Are you Fearful About Dental Implants or Dental Visits?
I think it is safe to say there is a common and overwhelming fear of the dental office. It can be a common cause of anxiety as people visualize a drill-wielding man in a white coat just waiting to cause pain and remove teeth. Although this could not be further from the truth with Dr. Versman, Dr. Heller, and Dr. Beckman here at Periodontal Associates, it is pleasing to know there are some steps being taken to disprove this nightmare and increase the frequency of dental appointments to help with dental maintenance and prevent the need for dental implants. Researchers at Sydney University claim that psychologists have helped to reverse decay in many patients. Professor Wendell Evans, researcher on reversing tooth decay, created this relationship with psychologists to promote preventive dental care. The dean of Sydney University's Faculty of Dentistry, Professor Chris Peck, said patients in the new caries management program would undergo behavioral interviewing. "We use psychologists to change an individual's behavior to get them to modify diet and to use the best preventive approaches. It is not one appointment, but multiple appointments to reinforce those changes."
Although this study is going on in Australia, Dr. Versman, Heller, and Beckman have great ways to eliminate fears for good in the Denver – Aurora, CO area. Here are a couple of ways:
1. Talk to the dentist – The dentist is not a mind reader. Though it can be hard to talk about irrational fears with a stranger, Dr. Versman, Heller, and Beckman take extra precautions during visits if fears and anxiety are communicated - just ask our patients!
2. Bring a portable music player – Music acts as a relaxant and also drowns out any fear-producing noises. Listening to calming music throughout the appointment will help to reduce anxiety. (Periodontal Associates usually has great jams playing in every room!)
3. Agree on a signal – Many people are afraid that the dentist will not know they are in significant pain during the appointment, and will carry on the procedure regardless. The best way to solve this is to agree on a “stop” hand signal with the dentist. Both parties can easily understand signals like raising the hand or tapping on the chair.
4. Spray the throat – Throat sprays (for example, Vicks® Chloraseptic® Throat Spray) can actually control the gag reflex. Two or three sprays will usually keep the reflex under control for about an hour.
5. Take a mirror – Not being able to see what is happening can increase anxiety and make the imagination run wild. Although Dr. Versman, Heller, and Beckman are great at walking you through the procedure before it even begins.
6. Sedation – If there is no other way to cope, sedation offers an excellent option for many people. There are several types of sedation, but the general premise behind them is the same: the patient regains their faculties after dental implant or treatment is complete.
7. Ask about alternatives – Advances in technology mean that dental microsurgery is now an option. Lasers can be used to prepare teeth for fillings, whiten teeth and remove staining. Discuss all the options with the dentist and decide on one that is effective and produces minimal anxiety.
Go ahead, give us a call at (303) 755-4500. We are located in the Denver metro area, specifically Aurora. We cannot wait to end your apprehensions about dentures, implants, gum grafting, oral reconstruction, or even teeth cleaning!
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