Accepting dental treatment isn’t always easy.
From the perch in my Birmingham dentist’s office, it can be tempting to think otherwise, but I wasn’t always a dentist; I grew up getting the same kind of oral health care that you did. From a purely patient-centric perspective, I can sympathize when some of my first-time patients are too nervous for their own good.
A dentist’s office can be a stressful place for a lot of people, and you might consider yourself part of such a group. It’s okay. A lot of people suffer from a very real psychological condition known as dental anxiety. It is exactly what it sounds like, and the part I’m not okay with is that this fear of the dentist prevents a potential patient like you from coming in to get the treatment that they need.
Fear does some pretty funny things to your judgement. In the case of dental anxiety, that fear can make it perfectly acceptable to you to avoid making a critical appointment with your Birmingham dentist because the fear of sitting in the dentist’s chair is worse than what can happen to a smile that is professionally neglected.
And let me tell you: There is an awful lot that can go wrong, and will go wrong, unless you learn to overcome those fears and get the procedure or treatments that you desperately need.
It’s not easy, but then, some of the most important parts of life are a challenge, and once you’ve accomplished them you can look back and say “You know, that wasn’t so hard!” Accepting quality dental care is no different.
But sometimes, you just need a little help in order to make it to the other side. That’s where my talented staff and I come in!
Relieving Your Dental Anxiety
In many ways, my entire practice is centered around patients like you. Everything we do here, and how we do it, is done with your comfort at the forefront of our minds.
Take appointment scheduling. Not exactly a glamorous topic, but it’s extremely important for anxious patients that they don’t feel like they’re being rushed through a process that they have some reservations about.
I can make sure that your appointment is scheduled with plenty of time to spare so that I can answer all of your questions and allow you to approach treatment at a relaxed, steady pace. Or if you just want the procedure over and done with, a lot of the technology that we use for cosmetic dentistry and restorative dentistry can be performed in just one scheduled afternoon appointment, so you won’t have to be here any longer than you want to. Either way, we can accommodate you.
This ethic even extends to how our operatories are designed. Each one is outfitted with a flat screen television so that you can watch your favorite movie or television program while my team and I deliver what I think is the best dental care in Birmingham! We want you to feel like you’re at home when you’re with us, and will do everything we can to make that happen for you.
More extreme cases of dental anxiety may require more extreme measures, especially if you are suffering from a dental emergency and there’s no time to slowly ease you into the treatment process without jeopardizing your oral health.
When this happens to a patient, I can recommend a mild sedative that won’t completely knock you out, but will dramatically lower your anxiety levels down to zero. I also offer nitrous oxide for patients who are extremely uncomfortable with being in the dentist’s office; whether it’s the loss of control from sitting still in a strange chair, or having medical instruments poking around in your mouth, I can ease your fears in a matter of minutes!
Discover The Softer Side of Dentistry
By now, you should be aware of the many ways my practice can make you feel more comfortable than ever with getting the necessary dental care you deserve.
Failing to get that much-needed dental procedure can have disastrous consequences for your smile – consequences that you could already be suffering from.
To eliminate your pain and confront your fears once and for all, please give me a call at 248-972-8720. You can also request an appointment with me online by clicking this link.