Is Laser Dentistry My Best Option If I Have Dental Phobia?

If the thought of sitting in a dental chair fills you with dread, you're not alone. About one in three Americans (36%) worry about seeing their dentist, a condition called dental anxiety. 

Millions more have severe dental anxiety or dental phobia — anxiety so extreme, it prevents them from getting care that can save their smiles and preserve their overall health, too.

But we have good news: Over the past decade, dental treatments, techniques, and technology have made significant advances, and today, there are lots of options that can help you get the care you need without the anxiety and fear, including state-of-the-art laser dentistry.

At Morris Dental Associates, Amy Morris, DDS, and our team know that dental phobia is real, creating serious obstacles for lots of patients. In this post, learn how laser dentistry is making dental care more comfortable for anxiety-prone patients — and find out how it can benefit you.

Understanding dental phobia

Dental phobia is more than just general nervousness about seeing the dentist — it can trigger intense anxiety or panic attacks, as well as cause you to skip appointments and treatments essential for your oral health and your overall health, too. 

While dental phobia and anxiety can have different causes, for many, it’s either the memory of a past unpleasant experience, worry about discomfort, or the feeling of claustrophobia that can happen from “close-up” treatments, like dental cleanings. For others, the sounds or sensations of visiting the dentist are enough to cause anxiety and fear.

When anxiety gets in the way of dental check-ups and treatments, even relatively minor issues like cavities or early gum disease can progress into far more serious concerns that, ironically, require more aggressive interventions later on. 

Finding a solution for your dental anxiety means you can get the care you need to prevent more advanced problems and avoid the invasive solutions they require. Laser dentistry is one option that can help.

Laser dentistry — the basics

Dental lasers use highly focused beams of targeted light energy to perform a wide array of dental procedures, from eliminating decay and treating gum disease to performing root canal therapy and supporting better overall oral health. 

The high degree of precision associated with laser treatment means less healthy tissue interference, reducing discomfort during and after treatment. But less pain is just one way laser dentistry helps anxious patients feel more relaxed. 

Lasers also reduce or eliminate the need for drills, a common source of anxiety. Lasers are much quieter than drills, and they don’t involve vibrations and the unusual sensations associated with dental drills. This difference alone can lower your stress levels significantly.

Plus, because laser treatments are more comfortable, many treatments don’t require anesthesia — or the needles used to numb your gums and teeth. 

Higher precision supports faster treatments and less time spent in the dental chair overall. Because treatment is faster, many patients can combine multiple treatments into just one visit, reducing the need for followup trips to our office.

Don’t let anxiety take a toll on your oral health

Regular dental check-ups help maintain your oral health and your beautiful smile, while reducing your risks of systemic problems, like heart disease and respiratory ailments. 

Ready to find out how you can benefit from laser dentistry? We’re here to help. Request an appointment online or over the phone at Morris Dental Associates in Abilene, Texas, today.