Compassion | Shelby Township Dentists, Macomb County Michigan Cosmetic and Sedation Dentist

I am looking for a Macomb County Dentist for nervous people

June 19, 2010 by Shelby Dentist ·

Dentistry can bring on night sweats, rapid heart beat, hyperventilation and all of the symptoms of a huge anxiety rush. This type of feeling is usually felt before a dental appointment for those who have had bad experiences.

These bad events can stay with people for decades. The level of fear can last for many years because the fear is ingrained into that person’s memory. Because we deal with very close spaces and are directly in one of the most sensitive and personal areas on the human body trust must be one of the most importent issues that the dental patient must have.

Modern dentistry has equipped ourselves to deal with these issues to make visits much more comfortable. For example, we use sedation to put people in a state where they have no memory of their procedure and are very relaxed when they get to the office and during the procedures. It also allows for them to get many services done at one visit so they don’t have to continually return to our office. Another option is to plug in a DVD into our virtual reality glasses and watch a movie.

It is critical to have dental procedures pain free. Anesthetics properly administered do a great job in controlling pain and therefore anxiety, and as a result trust starts to become developed.

Because fear comes from a loss of control it is very important that you are in complete control of the procedure and have a way of stopping if you need a break or are in pain and in need of additional anesthesia.

Anxiety stems from fear of the unknown and when you are not sure the anxiety increases. It is also very helpful if all of your questions are answered when you need additional information.

Because relationships are so important and can’t be stressed enough we have personal interviews with the patient so that their needs are met and so that there are no misunderstandings.

Please don’t let your bad experiences affect your present condition. Modern dentistry emphasizes prevention over all other things so do yourself a favor and don’t delay this any longer. Your needs will be met and you will be comfortable having treatment as this is my promise. You will be amazed at how easy and user friendly dental care can be.

It is easier said than done, but don’t be embarrassed if you haven’t been to a dentist in years and are afraid of past judgments from the dentist. A modern dentist will help you look forward to your future care and would never lecture you.

About The Author

Dr. Robert Antolak, DDS graduated from the University of Michigan in 1987 with his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. He is dedicated to providing the highest quality and appropriate cosmetic, sedation and general dentistry in the most comfortable and gentle way possible. Because being a dentist has been a lifelong dream, Dr. Antolak has a passion for the profession. He enjoys helping people feel better about their smiles and therefore their self-image with dental implant and cosmetic dentistry. His Dental Practice is located in Shelby Township, Michigan. For more information visit The Gentle Dentist.

Filed Under: Dental Emergencies, Dental fear, General Dentistry, How to choose a dentist, Sedation Dentistry Tagged With: Anesthetic, Anesthetics, Anxiety, Appointments, Circumstances, Compassion, Complete Control, Decades, dental ansiety, dental anxiety, Dental Emergencies, Dental fear, Dental Procedures, Dentistry, Dentists, Exact Problem, Fear, Fear Of The Unknown, Fly, General Dentistry, Going To The Dentist, How to choose a dentist, Job, Memory, Mouth pain, Old Friend, Prick, Relati, relationships, sedation, Sedation Dentistry, Teeth Whitening | Tags: 80s, Topical Anesthetic, Traumatic Experiences, Virtual Glasses, Virtual Reality Glasses

Dental fear-a crippling problem resolved

February 18, 2010 by Shelby Dentist ·

Question: I have a tremendous amount of fear when it comes to going to the dentist. It has gotten to the point where I have to go and don’t know what to do. Help!!!!

Answer: You and many other patients come in to see us with this exact problem. Past visits at the dentist have in some circumstances “paralyzed” patients with hear and then put off appointments for years. These bad and usually very traumatic experiences can stay with people for decades. In fact I saw a patient the other day who was in his 80s and he could remember every detail of a visit when he was a child that kept him from visiting the dentist for over 60 years.

Modern dentistry has responded to these issues to make visits much more comfortable. For example, we use sedation to put people in a state where they have no memory of their procedure and are very relaxed when they get to the office. It also allows for them to get many procedures done at one visit so they don’t have to continually return to our office. Another option is to watch a movie on our virtual reality glasses. Dental procedures fly by while you watch your favorite movie.

It is critical to have dental procedures pain free. Anesthetics properly administered do a wonderful job in controlling pain and therefore anxiety, which means injecting slowly with compassion using topical anesthetic before the injection eliminates the prick from an injection.

Anxiety arises from fear of the unknown and when you are expecting pain the anxiety even heightens even more. It is also very helpful if all of your questions are answered when you need additional information.

At TheGentleDentist.com we take the time to know our patients to the point where they feel comfortable because it is like seeing an old friend. These relationships are important and can’t be stressed enough.

Please don’t let your bad experiences affect your present condition. Modern dentistry emphasizes prevention over all other things so do yourself a favor and don’t delay this any longer. You will be amazed at how easy and user friendly dental care can be. Also don’t be embarrassed if you haven’t been to a dentist in years and are afraid of past judgments from the dentist. A modern dentist will help you look forward to your future care and would never lecture you.

Filed Under: Dental Emergencies, Dental fear, General Dentistry, How to choose a dentist, Mouth pain, Sedation Dentistry, Teeth Whitening Tagged With: 80s, Anesthetic, Anesthetics, Anxiety, Appointments, Circumstances, Compassion, Complete Control, Decades, dental ansiety, dental anxiety, Dental fear, Dental Procedures, Dentistry, Dentists, Exact Problem, Fear, Fear Of The Unknown, Fly, Going To The Dentist, Job, Memory, Old Friend, Prick, Relati, relationships, sedation, Topical Anesthetic, Traumatic Experiences, Virtual Glasses, Virtual Reality Glasses

I am Afraid of the Dentist and Need Sedation!

January 25, 2010 by Shelby Dentist ·

I hear that comment so very much in our Shelby Township, Michigan general dental practice. Because we take pride in taking care of our dental phobic patients it is necessary to have compassion on those who utter these words out of their mouths.

Dental fear usually is the result of just one or many bad dental experiences. Whether it is:

from a painful injection,
the smell of the drill or smell of the dental office
the noise associated with the dental procedure
the odor of the dentist
pain during the entire dental procedure where the dentist would not stop even thought the patient made it clear that they needed to stop.
or even being slapped by the dentist. (Which is child abuse now).

These are only a few of the reasons why having a trip to the dentist imparts fear through the mind of many. Just the thought of the dentist raises blood pressure, pulse rates and anxiety sets in. All of the previously mentioned responses are from a lack of control and an invasion into someones personal space.

Lack Of Control- When a patient first shows up in the office I usually hear them give a history that the dentist did horrible things to them at a young age which made them vouch that they will never put themselves in the situation again. They usually told their parents what happened but the parents didn’t validate their experience, which made them stuff their feelings down so no one would know. After many years of toothaches, avoidance and pain they make an appointment, pull up into the parking lot and then just leave. This is true fear and is so real to the wounded individual.

Invasion of one’s personal space- This is a real occurance that many encounter. There is an invisible space around us where we feel comfortable allowing others to encroach into that space. For example, we will allow someone we are personal with such as our children or a spouse to get much closer to us than a complete stranger. Dentists are complete strangers to us especially when it is our first visit. I always ask the question “Why should we as dentists assume it is ok to invade this personal space with sharp instruments that could hurt the person”? It isn’t OK to do this until permission is granted and there is a certain level of confidence and trust. That only takes place over time and at a slow rate.

At our office we take our time at the first visit to just talk and to work on creating a good new experience. Even before the initial appointment I will call the patient to welcome them to discuss their fears, answer their questions and to just say “Hi”. This helps reduce the fear of the first visit. High anxiety patients may require that we just give them a tour of the office. Since we are digital we don’t smell like a dental office or even look like a dental office. During a dental visit our objective is to:

Provide headphones for those who don’t want to hear what is going on
Nitrous oxide for those who just need a little of anxiety control
Oral sedation for those who don’t want to remember the appointment and to enter the appointment in a total relaxed state.
Use extremely strong topical anesthetic so the shot is not felt.

It takes a lot of time, patience and compassion to team up with those who have been scarred from bad dental experiences and what is necessary is a dentist and dental team who are willing to have a desire to change this person around. It is my true belief that we are the dental office who can treat the high fear patient located in Washington Township, Sterling Heights, Macomb Township, Clinton Township and Shelby Township, d Michigan. Call our office at 586-247-3500 or visit our website at www.TheGentleDentist.com.