How to Relax During Your Appointment

If you feel uneasy because you have an appointment with a prosthodontist, you’re certainly not alone. An estimated 35 percent of Americans are quite familiar with dental anxiety. Some people’s trepidation is so strong that they avoid any kind of dental professionals, including prosthodontists. Care of dental and related facial matters is a vital part of keeping you healthy. 

At the office of Tiger Periodontics and Dental Implants, we offer empathy, patience and compassion to all of our patients, especially those with dental anxiety. We know it's natural to feel uneasy when you come through our doors. But know that we’re committed to helping you with your emotional discomfort. 

Rather than putting off seeing a prosthodontist, try some of these coping techniques. 

Tell the prosthodontist about your feelings. He (or she) can explain your visit step-by-step and from start to finish. This knowledge will make you feel more in control during your procedure. 

Relax your mind. Sitting in the prosthodontist’s waiting room can be psychologically difficult, and those feelings can escalate once you’re in the dental chair. Promote calmness by: visualizing happy memories, which relax your mind; reminding yourself that the orthodontic procedure will benefit your oral health; realizing that your time “in the chair” will be a brief period out of your whole day; using earbuds to listen to your favorite tunes on your mobile device. 

Employ conscious sedation. Take an oral sedative a few hours before you leave for your appointment. It’s a good alternative to general anesthesia because you’ll be tranquil yet awake and aware. 

Bring a relative or pal to your appointment. She (or he) will provide you with distractions such as an engaging conversation, fun reminiscing, companionship—and maybe a bit of hand-holding as you wait to be called into the dental chair. 

The office of Tiger Periodontics and Dental Implants uses state-of-the-art knowledge and technology to perform a complete array of procedures with the utmost care and precision. All of our teams are friendly, highly trained specialists who are eager to help you feel comfortable and relaxed while receiving the very best in prosthodontic care. Please don’t hesitate call us today to schedule an appointment!

By Jonathan Tiger DMD

July 26, 2021