Gentle Dentistry

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Does dental anxiety or fear of the dentist prevent you from optimizing and maintaining your oral health? Anxiety causes many people to avoid routine visits to their dentist, which has a negative impact on their overall dental health by limiting chances of prevention and early detection.

To successfully accommodate those patients who experience increased anxiety when visiting the dentist, we employ various proven techniques to ease your fears. We believe in open communication about the fears you experience. Many times we learn that dental anxiety is a result of a bad dental experience. Therefore, the most important step to overcoming dental anxiety is finding a dentist you feel you can trust.

A dentist should be:

  • Highly competent
  • Patient
  • Caring
  • Nurturing
  • Unintimidating
  • Willing to answer any question you might have
  • Willing to educate you on your treatment

Creating a good partnership between you and your dentist will limit your anxiety. Articulate your fears to us so that our dentist is able to create a treatment plan with a special understanding of your individual fears. Our dentist will take time to explain to you each procedure he plans to do and describe how it may feel. You will know exactly what to expect, with no surprises. We will move at your pace, with no pressure to continue beyond what you are ready to handle.

Here are a few other tips that may help to limit anxiety:

  • Bring a trusted friend or loved one along for support.
  • Do not schedule your dental appointment on a day when you know other major stressors will be present. (Example: important business meeting)
  • Use guided imagery (think of a happy, pleasant experience) during the procedure.
  • Use iPods, headphones or virtual reality goggles if these are helpful to you.

With a good dentist-patient relationship and good communication, dental anxiety can be overcome. We are committed to making you feel comfortable discussing your anxieties, and you can be confident that we will do everything possible to reduce your anxiety.

General Anesthesia

General anesthesia is the term for anesthesia that puts a patient completely to sleep during a medical procedure. The general anesthesia can be applied by injection. General anesthesia is very safe under trained supervision, but you should notify us of any medications you are taking in addition to any food or drug allergies you may have. We will provide you with a comprehensive set of instructions to follow before, during and after your procedure with general anesthesia.