Helping nervous patients feel at ease

You are in good company

Dental anxiety is one of the most common fears there is. Around one adult in three is nervous of the dentist, and a good proportion of those avoid going altogether. It is usually rooted in a past experience, often years ago, and it is not a character flaw. We never judge how long it has been or what brought you in; we are simply glad you came.

Why Invisalign is often the easiest place to start

Much of what people dread about dental treatment is absent from Invisalign. Clear aligner treatment does not usually involve injections or drilling. Some plans need small tooth-coloured attachments, or gentle polishing between certain teeth to make space, and Louise explains exactly what yours involves before anything is done. The scan is a small wand moved around your teeth for a few minutes; no putty, no gagging. Fitting attachments is not usually painful. The aligners themselves you put in and take out at home. For many anxious patients, a course of Invisalign is the first dental treatment in years that has not hurt, and it rebuilds trust for everything else.

How we help

• The setting. Omnia Dental Spa was designed to feel nothing like a clinic: a calm lounge, a conservatory, a garden, quiet treatment rooms with no instruments on show.
• Time to talk first. Your consultation is a conversation with Louise before anything else. If you would rather not have an examination on that visit, say so, and we will simply talk.
• An unhurried pace. We explain everything before we do it and check in as we go. Nothing happens without you knowing what it is and why.
• A signal to stop. Raise a hand at any point and we pause. You are in control throughout.
• Fewer visits. Dental Monitoring means much of the checking happens from your phone at home, so there are fewer appointments to feel anxious about.

Things you can do

Tell us you are nervous when you book; it helps us plan a gentle first visit and give you a longer appointment. Morning appointments mean less time to dwell on it. Bring someone with you if that feels reassuring; they are welcome in the room. Bring headphones. Ask as many questions as you like, before and during. And if you need to cancel because it is too much that day, call us and we will rebook without any fuss.

If you have been away from the dentist for years

It is common for people to come to us for Invisalign having not seen a dentist in a long time, and sometimes the examination finds gum inflammation or a cavity that needs attention first. That is not a problem and nobody will lecture you. It is treated gently at Omnia Dental Spa, quoted separately and without pressure, and then the Invisalign plan goes ahead on a healthy foundation.

Sedation

Invisalign very rarely needs it, because nothing involved is painful. If dental treatment beyond Invisalign is needed and you feel you could not manage it awake, Omnia Dental Spa can discuss options with you.

Questions people ask

Does Invisalign hurt?

Usually not much. New aligners feel tight for a day or two, and most people describe it as pressure rather than pain. Invisalign does not usually involve injections or drilling.

Do I have to have an examination at the first visit?

No. If you would rather just talk to Louise first, that is fine. The examination can wait for a second visit.

Can I bring someone with me?

Yes, at every appointment if you like.

What if I have not been to a dentist for years?

Many of our Invisalign patients have not. Anything that needs attention first is treated gently and without judgement.

Is the scan uncomfortable?

No. The iTero wand is small and the scan takes a few minutes. There is no putty and nothing to gag on.