What is Dental Anxiety?

Twenty-two percent of Americans avoid going to the dentist for a variety of reasons, one of which is fear of the dentist, also known as dentophobia. This condition affects more people than those who fear flying in an airplane (aerophobia) or those who fear confined spaces (claustrophobia). At Smile Solutions, we know that way too many Americans do not visit the dentist, simply because of their fear of the dental experience. This is why we have gone to great lengths to provide a fear-free experience.

Alleviating Dentophobia

At Smile Solutions, we see dentophobia becoming a thing of the past. We have worked hard to create a high success rate, when it comes to presenting a relaxing environment, with multi-layered, calming services that begin at our front door, where you will be:

• met by one of our caring staff members who will greet you, learn your name and work to understand your goals, so we can provide the best shared experience you’ve been looking for
• comfortably seated in our relaxing environment, specifically designed to relax your senses and feelings while providing safety, which happens to be one of the biggest triggers of fear and anxiety
• fitted with our high quality stereo headphones, if you desire, to help you find your specific mental place of relaxation offered one of our soft blankets to help provide you with the comfort you desire
• offered one of our state-of-the-art sedation therapies to help you relax while allowing you to respond to physical stimulation and verbal commands
• if necessary, one of our gentle injections

Sedation Therapy Eliminates Dentophobia

Sedation therapy, also known as “sleep therapy” is highly effective at eliminating dentophobia. At Smile Solutions, we have several different forms to fit each individual patient’s needs:

• oral sedation. This usually involves taking a pill, or a liquid, through your mouth an hour before your appointment. Triazolam is typically the sedation used because of its rapid onset and limited time of effectiveness.
• inhalation sedation. Also known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide is combined with oxygen and inhaled through your nose. This form of sedation therapy leaves you conscious while alleviating pain, and a more relaxing state of awareness during your procedure. Safe to use, the effects of nitrous oxide are eliminated the moment the inhalation stops.
• intravenous sedation (IV). With IV therapy, sedatives are administered directly into the bloodstream for the deepest levels of sedation therapy without using anesthesia.

Our staff at Smile Solutions is continually updated and educated regarding the latest and greatest in oral hygiene, dental procedures and our sedation therapy program because of our goal to assist you in having the look you’ve always wanted, along with the maximum in quality dental health, all within the comforts you seek to have.

Contact Smile Solutions today at (405) 364-7385 and let us help you enjoy your next dental experience so much that you’ll want to come back for more.