Denture Phobia

Judy – Denture Phobia

Thank goodness for Google! I searched “dental / denture phobia” and came up with the Winning Smiles website. I am 62 years old and work in a position where I am constantly dealing with people face to face. Having had dental problems for many years and having been unable to cope with regular dentures or even sitting in the dentist’s chair I was at the point of considering giving up work as my dental appearance was so poor I felt constantly embarrassed and yet could not overcome my phobia to visit a dentist.

From my first contact with Winning Smiles I have nothing but praise for Andrew Fennell and indeed his whole team. I now have denture implants and can smile again for the first time in years and although I still have some work to be done I have no fear! Thank you so so much.

Treatments: Implant Retained Dentures

Dental Review Response

By Andrew

Judy thanks so much for your honesty here. So many patients are in a similar situation and they want to know that something can be done to help them overcome their nerves and sort out their dental problems.

Many patients suffer so much with their dentures that they either give up and go ‘toothless’ or only wear them for show – being careful never to eat in front of anyone. Dentures can be very difficult to wear – even the good ones move around quite a bit (especially in the lower jaw) – eating hard food? Forget it.

Soft foods only – and nipping to the bathroom after every meal to remove trapped food. Hardly glamorous.

About 10% of denture patients can’t wear them because they cause gagging.

And why have these patients lost so many teeth in the first place? It’s as Judy says – a fear of visiting the dentist (often started as a child) which keeps them away unless they are in total agony by which time it is often too late to save the tooth and the extractions start. Our first task with a patient like Judy (and there are many) is to reassure them that

  • 1) We care
  • 2) We understand
  • 3)We are not going to make you feel like its all your fault (its usually a childhood dentist at fault in truth)
  • 4) We will take all the time we need (no rushing)
  • 5) It’s never too late – we can provide a fully functioning solution.

Mike – Restoring My Faith in Dentistry

Having first visited Andrew and his team in August 2010 I was extremely nervous having lost my father 30 years ago due to a dentists negligence aged 51. Close to a year later and now being 51 myself I can only thank Andrew and his whole team for helping me to come to terms with dentistry as a whole.

I would without hesitation recommend Andrew and his team for the humour coupled with professionalism they have shown over the last year. In this day and age it is refreshing to find service like this at every level of a business. In summary if you have any issues with dentists as a profession I can honestly say that these people are the best.

Rob – Rebuilding my Smile

After two weeks with my fab new smile, I feel inspired to share my experience.

From my first meeting and consultation with Andrew Fennell, I felt comfortrouble and at ease, a first for me I’m afraid, previous dentists must have studied at Dewhurst I think, nuff said.

I had a series of missing, loose and broken crowns, and my smile had disappeared and distorted over time. Andrew offered different options to rebuild the smile, we worked out the most cost effective way in my case would be a bridge, great, compared with dentures I was offered everywhere else this was fantastic and I was very happy to start treatment.

Winning Smiles attitude to pain management must be commended! That for me was a very big fear and what kept me away from a dentist for too long. The painless injection system used by Andrew was the most reassuring experience possible, from then on I was happy to go through hours of work and even have a laugh during treatment at times, amazing. Other patients reading this will know what I mean when I talk about the synergy between Andrew and his nurses during treatment, it’s almost like going to a gig with the level of intuition and communication on display, and has changed my mind about dentists forever (well some anyway).

So having also seen Andrew blow a mean blues harmonica, I can understand this better!

The skill and communication on display between Andrew, and the entire team are what makes Winning Smiles brilliant. The atmosphere, the statue, the smiles on the faces of other waiting clients, just make the whole experience really enjoyable.

My smile recommends Winning Smiles to everybody I meet. Thank you all and see you soon no doubt for hygienist and other delights. :)