Tips for Overcoming Your Fear of Going to the Dentist
One of the most important tools in dentistry is a bi-annual cleaning and exam that offers preventative care and can reduce the need for more invasive dental treatment. Catching dental concerns in their early stage gives patients options for more conservative treatment and better outcomes. Still, this preventative care and early intervention may be unavailable for patients who avoid dental treatment for any reason. While extreme cases of dentist fear do exist and may require professional help, here is how we at the Alleman Center work to put our patients at ease for routine visits and restorative care.
Patient education and biomimetic dentistry
At the Alleman Center, we love sharing our work with our patients for two reasons:
We are proud of the work we do, and
When patients learn how our work is different from other dentists, they are excited about what it means for their own dental health.
At our office you’ll find fliers that explain how biomimetic dentistry is different and even a whole book about the restorative process. During diagnosis and treatment, we use photos to show a patient their pathology and how we are treating their tooth. We want patients to feel comfortable asking questions to learn more about their treatment plan and dental health.
How we support our patients
From “What to Expect” to “How We’re Different,” we created our website to be a resource for our patients, but we don’t stop there. Patient Care Coordinator Sheila Bernhoft assists patients throughout the entire process, making sure your questions are answered every step of the way.
When you are at our office for your appointment, you will find a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Dr. Alleman and our dental assistant Elena will work with you throughout diagnosis and treatment to make sure you feel comfortable and confident. Learn more about the Alleman Center team before your visit.
The Alleman Center is a judgment-free zone
If you haven’t been to the dentist in a while, for whatever reason, it’s never too late to come back. In fact, the sooner the better! We offer initial patient consultations that include an exam and cleaning, so you can restart your preventative routine and receive recommendations for any additional care. We care about your dental health just as much as you do, so we’re excited to help as you restart your dental care journey.
Biomimetic dentistry is better dentistry
Biomimetic dentistry is the only type of dentistry we practice at the Alleman Center because it offers superior results for our patients thanks to advancements beyond traditional retention (think gray amalgam fillings) or adhesive (think tooth-colored fillings or crowns) dentistry. A few examples:
Biomimetic dentistry gives the tooth nerve (the pulp) a chance to heal. Many teeth that have been recommended for root canal therapy can be restored biomimetically without a root canal and the pulp will heal naturally.
These advanced techniques seal the tooth to protect it from decay and eliminate sensitivity. If you have teeth that are sensitive from previous restorations, biomimetic dentistry can help.
Biomimetic dentistry conserves healthy tooth structure. Many patients don’t want their tooth cut away for a crown, and we agree! Conserving that tooth structure helps support your tooth’s long-term health.
Supporting the body’s natural processes
While biomimetic dentistry is not the same as biologic dentistry or holistic dentistry, many of our goals align. Patients may avoid going to a dentist out of concern of overly invasive procedures or with the goal to let their body heal on its own. Biomimetic dentistry supports your body’s natural oral health by:
Conserving and protecting healthy tooth structure: biomimetic dentistry uses advanced adhesion to bond to your tooth, so teeth do not need to be cut into specific shapes to mechanically retain a filling or crown, saving portions of your tooth that would traditionally be removed. This remaining tooth structure is further protected by immediate dentin sealing and resin coating, which seal your tooth to protect against future decay under your restoration and support it to prevent cracks from forming.
Allowing the nerve to heal: these same steps of immediate dentin sealing and resin coating also protect the tooth’s nerve, known as the pulp. If there is infection near the pulp but the tooth responds to a vitality test, biomimetic dentistry, in many cases, can prevent the tooth’s need for root canal therapy, preserving the tooth’s natural defenses.
Preventative care — bi-annual exam and cleaning — also supports your body by minimizing the risk of infection and catching pathologies early. Dental cleanings remove plaque left by regular toothbrushes and floss. X-rays and exams help Dr. Alleman assess any symptoms and identify potential concerns early, allowing for less invasive treatment.
Discussing financial concerns
Even with dental insurance, many dental treatments require a large out-of-pocket expense from patients. For patients concerned about the affordability of their dental care, biomimetic dentistry can offer the value they are looking for. Because biomimetic dentistry lasts longer and protects your tooth’s health better than traditional practices, what you pay for biomimetic dental treatment is lower when divided over years of use. Biomimetic techniques can also help patients avoid additional costs like crown lengthening surgery, root canal therapy and implants.
You can learn more about fees and insurance, or reach out to Sheila any time you have questions about your treatment and cost of care.
Patients may feel concern or anxiety about going to the dentist for a variety of reasons, but the sooner you return, the better. Whether you are worried about your dental health history, previous recommendations that felt overly invasive or the financial cost, at the Alleman Center, you will find a supportive environment that is here to help you, wherever you are on your dental health journey.
You might still have questions.
How is biomimetic dentistry different? By mimicking a natural tooth, we are able to solve the problems with traditional dentistry of symptomatic restorations that only last a few years. Read more about biomimetic dentistry to see how it is different from traditional practices.
I am unable to travel to Utah for treatment. Is there a biomimetic dentist near me? Dr. David Alleman and Dr. Davey Alleman have trained hundreds of doctors around the world to practice the same way we do here in Provo, UT, so there may be a biomimetic dentist in your area. View our alumni map to see the doctors we have trained.
We’ll write about these topics and more in future blog posts, or we’re happy to talk about the work we do any time. Reach out at office@allemancenter.com or (801) 717-9860 any time, or ask Dr. Alleman at your next appointment.
