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In our office we employ the use of a behavioral method to reduce (and often eliminate dental fear) since 1980. This is called the dental fear control program developed by Dr. Kroeger. Researchers at the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry did a scientific evaluation of this program and found that it helped 98% of patients to significantly overcome their fear and that 70% said that they would not have returned to the office if they had not gone through the program. In this method, you learn how to relax yourself naturally - without drugs - through two proven exercises: guided imagery and progressive muscle relaxation. They really work! You can also go through systematic desensitization, another psychological method, if needed. In addition to this program, we offer nitrous oxide sedation (laughing gas), which is a vapor you breathe through a mask over your nose. Nitrous oxide works better if you have gone through the fear control program. Afterwards, there is no drowsiness so that you can drive yourself home. Some patients prefer taking oral tranquilizers. These pills can also produce deep relaxation but it is necessary to have someone take you home. We also will be offering IV sedation for extremely fearful patients. This type of sedation is known as twilight sleep and is in many ways safer than oral sedation. Some patients wear stereo headphones to block out the noise of the drill. Many enjoy these. We also use a topical cream on the gum to make the injection more tolerable. We give the injection very slowly and very gently and many of our patients actually wonder if they received a shot at all! |
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