Dental Anxiety

My teeth weren’t terrible; they were fairly white and fairly straight but there was a gap between my two top front teeth that bugged me. It didn’t affect my confidence but I didn’t like the way it looked.

A friend recommended Castle Gate Dental Practice to me – I didn’t realise they did so much cosmetic dentistry. I booked a free consultation with Richard and he came up with some solutions for me. I could have had veneers or composite but the results with braces are more permanent, so I decided to go for Six Month Smiles adult orthodontics.

I hadn’t really considered braces before. I assumed they would be metal and that I would have to wear them for two years and that put me off a bit. But Six Month Smiles braces are tooth coloured so they are more discreet and they work quickly. A few people noticed I was wearing braces but only if we were in conversation, standing quite close to each other. Other friends said they wouldn’t have noticed if I hadn’t told them.

The brace itself was quite comfortable from the start and I went back every three weeks to have new wires fitted. I really felt they put in a lot of work for the money – it wasn’t like they fitted the brace and then sent you off.

My treatment took just over six months to complete. If I’d been told it could take 18 months or more I wouldn’t have done it. The results are really good – I’m very pleased. Now that the brace has been removed, I have a retainer and I’ve also had strips fitted to the back of my teeth to help keep them in position.

I spread the cost of my treatment over the six months. Paying in one hit up front would have been tricky so this way worked out better.

Castle Gate is a good practice and all the people who work there are friendly. Richard carried out my brace treatment but I have also seen Emma and she’s very good as well.

When I was 14 I had NHS train track braces fitted but the retainer I was given to keep my teeth in place stopped fitting within a few weeks of my treatment finishing and my teeth started to move back.

I am 23 now and I was unhappy with my teeth. I have big teeth and a big smile and I can’t help but grin in photos. But whenever I saw the photos all I could see was that my bottom teeth weren’t straight and my top incisors had twisted and stuck out.

I wasn’t bothered what type of brace I had or how long treatment took so I looked on the internet for adult braces and found Castle Gate Dental Practice, which was really handy because it’s where I live.

When I was younger the treatment took 18 months or more and every time I went to have the wires tightened my mouth would be sore. But my treatment with Six Month Smiles adult braces barely hurt – it was much better than last time and I’m very happy with the results. The brackets were clear and most people didn’t even realise I had braces – even the retainer is a lot more invisible than the last one I had.

I knew the treatment would be expensive so I decided to start work early and not have the summer off to justify the cost. I was also benefited from a special offer the practice was running so that was an added bonus.

Everyone at Castle Gate is lovely and they knew my name as soon as I walked in. Richard Whitcombe, the dentist, always remembered where I worked or what we had talked about before and the practice offers a very personal service.

I have been a patient at Castle Gate Dental Practice since 2004. I did change dentists once when I moved jobs but I came back because I realised that the service at Castle Gate was much better

I have always been extremely happy with my dental care at Castle Gate and I attend regular dental and hygiene appointments there. I have had challenges with my teeth and that led to me requiring quite extensive treatments. I entrusted this dental work to Dr Whitcombe, in whom I have every faith. He is an ethical dentist and instils confidence in me. I have recommended him to quite a few people and would not hesitate to do so again.

I have also had difficulties with my gums and my hygienist, Jane Bailey, has taught me what to do at home and her instruction and advice has made a huge difference to the health of my gums; I’m really pleased.

I especially like that the reception team remembers me and refers to me by my name and I always feel that Dr Whitcombe and Mrs Bailey, take a genuine interest in my life and remember me personally. Things like that do matter, they are really important and make a real difference to how you feel. I have never been kept waiting for too long and the practice seems to run very smoothly. I have not encountered anyone else being kept waiting, their patients seem to be seen promptly.

Overall, Castle Gate Dental Practice is a friendly, cost effective and efficient dental practice which provides excellent patient care with a personal touch.

I’ve been a patient at Castle Gate Dental Practice for almost a year and I think they are absolutely brilliant. They all explain everything really well and my dentist, Mr Whitcombe, is really great.

I had a problem with my teeth that needed sorting quickly, so I went into the practice to see if they could see me as an emergency patient, which they did. I was really quite scared at the beginning because I knew I hadn’t seen a dentist for a while but they were very understanding.

I needed some fillings and had an extraction and that sorted the immediate emergency treatment I required. I then decided to have my teeth whitened to complete my smile. Tooth whitening has changed my smile. I didn’t used to smile all that often but whitening has made me happy, so I now smile much more often!

I’ve been a patient at Castle Gate Dental Practice for between ten and fifteen years and Emma is my dentist. She is quite marvellous and I’ve told her so many times. Her work is of a very high standard and she’s brilliant.

I’ve always been a nervous patient and I find it difficult to relax but the way Emma talks to me and tells me exactly what she’s going to do makes me feel reassured. She speaks so calmly and nicely when she’s working and makes little jokes to put you at ease.

I walk with a stick and someone always comes out to help me through to the reception area, where they sit me down and get me a drink. I’m 84 and Emma takes my coat and helps me into the chair. It’s more like visiting friends than going to the dentist.

My hygienist is Jane Bailey and she is fantastic too. I like sitting back and looking at the postcards on her ceiling as it takes my mind off my nerves. I listen to her advice and floss my teeth regularly.

Recently, I had a broken tooth and I called the practice straightaway. They saw me that same day, which is great service. When I had a look in the mirror after the treatment the tooth was perfect again – I couldn’t see a difference. I told Emma that she deserved a medal!