Dentists across the nation say that the fear of pain is the number one reason that tens of millions of people avoid going to the dentist every year. That means all those people likely don’t have the healthy, bright and beautiful smile they probably want. But what if they knew that going to the dentist, even the cosmetic dentist, didn’t have to be painful?
According to Boca Raton, FL, dentist Steven G. Goldberg, DDS, it’s not the dentistry that hurts, it’s the injections that do, which is why he invented the DentalVibe, which uses vibration to eliminate the pain of the injection. However, here are the five procedures that are commonly recognized as the most painful of dentistry:
- Dental Implants
- Grafting Techniques for a Receding Gumline
- Dental Fillings
- Root Canals and Crowns
- Veneers
If you do have to have one of these procedures done, Dr. Goldberg says the easiest way to avoid pain is to be proactive. “Simple pre-procedural pain control measures will help you avoid the potential for discomfort with any cosmetic dental procedure and is the key to reducing pain during and after treatment as well,” he says.
First, see your dentist for a dental examination and take care of any existing cavities, tooth or gum problems that may exist as they might make you more susceptible to pain. Next, have a cleaning and determine if your teeth are sensitive prior to the start of any cosmetic dental procedure. “If they are, brush your teeth with a de-sensitizing toothpaste for a period of two weeks prior to the start of treatment. This is especially helpful for whitening procedures,” he says.
Once you are in the chair for the procedure, your dentist will most likely numb your teeth and do so with a DentalVibe, so you won’t feel any discomfort. You can also “bring an iPod with earphones to drown out any noise, (headphones may get in the way) and ask for laughing gas (nitrous oxide) if you feel anxious.”
