Understanding Dental Anxiety
Dental anxiety refers to the experience of fear, anxiety, or stress that individuals may feel when visiting the dentist’s office. These feelings can be triggered by various factors such as needles, drills, or simply being in a dental setting. Dental anxiety and phobia can often lead individuals to postpone or completely avoid seeking necessary dental treatment.
Patients with dental anxiety should be identified as soon as possible so that the dentist may address the patient’s fears properly before any dental work is done. The existence of anxiety, fear, or phobia is often evident in the first encounter between the dentist and the patient.
Based on the results of interviews and self-reporting on fear and anxiety scales, as well as objective assessments of blood pressure, pulse rate, pulse oximetry, finger temperature, and galvanic skin response, individuals can be clinically classified as having:
- Mild dental anxiety
- Moderate dental anxiety
- High dental anxiety
- Dental phobia
The patient’s unique characteristics and level of anxiety all have a role in determining the best course of action for managing dental anxiety. In many cases, pharmaceutical solutions through sedation dentistry can provide significant relief during dental treatment.
What Is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation offers a valuable solution for patients who experience dental anxiety or phobia, providing them with an option to relax and feel comfortable during their dental procedures. Sedation dentistry involves the carefully planned application of sedation methods during dental procedures, from mild sedation to general anesthesia.
There are various methods available for administering sedation, which are tailored to the patient’s overall health and desired level of relaxation. Some of these include:
- Oral sedation
- Nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”)
- Intravenous (IV) sedation
- General anesthesia
Top-Rated Sedation Dentistry in New York, NY
Board-certified dentist-anesthesiologist Dr. Louis Siegelman and his dental team are top-rated providers of the most advanced and comfortable sedation dentistry in New York, NY.
To see how you might benefit from this treatment, schedule an appointment today by calling (212) 974-8737.
