How To Overcome Dental Anxiety?

4 Ways of Coping with Dental Anxiety

At Aesthetic Dental Center of Dover, NJ, our goal is to ensure that each and every patient receives outstanding dental care in a safe and comfortable environment free from worry and anxiety. At the same time, we recognize that a significant number of patients experience anxiety when in a dental setting, often without outwardly expressing it. We don't want anyone to have a negative experience at our dental practice, so we put together this guide to help you deal with anxiety, and hopefully completely eliminate it.

1. Conscious Oral Sedation

Conscious oral sedation may involve a range of things, but commonly comprises taking an oral medication prior to your procedure. This should ensure that you are completely relaxed and comfortable during your visit, or it may place you into a semi-conscious state, depending upon your preferences.

Patients who opt for the second choice normally have little to no memory of their dental appointment, so you must have someone on hand to provide transportation for you in this situation.

2. IV Sedation

IV sedation involves delivering medication intravenously to ensure that the patient is completely asleep during their procedure. Of course, some patients have dental anxiety related to needles, so this might not be an option for them.

One way of delivering IV sedation for those who fear needles is to combine it with the use of oral sedation beforehand to ensure that they are completely calm and comfortable. If you go this route, you would simply comfortably drift off to sleep and awaken when everything is over, having no memory of what occurred.

3. Nitrous Oxide

When it comes to medical intervention, you also have the choice of nitrous oxide. Commonly known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide does not actually make you laugh. This odorless gas will calm and relax you, working wonders in relieving anxiety and tension.

The gas itself works quickly, and is safe and short-lived. We administer it by placing a breathing mask over your nose while you breathe normally. The effects kick in within about 30 seconds, and the delivery can be increased or decreased until you reach your desired comfort level.

Nitrous oxide can be used by itself or in combination with different types of oral sedation.

4. You Are in Control

As a patient, it is important to understand that you are in control at all times. If you are uncomfortable at any time during your procedure, you can arrange beforehand to give a hand signal to stop the procedure at any time. Many patients find that simply being aware that they have this level of control eases any anxiety that they would normally experience.

Contact Us

Dental anxiety is an extremely common feeling that your dental team deals with on a regular basis. If this type of anxiety is preventing you from receiving dental care, we hope that you will reach out to us so that we can offer suggestions in coping with this very common problem so that you do not put off needed dental care.

Please contact the office of  Aesthetic Dental Center of Dover, NJ to receive more information about coping with dental anxiety or to schedule an appointment or consultation.