Phobic Patients

Fort Lee, NJ

Introduction to Phobic Patients

Phobic patients experience an overwhelming sense of dread and anxiety when contemplating dental appointments. Many visualize nothing but pain and suffering connected with routine oral health procedures like getting cavities filled or undergoing deep cleanings. In reality, award-winning dentists like Dr. Ali Weiselberg in Fort Lee, NJ, prioritize providing patients with a soothing, relaxing, and comfortable dental experience from start to finish. Dr. Weiselberg does everything possible to minimize treatment time, allay fears, and eliminate discomfort. If you or a loved one is phobic when it comes to dentistry, schedule a private consultation at North Jersey Dental Group so Dr. Weiselberg can discuss your options for sedation as well as behavior modifications that can help take the stress out of your visit.

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What is a Phobic Patient?

Compared to 20 years ago, dental technology today has evolved by leaps and bounds. For instance, noisy drills are often replaced by painless, soundless lasers. Digital scanners have replaced gooey impression material. The safety of dental materials has also improved tremendously. Likewise, there are more safe ways to eliminate pain today than ever before, allowing phobic patients to take care of their oral health without debilitating anxiety and trepidation. The most common dental fears include the following:

Being judged for the condition of your teeth
Gagging or throwing up
Injections
Losing control
Becoming permanently numb
Excruciating pain
Your dentist’s intentions
The sound of drills
Dental accidents
Poisonous dental materials
X-ray damage

How Do You Treat Phobic Patients?

Studies indicate that up to 35 million people avoid the dentist out of fear and anxiety. Ironically, doing so can lead to even more frightening dental emergencies that involve the precise discomfort the patient initially dreaded. Thus, avoidance of the dentist leads to a cycle of worst-case scenarios. Visiting a dentist on a regular basis for cleanings and check-ups can eliminate more costly and distressing dental problems down the line.

For phobic patients, Dr. Weiselberg always starts by recommending certain behavioral changes that can result in a more calm and endurable experience. These include the following:

Being honest and transparent with your dental team—Discussing irrational fears with a stranger can be embarrassing. However, unless you disclose what you are afraid of, Dr. Weiselberg and her team cannot make the necessary adjustments to accommodate you and allay your fears.
Listening to music during your treatment can be incredibly relaxing and reassuring for many patients. Additionally, it can drown out unpleasant noises heard during dental treatments.
Agreeing on a signal – You and your dentist should agree on a signal that lets the dentist know you need to take a break. For instance, when you raise your left arm, the dentist will immediately pause, letting you know that you are in control and nothing will happen without your permission.
Utilizing throat sprays – Throat sprays like Vicks Chloraseptic Throat Spray can control the gag reflex. Two or three sprays will usually keep the reflex under control for about an hour.
Working with a mirror – For some patients, not being able to see what is happening can increase anxiety and make the imagination run wild. Watching the procedure can help keep reality at the forefront of the mind.
Asking about alternatives – Advances in technology mean that dental microsurgery is now an option. Lasers can be used to prepare teeth for fillings, whiten teeth, and remove staining. Discuss all the options with Dr. Weiselberg and decide on one that is effective and produces minimal anxiety.

What is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry provides relief from fear and anxiety through medications rather than behavior modifications. Options include the following:

Anxiolytic Prescriptions – A patient’s nerves during dental treatments may lead to heavy breathing, shakiness, and high blood pressure, all of which can be dangerous for the dentist to work around. When dental phobia is so severe that behavior modifications don’t help, prescription dental anxiety medications such as benzodiazepines (lorazepam, triazolam, alprazolam, diazepam, and others) may be highly effective. Dr. Weiselberg will ensure you are fully aware of all the risks and benefits associated with benzodiazepines before your procedure.
Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas) – Nitrous Oxide (“Laughing Gas”) is a sedative that can help keep patients comfortable and relaxed during complex dental work. A colorless, odorless gas is released through a nosepiece. It works as a depressant to relax the brain, slow down the thinking process, and keep the patient’s thoughts from turning toward dread. Nitrous Oxide is paired with local anesthesia for your ultimate peace of mind. In general, sedation dentistry is a safe option, especially for children who otherwise cannot undergo dental work.

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Let’s Get Started

What’s the First Step in Getting Treatment if I’m a Phobic Patient?

The first step is to discuss with Dr. Weiselberg what prevents you from getting the dental care you need. Many patients are afraid of looking stupid or being laughed at or dismissed when they reveal their deepest fears about dental work. Dr. Weiselberg would never dismiss a patient’s anxiety, as her core mission is to safeguard the health and well-being of her patients, delivering quality dental care that helps to prevent disease, discomfort, and tooth loss. She takes pain and distress extremely seriously and will work tirelessly to provide a stress-free experience for her patients, whether it means coaching them on behavior modifications or providing sedation dentistry so that patients are in a rested, relaxed state during their treatments. It all begins with a simple consultation during which you will be prioritized, heard, and respected.

What to Expect from a Treatment as a Phobic Patient?

When you come into the office, Dr. Weiselberg will help you settle into your chair, assisting you in setting up the environment in a way that feels safe. That may include having a mirror present so you can see what’s happening every step of the way, setting up your music so it drowns out the sound of dental devices, or preparing laughing gas to keep you calm and sedated during more complex procedures. Once you are ready, your treatment will begin. Dr. Weiselberg and you will have agreed on a hand signal beforehand that lets the dentist know you need to pause and regroup. You can raise your hand whenever you feel nervous, and the dentist will stop, letting you know you are in charge. Dr. Weiselberg makes every effort to perform the necessary treatments rapidly so you can go home as soon as possible. She and her entire team are dedicated to reducing stress and anxiety so you can enjoy optimal oral health benefits.

How Much Does Treating Phobic Patients Cost in North New Jersey?

The cost of treating phobic patients in Fort Lee and the Northern New Jersey area will vary based on whether the patient chooses sedation dentistry or opts for more modest behavioral changes. During your private consultation with Dr. Weiselberg in Fort Lee, she will discuss your fears and concerns and curate a personalized treatment plan for resolving your dental issues in the fastest, most non-invasive manner possible. At this time, Dr. Weiselberg will alert you of all costs involved with your treatment so that you have clear financial expectations going forward.

Why Choose North Jersey Dental Group?

Dr. Ali N. Weiselberg, D.D.S., F.I.C.O.I, founded the North Jersey Dental Group, P.A., as a state-of-the-art practice providing comprehensive services for patients of all ages in and beyond Fort Lee, NJ. Her skill, knowledge, and compassion combine to provide a safe and stress-free dental journey, especially for individuals who would prefer to avoid oral hygiene altogether due to crippling anxiety and fear.

Dr. Weiselberg has been licensed to practice in both New Jersey and New York since 2006 and has served on the Board of Directors of New York University’s College of Dentistry’s Alumni Association since September 2009. Thanks to her expertise and dedication to excellence, she was nominated as one of the Best 50 Women In Business in the State of New Jersey by NJBIZ in 2011 and was chosen as a Professional Woman of the Year by the National Association of Professional Women in 2009 and 2010. Dr. Weiselberg is a Lifetime Member of the Cambridge Who’s Who Registry of Executives, Professionals, and Entrepreneurs and is an active member of the American Dental Association (ADA), the North Jersey Dental Association (NJDA), the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD).

Schedule your
consultation

If you are a phobic dental patient and would like to learn more about Dr. Weiselberg’s caring and attentive approach to your care, contact us at North Jersey Dental Group in Fort Lee, NJ, today by calling 201-461-4800 or using the online contact form. We look forward to hearing from you.