Severe dental phobia is a real problem that affects millions of people across the world every year. Most dental-phobic people are afraid of the pain they associate with going to the dentist.
Thankfully, pain-free dentistry is finally becoming a reality thanks to the following modern breakthroughs. Read on to help calm your dental phobia and get the nerves to, once again, get your teeth checked.
Lasers
In science fiction films, lasers are often frightening tools of destruction. In dentistry, they are the most positive form of pain-free dentistry. Cutting-edge dentistry techniques now use these highly focused light beams to eliminate pain and cut surgery time by hours.
Lasers are regularly used for more soft tissue work, such as gum surgery, and are praised for their accuracy and cleanliness. The laser will cut only what needs to be cut instead of cutting out vast areas of the gum. As a result, there’s far less blood and much less need for sedation and other pain-control methods.
Other laser dental surgeries include:
- Attaching Periodontal Apparatus to Teeth — Modern laser technology allows for precise and minimally invasive attachment of periodontal apparatus, such as grafts or implants. This technique reduces healing time, lowers the risk of infection and provides a stronger, more secure bond between the teeth and gums.
- Eliminating Infections — Lasers are revolutionising how dentists treat infections, particularly in root canals and gum disease cases. Using laser energy to sterilise infected areas, dentists can remove bacteria more accurately than traditional methods. Many pain-free dentists in Sydney now offer laser bacterial reduction (LBR) as part of their routine gum care treatments.
- Tooth Removal — Lasers are increasingly being used to assist in tooth extractions, offering a much gentler approach than traditional forceps or drills. By using laser precision, dentists can cut through tissue with minimal trauma, reducing post-procedure pain and swelling.
Better Anaesthetics
Many dental-phobic people are afraid of what will happen if their anaesthetic wears off during their surgery. With Novocaine, this was a possibility, as it often required multiple shots for lengthy procedures.
However, newer anaesthetics, like Lidocaine, eliminate that possibility. Lidocaine is one of the most popular new dental anaesthetics, and it has a variety of benefits. They include:
- Quicker Effects
- Longer Effectiveness
- Better Pain Killing
- More Accurately Numbing
The last point is particularly poignant: Novocaine often required numbing the entire side of the face, leaving a person with droopy lips and skin for hours. Lidocaine and other anaesthetics like it affect a smaller and more focused area.
Sedation Dentistry
The previously mentioned painkillers are highly effective ways to control pain, but they may not be effective in controlling severe dental phobia. After all, patients will still be fully conscious and will feel the pressure of the drill on their teeth and gums. This unnerving feeling can cause panic.
These days, dentists utilise a wide variety of sedation techniques for the severely dental phobic. These techniques vary wildly in application and include oral conscious sedation and intravenous sedation.
- Oral conscious sedation requires wearing a mask that slowly and subtly introduces you to a relaxing gas. This gas will kill your pain and make you only dimly aware of what is happening.
- Intravenous sedation involves inserting a small, pain-free needle into a vein in your hand to introduce a sedation agent directly into your bloodstream.
Advancements in Sedation Dentistry
Recent developments in pain-free dentistry have introduced even more refined sedation techniques to enhance patient comfort. Digital sedation monitoring ensures optimal dosage control, making IV sedation safer and more predictable than ever before.
Additionally, ultra-short-acting sedatives now allow for quicker recovery times, meaning patients experience minimal grogginess after procedures. Many Sydney pain-free dentistry clinics offer personalised sedation plans tailored to individual anxiety levels, ensuring a fully relaxed experience from start to finish.
Electric Drills
Dental phobics are often terrified of the high-pitched scream of old-fashioned air drills. While they are helpful in performing a necessary procedure, the sound is enough to inspire fear. Thankfully, dentists are foregoing these loud drills and are investing in new electric ones.
Electric drills are much less noisy than air drills because they utilise a steady flow of electricity rather than sudden bursts of air. They are also more stable than air drills, which results in fewer accidents and mistakes.
Composites or Porcelain Fillings
Dental phobics are often terrified of getting fillings because they associate them with the old-fashioned metal filling technique. Thankfully, metal fillings are quickly being replaced by composite and porcelain fillings.
These fillings are much less invasive than metal, cause almost no pain, and are tooth-coloured. This means they blend in better with their surroundings. Best of all, they cause fewer dental problems than metal fillings.
Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) in Pain-Free Dentistry
Virtual reality and augmented reality are transforming the patient experience by reducing anxiety and enhancing comfort. VR immerses patients in calming virtual environments, diverting their focus from the procedure and minimising perceived pain. This distraction method is especially effective for those with dental phobia.
Meanwhile, AR helps educate patients by providing interactive visualisations of their treatment plans, improving understanding and easing concerns. These technologies not only make dental visits more comfortable but also empower patients by fostering a greater sense of control over their oral health journey.
Say Goodbye to Dental Anxiety with Pain-Free Dentistry in Sydney
Dental anxiety shouldn’t keep you from achieving a healthy smile. Hills Dental Care specialises in pain-free dentistry in Sydney, offering cutting-edge treatments and impeccable customer support. Our ADA-accredited clinic provides a welcoming, stress-free environment where patient comfort comes first.
Whether you need a routine check or an advanced cosmetic procedure, we guarantee a smooth, pain-free experience. If you’re interested in these pain-free dental procedures, contact us to learn more. There’s no reason your dental phobia has to doom you to a life of bad oral health.
