Different Methods To Help Make Dental Treatment More Manageable For Those With Dental Phobia

Unfortunately, dental phobia is one of the most common phobias. Lying in the dental chair with a masked figure hovering over you, doing procedures that can be uncomfortable in a very sensitive and personal part of one’s body – it’s no wonder that many people find dentistry to be a scary experience. One of the most common fears is the sound of the drill. But with pain-free dentistry techniques, you don’t have to worry about that. The latest advancements in pain-free dentistry will help make anyone’s visit to the dentist easier and more comfortable than ever before.

Different Techniques To Help Make Dental Treatment More Manageable

General Anesthesia 

General anesthesia can be very helpful for patients who are severely anxious about dental procedures. The patient is put to sleep and is entirely unconscious during the whole procedure. The benefit is that anxious patients don’t need to hear, feel or see anything to do with their dental procedure. However, the downside is that not all dental procedures can be performed well on an unconscious patient, plus the cost of general anesthesia adds a significant cost to the dental bill.  

Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide sedation has become a popular choice for many dental patients. It is a safe, effective, and calming way to experience dentistry. Here are some of the benefits of nitrous oxide sedation:

• You remain conscious and in control
• You can breathe on your own
• You can communicate with the dentist at all times
• The gas makes you feel pleasantly relaxed and happy
• The gas wears off as soon as we stop administering it so patients are able to drive themselves after the appointment

Nitrous oxide is an option we have available at Whitehorse Dental. It’s a great option for those dental phobics who just need something to take the edge off.

Oral Sedation

Dental anxiety does seem to be very common and is directly related to poorer oral health outcomes. Dental sedation administered via a tablet taken orally can be a great option for those with dental anxiety, as it can help them relax and feel more comfortable during their visit. In this type of dentistry, a small pill is taken before the appointment that helps you relax and feel sleepy during a dental procedure. After the procedure, you may not even remember things about the dental visit. Once your procedure is complete, it takes a few hours for the sedative effect of the pill to wear off. Patients who choose this option will need to be accompanied by a carer and can not drive themselves before or after the appointment.

Benefits of These Different Techniques

Relationships With Dentists Improve

Patients are more likely to return for preventive care and treatment when they’re not anxious about their visit. Fear of dental procedures is one of the most common phobias and is estimated to affect approximately one in six Australian adults and about one in ten children. This anxiety can have serious repercussions in terms of an individual’s oral health, and it is considered to be a significant barrier to dental attendance resulting in poor attendance.

Patients Are More Likely to Accept Treatments

There are many benefits of using some sort of sedation during dental treatment.  From a professional standpoint, it can mean more effective and efficient treatment as the patient is relaxed during the procedure. From a patient standpoint, there are several reasons why an appointment with a pain-free dentist is preferable. First and foremost, patients are more likely to accept treatments when they are pain-free. This is especially important when it comes to dental work such as fillings, root canals, and crowns. In addition, patients who experience pain during dental procedures are more likely to avoid future dental visits.

There Are Many Options When It Comes to Pain-Free Dentistry

Fortunately, there are many pain-free dentistry options available in general. Dentists understand that many people are fearful of dental visits and offer various ways to make the experience more comfortable. 

Summary 

Most patients want to have a positive experience when they go to the dentist. In this article, we discuss the different methods that can help make dental treatment more manageable for those with dental phobia. 

If you’re looking for a dentist who can provide you with a pain-free experience, book an appointment today! We would be happy to discuss our services with you.