NPD Blog

Dental phobia, or excessive anxiety when you get anywhere near a dental office or a dentist is quite usual for many patients. A lot of people will avoid going to the dentist in order to fix the problem soon, and small dental issues will in no time transform into major complications.

According to Dr. Ryne Johnson, a prosthodontist at Newton Wellesley Dental Partners, if left unaddressed, a simple cavity can lead to nerve damage.  Even gum disease, if left untreated may lead to tooth loss.  Taking the ‘head-in-the-sand’ approach will lead to significant problems and significant expenses down the road.  In order to ease dental phobia, you might want to consider the following popular relaxation techniques:

1. Communication with the dentist

It is extremely important to inform your dentist about your fears and anxieties. If he is a very good professional, he will know how to help you calm down before a procedure.  Some people feel extremely embarrassed about the state of their teeth which are extremely damaged from lack of dental visits, don’t worry.
 
However, you should keep in mind that the main specialty of cosmetic dentists is to repair even the worst damages, and they have most probably seen hundreds of other patients with even bigger issues or problem than yours.

2. Ask your dentist about what comes next

Indeed, if you are afraid because you don’t know how exactly the treatment will be performed, you should ask your dentist to let you know the details. If you know exactly what procedure will come next, you will feel more comfortable and more “in control” of the situation. The dentists at Newton Wellesley Dental Partners feel very strongly about keeping their patients informed so they are more able to make informed decisions.

3. Relax and find a way to ‘escape’

Today’s dental science is not what it used to be 30 years ago; procedures are much less invasive and dental anesthetics (‘Novocain’) is much better than years past.  You can also listen to your favorite music during the procedure, or watch an interesting DVD in order to set your mind at more pleasant thoughts.

4. Extreme dental phobia cases solution

Sedation dentistry- this is when the dentist will administer a pill or intravenous sedation. The patient will be put in a dream like state of total relaxation for the entire duration of the treatment.   Sometimes, a minor sedative can be used to ‘take the edge off’ one’s anxieties.

It is important to do everything possible to overcome your fears in order to treat dental problem. If you consider that sedation dentistry is what you truly need in order to have “courage” in the dentist chair, than make sure to find the best cosmetic dentist that can address your needs.

Finally, feel free to visit www.NewtonWelleselyDentalPartners.org for additional information on their doctors and procedures they offer.  There is a difference in dental care options and finding the right dentist can ease your anxieties.

Michael Andelman (96.9 WTKK radio and Phantom Gourmet) was recently heard as saying, “I had put off going to a dentist for 8 years and my wife was frustrated. She really wanted me to do something about it. So, listening to the radio, WTKK, I heard the radio spot for Dr. Ryne Johnson at Newton Prosthodontics. I called him at his office, and I’m not kidding, he called me back from his cell phone a few minutes later!”

“He told me to be at his office at 6:00 the next day. I told him about my business meeting at 6pm that conflicted with that”, and he said to me, “no problem, I’ll see you at 6am tomorrow”.

“I couldn’t believe it. Talk about customer service, I was already blown away. I was in his office at 6:00am the next day. When I opened my mouth, Dr. Johnson…well, let’s just say he was less than pleased with the way my teeth looked”.  He said, “You haven’t taken very good care of your teeth”.

“I have never had better customer service IN ANY INDUSTRY than I had with Dr. Johnson at Newton Prosthodontics.  After a series of appointments over the course of a month, Dr. Johnson had fixed everything going on with my teeth.  I couldn’t be happier with the results”.

There is more to a dental visit than getting your teeth taken care of.  The visit, the care and the level of service you receive and feeling like you have a friend taking care of your dental health is extremely important. Exceptional customer service is not easy to find today. When you find it on this level, you need to tell people about it.

Contact Dr. Johnson at Newton Prosthodontics for you dentistry needs and experience the level of care a local celebrity has raved about.  Call 617.965.1225 or visit www.NewtonProsthodontics.com Remember, “See a Specialist…The Difference Will Make you Smile.”