Common Dental Questions
Clear answers for oral health
Browse answers to common questions about oral health, treatments, costs, aftercare and patient experience at Attelia London. This page is designed to make dental topics easier to understand in a clear, balanced way. All information is general guidance, and suitability always depends on an individual clinical assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ Topics
Browse a selection of the questions patients ask most often about oral health, treatments, costs and aftercare.
Not in every case. Clear aligners can be excellent for many patients, but fixed braces may still be more suitable for certain movements, more complex bite correction or cases needing tighter control. The right appliance depends on the diagnosis rather than preference alone.
A dental emergency usually involves severe pain, swelling, trauma, uncontrolled bleeding, a knocked-out tooth, difficulty swallowing, or anything that is rapidly worsening. Some issues are urgent rather than true emergencies, such as a lost filling without pain, but they should still be assessed promptly.
Treatment times vary widely. Some cases are relatively straightforward, while others require staged healing, temporary solutions or additional procedures such as grafting before the final tooth can be fitted. A realistic timeline can only be given after assessment and imaging.
Bonding is usually completed directly on the tooth and can be more conservative and easier to repair, while porcelain veneers are laboratory-made and tend to offer stronger stain resistance and potentially greater long-term stability. Veneers may require some enamel adjustment, so the right choice depends on anatomy, goals and bite.
NHS dentistry is designed around clinically necessary care delivered within a regulated public system, while private dentistry offers wider flexibility in time, treatment options, materials and access. Neither model is automatically right for every patient, so the useful question is which route is most suitable for your needs and expectations.
Sometimes a practice can provide a starting guide or a consultation fee, but an exact treatment fee is usually only responsible after assessment. That is because the final scope depends on diagnosis, sequencing, materials and whether any hidden factors are identified once the mouth is examined properly.
A first consultation usually focuses on understanding your concerns, reviewing medical history, carrying out an examination and discussing suitable next steps. Depending on the reason for attending, radiographs, photographs or scans may also be recommended. Recommendations should follow clinical assessment rather than assumptions.
Private fees can vary because treatment complexity, materials, equipment, time, laboratory stages and clinician involvement differ from one case to another. A fee that is suitable for one patient may not reflect what another patient needs. The most reliable fee guide follows assessment and a written plan.
You should arrange a dental review if a symptom is persistent, worsening, recurring or affecting normal eating, sleeping or function. That may include bleeding gums, sensitivity that does not settle, swelling, a broken tooth, a loose restoration or any soft tissue change that does not resolve.
Dry mouth means the mouth is not being lubricated as well as it should be, often because saliva flow is reduced. Saliva helps neutralise acids, protect soft tissues and support remineralisation, so ongoing dryness may increase the risk of decay, irritation and discomfort. Management depends on the underlying cause.
Plaque is a sticky bacterial biofilm that collects on the teeth and around the gum line. If it is not removed effectively, it can contribute to tooth decay, gum inflammation and bad breath. Over time it may harden into tartar, which cannot usually be removed with brushing alone.
A routine examination usually includes a review of your symptoms and medical history, an assessment of your teeth, gums and bite, and a check of the soft tissues inside the mouth. Where clinically appropriate, your dentist may also recommend X-rays or photographs to help with diagnosis, monitoring and treatment planning.
Bad breath can have several causes, including plaque build-up, gum disease, tongue coating, dry mouth, food retention and sometimes medical or sinus-related factors. Because the cause varies, the most reliable next step is a proper assessment rather than guessing from symptoms alone.
Mouthwash may support an oral hygiene routine, but it is not a substitute for brushing with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between the teeth. The right product depends on your needs, and some mouthwashes are intended for short-term use rather than as a permanent daily default.
