If you experience a certain degree of fear and anxiety when going to the dentist, you are not alone. It is estimated that 8 out of 10 adults experience some degree of dental fear and anxiety. Many of these adults try to hide and mask their fear during their dental experience due to feeling of shame and embarrassment. Approximately 10% of these adults experience a severe degree of fear which is referred to as dental phobia.
Patients with dental phobia would go to extreme measures to avoid going to the dentist. Some example include: enduring dental infections, pain, inability to chew food, avoiding smiling or showing teeth and even compromising overall health. If mild to moderate dental anxiety is not treated it may develop to a severe form of dental phobia, simply by experiencing another traumatic dental visit.
In our sedation dentistry center, we have been treating patients with dental fear and anxiety for over a decade. We have developed a process that gradually introduces fearful dental patients to dentistry. This approach focuses more on the anxiety factor and the patient, rather than just their teeth. When you visit our offices you will notice that every element of a traditional dental office atmosphere have been eliminated and replaced with a relaxing spa like ambiance, to help reduce anxiety and fear. The primary focus of your initial visit is to determine the degree of fear and anxiety you may have, and plan an appropriate dental anxiety treatment approach. Some patients may feel comfortable having a dental exam during the first visit, while others just want to meet us. When it comes to dental fear, we have thought of everything. Also, we offer complimentary IV sedation for your first treatment appointment. We welcome you to call us for a complimentary consultation to begin your journey toward better health and a confident smile. This section talks about our philosophy when it comes to dental anxiety, fears and phobias, as well as our treatment approach. Feel free to read on, or Call 503-719-7759 to discuss your situation.