Ways to Conquer Dentophobia
At Ablantis Dental, we understand that many patients deal with a fear of the dentist, also known as dentophobia. It is a real affliction and can impact patients of all ages. This unwarranted, exaggerated fear of obtaining dental care can cause patients to feel nervous, anxious, or even avoid their routine dental visits or necessary dental work. Dr. Claudia B. Cortadi is here to help patients in the Encinitas, California area to educate them on their options for reducing or even eliminating dentophobia and any associated fears.
How do I know if I have dental phobias?
Below are some situations in which we might determine a patient has dental fears and may benefit from sedation options:
- Difficulty sitting still in the chair
- Hypersensitive teeth
- Fear of pain or discomfort
- Previous experience of poor or painful dental care
- Overly responsive gag reflex
- Complex or extended dental procedures
- Obtaining more than one service during a single appointment
- Fear that keeps you from scheduling dental visits
- Low pain threshold
- Anxiety before and during dental visits
If you are dealing with any of the above issues, we welcome you to be open and honest with our staff about your dental anxieties. This allows us to address them and ensure you have a positive experience at the dental office each time you visit!
How common is dental phobia?
Approximately three out of four adults in the United States have some degree of dental fear, ranging from mild nervousness to severe anxiety. About 5% to 10% of patients may even avoid scheduling dental visits because they are so fearful of sitting in the dental chair. Some patients might have had a negative experience at the dentist in the past, which gives them a fear of pain and discomfort, while others might have anxiety that does not have an obvious or relatable source. It is common for patients also to experience fear of the sights and sounds in the dental office, such as the sound of the dentist’s drill or the presence of needles for anesthetics. At Ablantis Dental, we are here to help. We provide dental sedation options for patients to consider.
How can sedation dentistry help?
Claudia B. Cortadi evaluates patients during their initial consultation appointment to determine what upcoming dental work might be required. She can then discuss with patients the level of fear or anxiety they experience and consider any upcoming dental work that needs to be completed. Patients with mild fears may benefit from lighter sedation options such as nitrous oxide, sometimes referred to as “laughing gas.” Those with more severe anxieties may want to ask about oral conscious sedation. This stronger sedative can allow patients to get necessary dental work done while relaxed and comfortable from start to finish. Patients with a simple cleaning may benefit from laughing gas, while those who need extensive dental work that might require hours in the dentist’s chair may be better suited for oral conscious sedation instead. We work with patients to choose the treatment that gives them the comfort level they desire.
Learn more about addressing dental phobia
If you have a fear of the dentist, Encinitas, CA area dentist, Dr. Claudia B. Cortadi, can ensure that you have a positive experience the next time you visit the dental chair! Her facility is located at 351 Santa Fe Drive, Suite #110, and accepts new and returning patients. Call (760) 334-0128 today to request an appointment with our team and find out more about the advantages of sedation dentistry to calm and relax you during your next cleaning and examination!
