Whether you feel small butterflies in your stomach, paralyzing fear, or anything in between, dental anxiety can make it difficult for you to receive the dental care you need for a healthy, bright smile. We are here to help you feel relaxed and comfortable during your visits to our offices.
If your anxiety is caused by a negative experience in the past, you have no need to worry; dental technology, techniques, and chairside manner have improved dramatically in recent years, and our team is here to do all we can to help you feel more comfortable. Many patients also feel nervous because they are uncertain of what their visits will include. Our dentists and team members are always happy to explain every step in your treatment so you can feel at ease during your time with us. Our goal is to show you that dental visits can be a positive, stress-free experience!
We ask questions of you, and we want you to ask us questions, too. We want you to be honest with us; with open communication, we can help you overcome most anxieties.
The “Tell, Show, Do,” technique is especially helpful for patients who are anxious because they do not know all of the details of their treatment. We will first tell you what we are going to do, then we will show you how we will do it, and then we will do it. Throughout your visit, we will check in with you to make sure you are comfortable and to see if you need a break.
If seeing what is going on would help you feel more comfortable, feel free to ask us for a mirror. We also utilize intraoral cameras so that we can show you a dentist’s view of your mouth while we go over treatment plans and diagnoses.
The Pacific Crest Smiles offices offer a variety of sedation options to treat your dental anxiety and help you feel calmer during your visit, whether it’s for a dental cleaning or a more complex treatment. Depending on your needs, our dentists may recommend oral medication, inhalation sedation (nitrous oxide/laughing gas), topical medications, or IV sedation. We are happy to help you find the solution that is right for you.
