changed a lot in recent years. The emphasis is less on making the actual fillings and more on teaching you how to avoid doing them in the first place. We offer you tips and tricks on the little things you can do to take care of your teeth. Nowadays, Dentistry has become a matter of prevention. And she also became more inclined towards cosmetics.
“Dentistry has changed a lot. It focuses less on fillings and more on teaching you how to avoid them in the first place.”
Our practice, Smile Gallery, is based in East Grinstead and we have recently noticed that patients are now coming in and saying things like “I want to whiten my teeth”, “I want to straighten my teeth”, rather than what we used to hear, which was that I need to get big old metal fillings (which, by the way, no longer exist).
What does the consultation entail?
We are very straightforward and the more often you come in, the easier the whole process will be for you. If there is ever a problem, we usually catch it pretty early on, so you don't have to worry. And once we do, it's usually very easy to fix, rather than having to resort to the old-fashioned method of pulling teeth.
So, come visit us. It’s easy and pleasant. Most consultations are easy. We’ll take photos, X-rays and go over everything with you. In fact, we’ve set up the waiting room to feel like a living room, designed to make you feel at ease. You’ll come in, you’ll chat. You’ll get a coffee or tea and then we’ll sit down with you (so you’re not stuck in the dental chair after the exam) and talk about what you want. Our goal is to always focus on what you want. Whether you’ve come to discuss your gums, your teeth or just for a general discussion about your smile. We’ll then go slowly and teach you the things we know and it will be much easier and much more comfortable for you later.
You will then meet our team and we will show you before and after pictures of cases we have already worked on to give you an idea of what you can do. It's really that simple. We even have music playing in the background during the treatment session. We will laugh and joke around. You will get to know all of us. And by the end you will probably get tired of us. But it is a fun experience. I can promise you that.
Most common concerns
I am often asked "how expensive will it be" or "if I'm scared".
Costs can be broken down. Dentistry doesn't have to be expensive, but it is a necessity. Payments can be spread out with monthly options. In our clinic alone, we have several options that can reduce costs to around £20 – £30 per month. And the fear can be put to rest with the help of friendly dentists and a friendly team. Our aim is to make you feel as relaxed as possible. After sitting down for a coffee with us, you will realise that we are normal people and not those scary dentists in white coats anymore.
So, what is dentistry like now?
The new era of dentistry is pain-free. For example, at our office we no longer take impressions, but simply we scan your teeth and you can see the scans live. We use a lot of numbing products, numbing gels, etc. And we don't rush to let everything settle, making this a simple and painless process. Even the way we use our tools now is much softer and much gentler.
The way dentistry is set up now is to remove the stigma and fear attached to it, so your oral health doesn't have to suffer because you're afraid to come to us.
“The new era of dentistry is pain-free.”
Some treatments require you to be numbed, and the biggest concern I hear from patients about this is the injection. It always feels like they have a big needle in their head, but it's actually quite small and thin, and of course we numb your skin before we inject the anesthetic. We use heaters that warm the anesthetic so it feels like a liquid. It wears off within 90 minutes, and many of our patients go back to work without feeling like they've had surgery.
Can I afford it?
Everyone worries about the cost of dentistry, so many patients say “it’s too expensive, I can’t afford it.” But basic treatments are not expensive. Your general checkups are designed to prevent bigger problems from occurring and keep you from paying for expensive treatments.
These are put in place to prevent you from needing crowns or large fillings. And if you do need them then you will have lots of options, there are two or three different payment options for each treatment, I have patients on 0% financing and some who pay £30 a month which makes the treatment much more affordable than it used to be.
Source: enlightensmiles.com
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