For many people who have spent years undergoing extensive dental treatments, being faced with yet more dental issues can feel daunting. From being told that you have multiple cavities, inflamed gums, or the need for a wisdom tooth extraction, the growing list of dental concerns often brings with it a complex array of overwhelming emotions. And with those come feelings of shame for delaying dental care all those years, and together, mingled with the fear of returning to the dentist, they get the better of you. This can be especially troublesome if you’ve had past experiences that have triggered dental anxiety.
This fear and anxiety is more common than many might think. According to a study by Dental Phobia, 53% of the population in the UK experiences fear related to dental visits. In the UK, twenty-five per cent of all school children experience dental trauma, and 33% of adults have experienced trauma to the permanent dentition, with the majority of the injuries occurring before age 19. And the numbers are similar throughout the world, with the severity of the problem ranging from mild uneasiness to severe phobia that keeps people from seeking dental care.
Dental anxiety commonly stems from previous encounters that leave patients feeling unheard or uncomfortable. In some cases, individuals recall instances where their concerns about numbing and pain management during dental procedures were overlooked and had resulted in painful experiences that made them hesitant to seek care again. Such traumatic events can leave a lasting impact, often leading people to avoid the dentist for years, even if their dental health requires serious attention.
For some, although a visit to the dentist is an unpleasant experience, they still manage to get it over with. For others, the mere thought of seeing a dentist causes severe anxiety, leading them to postpone or completely avoid dental treatment. Unfortunately, there are high chances of this behaviour spiralling into a vicious cycle of dental pain, oral health problems, worsened anxiety, and, consequently, more extensive and costly dental procedures.
‘The more fearful someone is, the more likely they are to avoid or postpone care, and the more vulnerable they become to developing serious and painful problems as a consequence of neglect. When they finally present with these issues to the clinic, they are then in need of more expensive and complex treatment,’ says Dr Ihsaan, a multi-qualified medical doctor, dentist, surgeon, and co-founder of Zental. ‘But it doesn’t have to be this way,’ he added. ‘Fortunately, modern technology has revolutionised the way dental care is now provided. We can now offer more ways to comfort and calm our nervous patients.’
Until recently, dentistry had largely lagged behind the medical field when it came to using artificial intelligence and other advanced technology to diagnose or treat oral conditions. However, the dental field has now undergone a rapid technological metamorphosis, and more and more dentists are now looking for ways to digitalise their practices and incorporate AI into diagnostics and treatment planning.
If you experience dental anxiety or feel that you have a phobia, you will be relieved to learn that advancements in dental technology can now help you maintain your oral health and receive comfortable dental care.
Here are five innovations that can reduce dental anxiety and help you get past your fear so you can take good care of your teeth and enjoy a better experience at the dentist next time.
1. AI-Driven Virtual Reality (VR)
One of the most promising developments we’ve seen in the dental world is the use of AI-driven virtual reality. VR helps to immerse patients in soothing environments in such a realistic manner that it successfully diverts their attention from the dental procedure they’re dreading.
Viewing anything from scenic and calming beaches to peaceful forests can help patients forget they’re still seated in the dental chair. Personalisation is all the rage in the tech world these days, and together, AI and VR can take your experience in the dental chair to new heights.
What’s so cool about AI-powered VR is that it can adapt to individual preferences and provide an experience that eases their anxiety and encourages them to stay calm during the procedure. Excited to try out this new technology for yourself? Zental is a holistic dental practice that offers its patients this indulgent experience to help calm their nerves. Click here to book a slot.
2. Laser Dentistry
Those with a fear of dental treatments often feel anxious about the tools used for exams, cleanings, and other dental work. It may be the sharp instruments or the loud whirring sounds that make them uncomfortable. The introduction of lasers in dentist treatments has helped reduce dental phobia as they offer a less invasive and more comfortable option compared to traditional techniques. ‘In fact, many patients even find the soft pulsing sensation of the laser to be soothing,’ says Dr. Sunil Mangla, a dentist who works at Zental.
Laser treatments are silent, vibration-free, and usually painless. As they eliminate the need for making incisions into your gums, laser treatments are less invasive and don’t cause much bleeding. This translates to quicker healing times and better recovery after the procedure. Dental treatments using laser technology are also faster, and this is attributed to their increased precision.
Laser technology can do a whole lot of things while causing minimal discomfort. For example, they can detect cavities, prepare teeth for fillings, kill harmful bacteria, treat tooth sensitivity, reshape your gums, detach a thick or tight frenulum, remove tumours, soothe pain and inflammation, help regenerate blood vessels and nerves, treat cold sores, hasten the bleaching process, and remove tissues that interfere with the fit of dentures. For an anxious patient, just knowing that a treatment can be quick, pain-free, and without the sound of drills can work wonders to reduce their stress.
3. Sedation Dentistry
For many, just the idea of sitting in a dental chair is enough to bring back horrifying images of dental equipment and odours to trigger an intense attack of anxiety. Wouldn’t it be wonderful for patients like these to remember these events as mere blips in an incoherent dream? For them to erase the images of the drill, the mask, and the sword-like needle from their consciousness? To tap into a state of glorious amnesia and emerge unscathed from the traumas of the dental chair? Or forget they ever went to the dentist?
Enter sedation dentistry, an immensely popular strategy to treat the vast market of untreated patients hiding behind their fears for years, with their cavities unfilled, their teeth aching chronically, their crowns in disrepair, and their gums a terrible mess. Sedation techniques have proven to be a real hit for treating anxious patients in the dentist’s chair. The little mask delivering nitrous oxide (also known as laughing gas) and the oral and IV sedative medications have all been a salvation, rendering them oblivious to the chiselling, drilling, and tugging going on in their mouths.
These techniques achieve a moderate level of sedation, or ‘conscious sedation’ as dentists call it, which means you’re still technically awake but feel way more relaxed and calm. It is also called “twilight sleep” because it creates a state of short-term amnesia (forgetfulness) in which you become insensitive to pain without losing consciousness completely. Dr. Mohammed Kassam, a sedation expert at Zental, says that in this state, you should ‘be able to answer questions and follow commands. You may be able to sense the work going on, but it won’t bother you.’
Sedation options can cater to different levels of anxiety. From mild sedation (like nitrous oxide or “laughing gas”) to deeper sedation methods (such as oral sedation or IV sedation), your dentist can now tailor treatment to meet your needs.
Many anxious patients try to self-medicate before the procedure. This can be dangerous if your dentist is also planning to use medication, as it can create problematic drug interactions. For this reason, it’s best not to take any substances before the visit. If you do, don’t forget to tell your dentist about it.
As holistic dentists, we focus on creating a safe and stress-free environment where our patients can feel empowered to take good care of their oral health, says Dr. Abdul Rehman Rashid from Zental.
4. AI-Assisted Communication and Diagnostics
Often, what patients see on an X-ray is understandable to your dentists but appears like medical jargon to them. Looking at complicated photos of their teeth that make no sense to them can increase their feelings of anxiety.
In dentistry, AI is now being used for the analysis of dental imagery, such as radiographs or intraoral scans, as well as to support the decision-making process and predict disease pathways.
AI simplifies the radiographic image to clarify what is essential to your diagnosis and how your dentists can present it to you so you can understand your condition and proposed treatment. Research shows that AI-supported diagnostics can be a great help for dentists when it comes to effectively communicating the findings of a radiograph to patients. When patients can visualise the anomaly, they can understand what’s wrong with their teeth, and be more comfortable getting treatment. Clear and open communication helps build a good relationship between the dentist and the patient and fosters trust. A patient who trusts their dentist is less likely to experience dental anxiety compared to one who doesn’t.
In addition, AI software creates virtual reality simulations for patients of the treatment they are about to get, which can reduce their fear by familiarising them with the procedures. Through better communication and education, patients feel more satisfied and at ease with the treatments they are about to undergo. This ineluctably reduces feelings of fear and anxiety.
AI-driven virtual assistants and chatbots are software applications programmed to simulate human conversation, meaning that you can now have an intuitive conversation with a bot. Wondering how that can help ease dental phobia? Patients often have questions or concerns about specific dental treatments, procedures, or interventions. Virtual assistants and chatbots can communicate with them in a conversational manner and provide detailed explanations and information about various dental treatments, including their purposes, processes, benefits, and potential risks. They can also offer personalised guidance, recommendations, and reminders to them regarding proper oral hygiene practices, such as brushing techniques, flossing, dietary habits, and the use of dental products. What’s more, they can provide instructions and tips for post-treatment care to help patients recover smoothly and prevent complications.
After dental procedures, chatbots check in with patients to see how they’re doing and assess their recovery progress. They inquire about pain levels, medication adherence, and any unexpected symptoms they might be experiencing. This proactive approach ensures timely intervention in case any complications arise. Thus, chatbots play quite a significant role in easing patients’ fears with friendly interactions, answering questions, and explaining procedures.
5. Noise-Cancelling Headphones and Sensory Management
Sound plays a crucial role in how patients perceive their environment. The whirring of drills, beeping machines, loud vibrations of the ultrasonic scaling machine, and other dental office noises can heighten anxiety and make them uncomfortable. However, tech-savvy headphones have now come to the rescue!
Noise cancellation technology makes the noise of the drill and all other dental instruments quieter. It takes your mind elsewhere with your favourite artist, album, or podcast. AI-powered noise-cancelling headphones use AI to let a single voice through and cancel or block out all the rest of the noisy sounds that can potentially trigger anxiety. They help wearers focus on specific voices that produce a calming sensation.
6. Aromatherapy and A Calming Environment
Noise isn’t the only stimulant for anxiety. Merely the sight of dental tools, deemed ‘horrific’ by some patients, and the smells lingering in the environment, particularly the clingy odour of disinfectants, are enough to cause some nervous patients to panic.
Dental surgeries that cast a calming effect on patients can work wonders to reduce their feelings of fear and discomfort. A 2024 study shows that aromatherapy is an effective strategy for managing dental anxiety and helping patients remain calm during treatment.
As a sanctuary for holistic wellness that provides exceptional dental care, Zental’s dental clinics have been thoughtfully designed to soothe your senses. With tranquil interiors, calming music, and aromatherapy blends to calm, relax, and uplift your mood, they offer an experience that’s been expertly curated to make you comfortable while undergoing dental treatment and look and feel your best afterward.
7. Choose Wisely
The best advice when seeking dental treatment in an environment you feel comfortable in is to choose wisely. If you don’t yet have a dentist who listens or puts you at ease, it is best to look for one who will. ‘They could be the best dentist out there, but if you don’t feel comfortable with them, that’s not going to be a successful relationship,” says Dr. Ihsaan.
It is not uncommon for patients to be embarrassed to share how long it has been since they last saw a dentist or not feel comfortable admitting just how scared they really are. But remember that an empathetic dentist will always take the time to address your concerns right away when you tell them. So, do let them know if you’re not entirely comfortable or if you’re feeling scared or in pain. The best scenario is when your dentist’s treatment philosophy aligns with your own. As a patient, you need to decide what makes you feel the best.
Ready to Brush Aside Your Dental Fears?
With AI becoming integrated into so many aspects of healthcare, patients are not only witnessing quicker and more precise diagnoses but also receiving personalised treatment plans tailored specifically to their unique needs and personal preferences. This ultimately results in a clientele that’s satisfied, content, and, of course, loyal.
Dentists can now use the latest technology to their advantage when it comes to treating nervous patients. With AI-driven technology at their core, the latest technological advances in dental care promise more effective treatments and positive experiences for patients, especially those with a fear of dentists.
Holistic dental practices, like Zental, focus on maintaining a sense of calm and comfort and making you feel good from the inside out. Holistic practices embody a philosophy that ensures that patients feel supported in mind, body, and spirit. Nervous patients no longer need to suffer in silence; with the help of these innovations, their dental visits can be both calming and healing experiences. At Zental, your dentists are dedicated to doing what they can to ensure you get the care and professional treatment you need in the most comfortable way possible. Are you ready to let the latest advancements and holistic techniques help you get past your fears? Click here to book a consultation with some of the most compassionate dental experts now.
Written by Hadia Hanif
