Frequently asked questions

Call us on 0121 348 8800, use the enquiry form on this website, or ask for an appointment at reception. New patients are welcome, and our treatment coordinator Rae will match you with the right clinician for what you need.

We're open Monday 9:00–17:00, Tuesday 8:15–17:00, Wednesday and Thursday 9:00–17:00, Friday 9:00–16:00, and Saturday 9:00–12:30. We're closed on Sundays.

Call us on 0121 348 8800 as early in the day as you can — we keep space for urgent problems and will always try to see registered patients in pain the same day. For severe swelling, uncontrolled bleeding or difficulty breathing, call 111 or 999.

You'll find us at 29 Sycamore Road, Bournville, Birmingham B30 2AA — in the heart of the historic Cadbury village, a short walk from Bournville station. On-street parking is available nearby.

Your first appointment is a relaxed conversation and a thorough examination. We check your teeth, gums and soft tissues, take any X-rays that are genuinely needed, and talk through anything we find in plain English — with costs agreed before any treatment starts.

Yes, and you'll be in good company — many patients arrive feeling anxious. Nothing happens that you haven't agreed to, and you can take breaks at any point. Sedation is excluded from NHS treatment; private sedation may be available depending on the clinician and treatment planned. Tell us when you book and we'll plan extra time.

Yes. Cadbury Dental is a mixed practice, so you can be seen as an NHS patient, a private patient, or a mix of both — for example NHS check-ups with private cosmetic treatment on top.

NHS dentistry covers clinically necessary treatment to keep your mouth healthy, in set charge bands. Private dentistry opens up longer appointments, more appointment choice, and cosmetic options the NHS doesn't fund — such as white fillings on back teeth, Invisalign, implants and whitening.

No. Invisalign, dental implants, veneers and cosmetic whitening are private treatments and aren't funded by the NHS for adults. Finance options bring them within reach of most budgets.

Just call us or send an enquiry and we'll register you — there's no lengthy process. We'll book your first examination and take a medical history when you arrive.

Every treatment starts with a fixed written quote before anything begins — no surprises. As a guide, cosmetic Invisalign starts from £1,995, and routine care is covered from £15.95 per month on the practice plan.

It's our membership plan from £15.95 per month covering your routine examinations and hygiene visits, with nothing to pay on the day for included care. Members typically save around £116 a year compared with paying per visit.

Yes. We offer finance through Chrysalis Finance, including 0% APR options subject to status, from £250 to £50,000 over 3 months to 5 years. Invisalign, for example, is available from around £49 per month.

No. You receive a written treatment plan with fixed costs before any work starts, and if anything changes clinically, we explain it and re-quote first.

Cadbury Dental is an Invisalign Diamond Plus Provider — one of the highest tiers awarded by Invisalign — with over 5,000 cases completed. That experience means more accurate planning, fewer refinements and better long-term results.

Most cosmetic cases finish in 6–10 months. Comprehensive cases involving bigger movements or bite correction typically take 12–18 months, and you'll get a personalised timeline at your free assessment.

Honestly: the first day or two of each new aligner feels like firm pressure rather than sharp pain — most patients describe it as 'tight'. Paracetamol handles it, and almost everyone finds it dramatically more comfortable than fixed braces.

At Cadbury Dental, cosmetic Invisalign cases start from £1,995, with comprehensive cases up to around £3,995. Every quote includes your scans, all aligners, refinements, free whitening and retainers — a fixed written quote after your free assessment.

Almost certainly not. Most patients tell us colleagues only realised when they mentioned it. Small tooth-coloured attachments may be placed on a few teeth to help the aligners grip, but they're subtle.

You take them out to eat anything. Plain water is fine with them in; coffee, tea, fizzy drinks and wine should be enjoyed with them out, then brush before putting them back.

Relapse is the biggest threat to any orthodontic result, which is why our plans include retainers. Wear your removable retainers nightly and your smile stays straight.

Yes. Corrective treatment is a large part of what we do — as a Diamond Plus Provider with over 5,000 cases, we regularly finish or rescue treatments started elsewhere. Book a free assessment and we'll give you an honest plan.

With good hygiene and regular reviews, implants can last decades. The crown on top may need replacing sooner — we'll show you how to look after both.

Placement is carried out under local anaesthetic, and most patients find it easier than expected — often easier than the extraction that came before. Mild soreness for a few days afterwards is normal.

Most cases take a few months, because the implant needs time to integrate with the bone before the final crown is fitted. We'll map out your full timeline at the assessment.

Bone grafting or alternative implant positions are often possible, and our 3D scanning shows us exactly what we're working with. We'll tell you honestly what's achievable at your assessment.

Yes — from a single tooth to implant-supported bridges and full-arch solutions. You don't need one implant per missing tooth.

Most adults do well on a check-up every 6–12 months, but the right interval depends on your gum health, decay risk and medical history — we'll recommend a personalised recall after your examination rather than applying a one-size-fits-all rule.

Most patients benefit from a hygiene visit every 3–6 months. If you have a history of gum disease, implants, or orthodontic attachments, we'll usually recommend the shorter interval.

Bleeding gums are almost always a sign of gingivitis — inflammation caused by plaque building up at the gumline — not a reason to stop brushing. A professional clean plus better interdental cleaning usually settles it within a few weeks; persistent bleeding needs a gum health assessment.

A scale and polish removes everyday plaque and tartar above the gumline. A deep clean (root surface debridement) treats gum disease by cleaning below the gumline under local anaesthetic — it's prescribed when we measure deeper gum pockets.

Yes — modern digital X-rays use extremely low doses of radiation, and we only take them when they will genuinely change your diagnosis or treatment. Tell us if you're pregnant and we'll discuss whether imaging can safely wait.

Your toothbrush can't reach between your teeth, which is where most decay and gum disease starts. Interdental brushes or floss once a day makes a measurable difference — we'll show you the right size and technique at your hygiene visit.

Bring your child when their first teeth appear, or by their first birthday. Early visits are short, friendly and free of treatment — the goal is simply that the practice feels like a normal, safe place.

Yes — NHS dental treatment is free for everyone under 18 (and under 19 in full-time education). That includes check-ups, fluoride varnish, fissure sealants and any clinically necessary treatment.

Fissure sealants are a thin protective coating painted onto the grooves of back teeth to stop decay taking hold. We typically recommend them when adult molars come through, especially if your child is at higher risk of decay.

Keep your own language positive, avoid words like 'hurt' or 'needle', and let us know when you book. We're experienced with anxious children: nothing happens without their agreement, and early visits can be a simple ride in the chair and a sticker.

Most children start losing baby teeth around age 6, and the process continues until around age 12. If an adult tooth is coming through behind a baby tooth that isn't loose, or a tooth is lost very early, mention it at the next check-up.

No — with modern local anaesthetic, root canal treatment should feel no worse than having a filling. The severe pain people associate with it is the infection that comes before; the treatment is what takes that pain away.

Lingering pain to hot or cold, pain when biting, a darkening tooth, or a pimple-like swelling on the gum are classic signs of a dying or infected nerve. An X-ray and some simple tests at your appointment confirm it.

A filling repairs a small to moderate area of damage directly in the chair. A crown is a custom-made ceramic cap that covers and protects the whole tooth — we recommend one when a tooth is too heavily filled or cracked for a filling to hold reliably.

A well-made ceramic crown typically lasts 10–15 years, and many last far longer with good hygiene and regular reviews. Grinding your teeth at night shortens their life — we'll often make a protective night guard.

Modern composite (white) fillings are strong, bond to the tooth and look completely natural. For very large restorations on back teeth, a crown or onlay is sometimes the more durable option — we'll talk you through the trade-offs.

A crack without pain is urgent but not an emergency — book to be seen within a few days and avoid chewing on that side. A crack with sharp pain, bleeding, or a piece that has come away needs a same-day call to us on 0121 348 8800.

Absolutely not. We see patients returning after 5, 10 or 20 years away every single week, and our only reaction is that we're glad you came. The first visit is a conversation and an examination — nothing else happens unless you ask.

Sedation is not available as part of NHS treatment at Cadbury Dental. Private sedation may be available depending on the clinician and treatment planned. Tell us about your anxiety when you book so we can discuss the appropriate options.

You stay in control throughout. We agree a stop signal — usually raising your hand — and the moment you use it, everything stops. Breaks are normal and expected, not an inconvenience.

Yes. We numb the gum with a topical gel before any injection, deliver the anaesthetic slowly (which is what actually makes it comfortable), and never rush. Most nervous patients tell us afterwards it was far easier than they feared.

Of course — a friend or family member is welcome to sit in with you. Many anxious patients find it helps, especially at the first visit.

Severe pain that painkillers don't touch, facial swelling, a knocked-out or broken tooth, uncontrolled bleeding, or trauma to the mouth all count. Mild sensitivity or a lost filling without pain is urgent but can usually wait a day or two.

Hold it by the crown (not the root), rinse briefly in milk or saliva without scrubbing, and try to place it back in the socket — or store it in milk. Then call us immediately on 0121 348 8800: a tooth replanted within 30–60 minutes has the best chance of surviving.

Yes — we keep space in the diary for urgent problems and always try to see registered patients in pain the same day. Call as early in the morning as you can.

For severe swelling, uncontrolled bleeding or difficulty breathing, call 999 or go to A&E. For urgent dental pain out of hours, call NHS 111, who can direct you to an emergency dental service.

Keep the area clean, avoid chewing on that side, and book to be seen within a few days. If a crown has come off, keep it safe — it can sometimes be re-cemented. Pharmacy temporary filling kits are a reasonable short-term stopgap.

Not when they're designed properly. We plan shade, shape and proportion around your face so the result looks natural — most patients' friends simply notice they look well.

Porcelain veneers typically last 10–15 years with good care and regular reviews. We use minimal-preparation techniques wherever possible to protect your natural teeth.

Often yes. Whitening or alignment first can reduce how much cosmetic work you need, and existing crowns or veneers don't change shade with whitening — so we plan in that order.

Most patients wear their custom trays nightly for around two weeks. Results typically last one to three years depending on diet and habits, and top-up gel keeps your shade fresh.

No — professional whitening used as directed does not damage enamel. Poorly fitted salon or DIY kits are the ones that can harm gums and teeth, which is why whitening should always start with a dental check.