Still Smiling

If you've read my blog before or even know me in person, you'll know I have an extreme phobia of going to the dentist. Everything about it - from the smell to the sounds to the waiting area - gives me the chills thinking about it and I'm not sure I'll ever fully get out of that mentality.

So, when I made an appointment to visit David and the crew at David McConville Orthodontics in Quayside, Sligo, I spent most of the day unable to concentrate at work. Of course, David McConville is an extremely popular orthodontist and I'd heard rave reviews about them, but I still couldn't quite relax. Until I went there.

The first thing I noticed (after realising how unfit I am from walking up the stairs) was the fact it didn't look like a dentist. By the front door, a wall was covered in pictures of photogenic people with perfectly straight smiles - all patients of David McConville. The waiting area had the appearance of a beauty salon or a posh hotel reception. It was bright and airy with glossy black tiles and velvety grey sofas. Now, I may be shallow, but I do base businesses on their appearances first off, and this definitely didn't disappoint. I actually feel more relaxed if I walk into a place and it has nice décor. I sank into the plush sofa while I waited and read a leaflet about Invisalign to weigh my options up.

No real teeth were harmed in the making of these models.

Ever since I can remember, I've had a fixation on how my teeth look. I sucked my thumb excessively as a child and this led to bad overcrowding and misalignment of my teeth. I never smile with my teeth, if I laugh or yawn I cover my mouth, and I feel self conscious about them in general. I envy all my friends who have nice straight teeth and can smile without giving it a second thought and it was getting me down - so I decided now was the time to do something about it.

Although my stomach lurched when my name was called, I took a deep breath and walked into the treatment room. I was immediately greeted by David and he invited me to sit on the black leather dentist chair. I was pleasantly surprised when I did - not only was it the comfiest dentist chair I've ever sat in, it also massaged my back. Dentistry had never felt this comfortable before! Bonus points for the fact Ellie Goulding was playing in the background - basically my dream dentist experience (all that was missing was Jamie Dornan feeding me strawberries but I'll let them off for that one). I know those may be little things to most of you, but if you have dental fear you'll know it's so important to feel comfortable and I think the right setting is vital for this.

By this point I'd relaxed considerably and David started to examine my teeth. He got me to bite and open my mouth a few times to determine how my teeth were aligned. He gave me a mirror so I could see what he was doing which I appreciated a lot as I felt more in control with the whole experience - usually when you're in the dentist chair you feel a loss of control, this was not the case here. After a quick look he told me my teeth were misaligned - the bottom ones jut out under the top when I bite down, which isn't right. Apparently this is a problem with how my jaw is shaped and would have to be corrected with surgery if I needed it done (thankfully he said it wouldn't be too big of a problem). I knew something was wrong with my face all this time, thanks mum.

He explained that because of the overcrowding on top I'd need to have 2 teeth taken out, which I was surprisingly ok with. He showed me the three choices I had - steel brackets, ceramic brackets or Invisalign. As is the same with everything, there are pros and cons to each. The brackets are quicker but cosmetically they don't look as good as the Invisalign which is barely noticeable. Invisalign takes slightly longer to work but you can take them on and off to eat and brush your teeth, which is a big plus as I was worried about having difficulty brushing with braces. To be perfectly honest, cosmetically it wouldn't make a huge difference to me if I got train tracks or Invisalign as either way my teeth would be hugely improved.

Having a poke around!

We talked a bit more about the differences between the choices and how I'd need to have any dental work done before I get the braces - otherwise, as he said, it'd be like putting the cart before the donkey, and as I said, it'd be like putting the roof on before building the house! So that's the next step before I can continue on my journey to being able to smile and think nothing of it.

I entered the orthodontist wondering if I could just make a homemade brace myself out of a rubber band and some superglue and left feeling relaxed and optimistic. And for me to be comfortable with something like this is a big achievement.

I'll be sure to keep you updated on the whole braces progress and fingers (and teeth) crossed it goes well - but with David McConville on the case I have no doubt it will.

David McConville are on Facebook here.