Our experience has shown that if the mere mention of the word “dentist” triggers intense anxiety in a person, that person is very likely suffering from dental anxiety. Although certainly few people look forward to a dental visit with complete ease, an upcoming appointment usually causes significant distress for those affected by dental anxiety. It is not uncommon for this distress to manifest as panic-like feelings. As a result, dental visits are repeatedly postponed or canceled at the last minute, despite existing dental problems. At the same time, the dental health of affected patients deteriorates progressively—and in the long term, chronic dental problems may even develop.
Do you also suffer from dental anxiety?
Whether you yourself are affected by dental anxiety is revealed not only by psychological but also by physical symptoms: On a psychological level, anxious patients typically experience increasing inner restlessness as a dental appointment approaches. Furthermore, those affected find it nearly impossible to stop themselves from thinking about the approaching appointment with great anxiety. On a physical level, dental anxiety often manifests through signs such as increased sweating, a rapid heart rate, and stomach and/or intestinal discomfort.
How does dental anxiety develop?
Dental anxiety does not develop for the same reasons in every person affected. Often, multiple factors interact to ultimately lead to dental anxiety. In some cases, for example, dental anxiety is triggered by unpleasant experiences a person has had during past visits to the dentist. Reports of dental visits perceived as negative also play a significant role in the development of dental anxiety. Last but not least, dental anxiety in some patients is also fueled by the fear of a so-called loss of control—the patient must rely on the dentist and has no opportunity to participate in the procedure.
Our Treatment Options for Anxious Patients
To gently alleviate the dental concerns of patients suffering from dental anxiety, we offer treatment plans at our Bellevue Dental Clinic in Zurich that are tailored to the needs of this patient group:
Individual Consultation
To help you, as an anxious patient, gently familiarize yourself with our clinic environment in Zurich and the treating dentists, we offer a preparatory and detailed informational consultation. Away from the dental chair, you can discuss your concerns during this consultation. At the same time, we’ll inform you about possible gentle treatment options. In many cases, a detailed consultation like this can already help alleviate dental anxiety.
Appropriate Anesthesia Methods
To help anxious patients undergo dental treatment as comfortably as possible, we offer procedures under general anesthesia or combined anesthesia and sedation (a combination of pain relief and sedation or relaxation). This way, you will feel no anxiety or pain during the dental treatment and can even sleep through the procedure if you wish. We will discuss which form of anesthesia is best suited to your individual case during your consultation at our practice in Zurich.
General anesthesia is often the best option, especially when extensive dental work is required—this allows our dentists to combine multiple treatment steps into a single appointment. For you as a patient with dental anxiety, this approach has the advantage that you do not have to attend several dental appointments in a row, each of which could cause renewed anxiety.
Treatment Under Hypnosis
A possible alternative to dental treatment under general anesthesia is treatment under hypnosis: Drawing on our medical expertise, we can, upon your request, guide you into a state of concentration that shifts your focus away from the current treatment situation and may thus provide temporary relief from anxiety. Dental hypnosis is generally suitable for all anxious patients who are willing to try this method—a hypnotic state cannot be induced against a patient’s will. We would be happy to advise you on whether dental treatment under hypnosis might be appropriate in your specific case.
Positive Effects of a Dental Visit Despite Dental Anxiety
If you decide to take advantage of our treatment options for patients with dental anxiety, you’ll benefit in several ways: Your teeth will be treated by experts, and toothaches (which have often persisted for long periods) will finally be a thing of the past. Furthermore, in many cases, a successful dental visit will also help combat dental anxiety itself, as scheduling a future dental appointment will require less mental effort. This is because the patient has faced their fear and learned that their worst fears did not come true—and that the positive outcomes of their visit clearly outweigh any anxiety. If another dental visit becomes necessary in the future, the positive experiences from the previous appointment will often help alleviate the underlying fear of the dentist.
If you suffer from dental anxiety and are looking for gentle and effective dental treatment that takes your fears into account, please contact our dentists in Zurich.
Possible Manifestations of Dental Anxiety
Low anxiety
You tend to feel relaxed about visiting the dentist, and most treatments do not cause you any concern.
If you still feel the need to learn more about treatment options for anxious patients, please feel free to contact the team at Bellevue Dental Clinic. It’s also possible that you’re only worried about a specific treatment. Even in that case, the team is happy to assist you.
Moderately anxious
The thought of a dental visit has negative connotations, but it does not cause you to panic. Often, it is specific treatment steps or instruments that cause you anxiety, rather than the dental visit itself.
Although you’re able to manage your anxiety or it doesn’t yet fully limit you, a consultation with one of our specialists at the Bellevue Dental Clinic is advisable. This will help determine how various treatment steps should be carried out for you and prevent your anxiety from becoming more severe. Please feel free to contact us.
Highly anxious
You are highly anxious, and a visit to the dentist poses a major challenge for you. In this case, the specialists at Bellevue Dental Clinic are happy to provide you with guidance. Patients with dental anxiety, such as yourself, are treated at Bellevue Dental Clinic according to a specialized treatment plan—this ensures that your dental care is carried out with as little stress and anxiety as possible.
Of course, we’d like to get to know you first and give you the opportunity to place your trust in us: For this reason, we always have a detailed consultation with patients who have dental anxiety before any treatment begins. Please feel free to contact us—you’ll see that it’s worth it.