Do You Suffer From Dentophobia?

At Hannon & Sandler, we recognize that just walking through the door is often the biggest challenge for someone with dentophobia, or dental anxiety. Our team can help you to overcome your fears. The key comes with understanding that while fears are learned, in time they can also be unlearned!

Putting off a visit to the dentist can only make matters worse. That toothache you have been avoiding may have progressed to the point where a root canal is needed. Although a root canal is no more difficult to endure than a simple filling, it does mean more time in the dental chair and higher financial costs.

The American Dental Association explains that nearly twenty percent of people living in the United States avoid the dentist because of fear or serious anxiety. Dental phobia can leave patients terrified and panic stricken. Many dental fears develop from a single bad experience, usually as a child. Oftentimes, these patients will avoid the dentist at all costs and only make an appointment to see their dentist in cases of extreme pain.

Signs that you may be suffering from a dental phobia and not dental anxiety include, but are not limited to:

• Inability to sleep before seeing your dentist
• Feeling nervous in the waiting room of the dental office
• Emotional teary outbursts and/or feeling ill at the thought of seeing your dentist
• Intense uneasiness just thinking about someone putting something in your mouth

These fears may stem from a previously unpleasant or painful experience at the dentist office. Thankfully, the doctors at Hannon & Sandler Dental have the technology and experience to make your procedure much less painful, and in most cases, completely pain-free. We also offer the use of Nitrous Oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, which we can use to help make your experience at the dental office more comfortable.

If you are one of the many people suffering from a dental phobia or anxiety, schedule an appointment with the team at Hannon & Sandler today. Dr. Bob, Dr. Jerry, Dr. Marissa and their entire staff pride themselves on making their patients feel comfortable, helping them to conquer dental fears.