Sedation Dentistry for the Fearful

Dental fear is often caused by bad past dental experiences, severe gag reflexes, fear of needles or the painful sound of the dental drill.

Someone with a dental phobia will avoid dental care at all costs until either a physical problem or the psychological burden of the phobia becomes overwhelming.

Also, some people who've never had a bad experience with a dentist or a dental procedure can develop dental fear or phobia - this is usually the result of vicarious learning (that is, scare-stories or media portrayal). Dental fear may not have even been caused by a particularly painful encounter. It can be an inherently learned behavior much like fear of snakes, heights, lightning and sharp objects (such as needles).

"Dental phobia" is simply a useful short-hand term for "terror at the thought of dentists and/or dentistry and/or anything dental-related". Some people feel that their fear is justified and rational, while others feel they're being silly for getting so upset over something which "everyone else" seems to have no problem with. "Dental Phobia" is really an umbrella term which covers a wide range of different fears.

There can be other causes as well, such as insensitive remarks by a dentist, or overhearing other people's horror stories of visits to the “psycho dentist”. In fact, insensitive remarks and the intense feelings of humiliation they provoke are one of the main factors which can cause or contribute to a dental phobia.

Dental phobia can have wide-ranging consequences on a person's life. Not only does their dental health suffer, but dental phobia may lead to anxiety and depression. Laughing out loud is out of the question - too hard to hide one's teeth... Depending on how obvious the damage is, the individual may avoid meeting people due to embarrassment over their teeth, or not be able to take on jobs which involve extensive contact with the public. Loss of self-esteem over not being able to do something as "simple" as going to a dentist and intense feelings of guilt over not having looked after one's teeth properly are also very common. Dental phobia sufferers may also avoid doctors for fear that they might want to have a look at their tongue or throat and suggest that a visit to a dentist might not go amiss...

In terms of your dental health and overall well-being, this can have serious ramifications. Besides chronically infected gums and teeth which can affect your medical status, your ability to chew and digest can be seriously compromised. Without healthy gums and teeth, your speech can be affected as well. Your self confidence can be compromised if you are insecure about your breath and smile. This can lead to serious limitations in both your social and business environments.

If you suffer from dental phobia, you'll be inclined to think that nobody else feels the way you do...but on the contrary it has been reliably reported that 50% of the American population does not seek regular dental care. An estimated 9-15% of all Americans avoid much needed care due to anxiety and fear surrounding the dental experience. This translates to some 30 - 40 million people so afraid of dental treatment that they avoid it altogether.

So no matter how terrified you are, you're not alone! Finally there is help!

As many of our patients can attest, dental phobia is a paralyzing fear that keeps people from obtaining regular dental care. Patients can be so afraid of dental treatment that they avoid it altogether.

If you or someone you love has a dental phobia, you know how shame and embarrassment about one's teeth and smile can dramatically affect a person's quality-of-life, social life and self-esteem. When you finally gather the inner courage to make a call to a dentist, you must be greeted by dental professionals who understand the very real nature of your fears.

Our team supports your unique needs as a phobic patient from the moment you make the first call. We ask about your dental history, your particular concerns, and any history of trauma to the mouth. We listen to your story and appreciate the magnitude of your fear. We then discuss the easiest and safest way to bring you the comfort and care you need.

We design a treatment plan in which all treatment (in most cases) can be completed in one comprehensive visit using optimal sedation options. There are different levels of sedation available to you in our office. There is nitrous oxide analgesia, oral sedation and intravenous sedation (I. V. sedation). If you choose the option of intravenous sedation your sedation/anesthesia is administered and monitored by Dr. Grizzaffi therefore eliminating the costly expense of having to have your treatment carried out in an operating room or same day surgical care facility.