When it comes to hypnosis, it’s no surprise that it isn’t the most common subject to surface in conversations about dentistry. However, recent research has shown that there may be some benefits to the age-old practice of mesmerism. An area where it has seen the most implementation is mental health. The practice of hypnotherapy has taught patients methods of easing anxiety, conquering phobias, and more! Hypnotherapy has been around since the 1800s, yet it remains an integral part of certain forms of treatment. Due to its ability to ease stress and relieve phobias, hypnotherapy has found a place in the world of dental care. We will delve into this place that hypnosis has in the modern world of dental care.
How Does Hypnosis Benefit Dental Practices And Patients?
Let’s begin with what hypnosis is and what it isn’t. In the broadest spectrum of terms, hypnosis is a practice that renders the patient into a form of half-sleep, also known as a trance. In this entranced state, the patient retains a certain amount of awareness while seemingly fully conscious. This form of entrancement is a way to affect pain relief without requiring the usage of analgesics or other forms of sedation. Furthermore, it can ease anxiety and assist in making the patient more cooperative with the work a dentist may need to do. Like many treatments, hypnosis isn’t an approach that works for everyone. However, it can still help those it does work for by aiding in lessening the severity of their dental anxieties and enabling them to cooperate with the dentist’s needs during the ongoing treatment session they provide.
Patients undergoing hypnosis in an orthopedic environment often have found that traditional approaches may not have worked for them. This choice can be due to many factors, including a sensitivity to the sedatives or anesthetics used for dental operations. The patient may suffer from dental phobias that make receiving dental care a struggle. A significant benefit to hypnosis is the awareness a patient may exhibit during these sessions as they can easily convey their concerns to the dentist while complying with the dentist’s instructions by maintaining a level of calm that would otherwise be difficult for them.
How Effective Can Hypnosis Be For Dental Patients?
As mentioned above, hypnosis is ineffective for every patient as each is different. It can be valuable for many children, particularly those with dental anxiety. Children with dental anxiety have been found to respond to hypnotic suggestions more quickly than others. Nitrous Oxide can enhance the effectiveness of the hypnotic approach by allowing the patient to reach a hypnotic state with ease. Unlike some sedatives, Nitrous Oxide not only comes with a recovery period of mere minutes once the mask has been removed but also is safe to use, easily adjustable, and has little to no side effects. The best way to discover options for your dental anxiety during treatment is to head to your nearest dentist’s office and see the available choices that might best suit your needs.
