Relaxation Dentistry Can Calm Dental Fears
They call it odontophobia, but it’s basically a big word that describes a much bigger fear: fear of the dentist. Believe it or not, some degree of odontophobia is totally normal and even common. In fact, it is estimated that upwards of 75 percent of all American adults have some degree of odontophobia, whether it be mild or severe. But while it is normal to experience some anxiety before your dental appointment, it shouldn’t get in the way of your oral health.
Thankfully, Dr. Mazhari isn’t scary, and his office provides many solutions to calm your dental fears and anxieties. It’s called “relaxation dentistry,” and it’s just one way we work to make your dental experience as comfortable as possible.
What Is Relaxation Dentistry?
Relaxation dentistry is our way of making you feel comfortable from the moment you set foot in Dr. Mazhari’s office. With a variety of techniques, from talking through your anxiety to using full sedation, we aim to reduce your dental fears and make the entire process as stress-free as possible.
What can you expect from your relaxation dentistry experience?
Part of the fear of dentistry is often fear of the unknown. Knowing what to expect from your dental appointment can go a long way to allay some of the stress and anxiety behind your exam. Here’s some of what you can expect from Dr. Mazhari to help reduce your dental fears.
- Dr. Mazhari will meet with you and discuss your treatment plan for the day, so you know exactly what will be done and how it will be achieved.
- If you do have dental fears, he will discuss with you the root of your fears. Did you have a bad experience with a previous dentist? Are you afraid of the sound of drills or that you will need a needle? Talking it through can often help with whatever is causing your anxiety.
- Dr. Mazhari offers several sedation options, including nitrous oxide, which creates a calm, relaxed feeling without causing you to lose consciousness. In fact, you can return to your normal day after a brief recovery period in Dr. Mazhari’s office – typically after just five to 10 minutes.
Anesthesia is another option. Dr. Mazhari will work with a local anesthetist to put you into a peaceful sleep while he performs your procedure. You will awake to find your dental procedure complete – and you’ll have no memory of the procedure at all!
As you can see, we take your dental anxiety very seriously and want to work with you to calm your fears and treat your teeth and gums. If you have dental anxiety, let our staff know when making your appointment so we can make preparations to assist you in any way possible. To schedule your appointment with Dr. Mazhari, please contact the office at (703) 212-9622.