Fear of the dentist is a huge problem in the United States. While as
many as four out of five Americans admit being afraid of the dentist, it
is estimated that one in seven Americans never get any dental treatment
at all because of dental phobia. Sedation dentistry is a pain-free
option.
“Sedation dentistry actually comes in two forms”
Three Types Of Dental Fear
There are three different types of dental fear that affect
Americans and contribute to the lack of dental care: Dental anxiety,
dental fear and dental phobia.
Dental anxiety is reacting to an unknown danger. Up to 75% of
Americans have at least some form of dental anxiety related to going to
the dentist. It’s caused by having a dental procedure they’ve never
experienced before.
Dental fear is reacting to a known danger such as a dental
procedure that they’ve had done before and experienced either an
uncaring dentist, excessive pain, or been told dental horror stories by
family or friends.
Dental phobia is essentially an “extreme” version of dental fear.
Where people with dental fear will experience their fear as they
approach the dental office or enter the treatment room, dental phobia
can cause people to experience an extreme “fight-or-flight” physical
response just to the mention of a dentist or dental procedure.
Help For Those Suffering with Dental Phobia and Dental Fear
While the most extreme cases of dental phobia require special
treatment because they cannot bring themselves to even approach a dental
office, there is an excellent option for those fears.
Sedation Dentistry
According to Dr. Shamblott of Shamblott Family Dentistry in
Hopkins, Minnesota, IV Sedation Dentistry or as it’s sometimes called,
sleep dentistry or anxiety-free dentistry, offers a real solution for
people who do not wish to experience any pain or remember anything of
their dental visit.
Oral Sedation versus IV Sedation