dental phobia - woman afraid of dental procedure

How Facing Dental Phobia Helps Repair Long Term Oral Problems

Author: PV Smiles Reem Kidess | Posted on with comments

dental phobia Few people look forward to spending time in the dentist’s chair. Did you know that 5-8% of people avoid going to the dentist out of fear? Dental phobia is a more serious condition than dental anxiety. This leaves people panic stricken and terrified of dental care. Sometimes people will suffer in silence with mouth pain for years rather than seeking help from a dentist.

Facing Your Dental Phobia

Facing dental phobia or even a simple dental anxiety can be very challenging. Not facing your fear can significantly harm your overall health. Common side effects are painful cavities, gum disease, tooth extraction, teeth misalignment, and unsightly discoloration. Breaking down of tooth structure does not only affect that one tooth, it affects the entire balance of function. That can lead to premature damage or loss to nearby teeth, not to mention an unappealing smile.

3 Easy Steps

  1. Friendly relaxing environment: Look for a dentist who has built their practice around providing the most comfortable dental experience for everyone, especially for people with dental anxiety and dental phobia. How to check for this? When you first walk in and you should feel it right away.
    • Entering the office should feel like a spa
    • Treatment rooms scenic views i.e. mountains
    • Treatment rooms include overhead TV for entertainment (and distraction)
    • Noise cancellation headphones to block out all other noises other than music/entertainment
    • Comfortable massaging chairs
  1. Sedation to make it painless: Resolving long term dental problems can be painless with the use of sedation. Let your dentist know your concerns and what you expect. Laughing gas can make more routine procedures easy; IV sedation can help with more invasive procedures. Facing dental phobia while you’re sleeping is the way to go.
  1. High Tech Solutions to make your dental care easier and often faster.
    • CEREC Crowns®: It’s now possible to get crowns, veneers, and inlays made the same day you need them, with no goop impressions, but rather a fully digital impression.
    • Intraoral Camera: An intraoral camera is a video camera in a pen. This allows the dentist to magnify areas of concern and helps with diagnosis.
    • VelScope: This new form of technology is effectively used to detect early forms of cancer or disease during an oral cancer screening.
    • Lasers: soft and hard tissue lasers to minimize surgical intervention and allow for accelerated healing.
    • Cone Beam CT: 3D imaging for enhanced diagnosis and treatment planning of implants, airway issues, wisdom teeth extractions, to name a few.

We have built a practice around creating the most comfortable environment for dentistry and dental phobes. With state-of-the-art technology, a professional and caring team, and sedation options for anyone, a painless dental visit is possible. To learn more about resolving long term dental problems and facing dental fear.