If you have anxiety about dental visits, you’re not alone. There are different degrees of dental anxiety that can make time in the dentist’s chair stressful and even hold a person back from seeing the dentist at all. Avoiding the dentist is a sure way to develop a broken-down smile – and increase your need for a smile makeover to fix the many things that are wrong, functionally and cosmetically, with your oral health. If a smile makeover is in your future, there are ways to prepare so you can ease into a healthy, flawless smile.
1. Sedation Dentistry
One of the most important options in modern dentistry is sedation dentistry. Being able to “sleep” through a major dental visit lets you relax about the sights and sounds of a dentist’s office and eliminates the tension you’re holding in your body. Not only is this a benefit for the patient, but it’s a perk for the dentist too who can complete more procedures when the patient is calm.
Sedation dentistry options usually include laughing gas and oral sedation. Laughing gas is administered through a small mask over the nose, kept in place throughout your treatment. Only a brief recovery period is needed before you are on your way. Oral sedation requires a longer recovery period and someone to accompany you home.
2. Digital Smile Design
One way to ease yourself into the reality of a smile makeover is through digital smile design. You don’t have to wonder what you might look like with your new veneers or dental implants, porcelain crowns or Invisalign. Smile design software lets you see the new you, and there’s a pretty good chance you’ll like what you see.
Worrying about cosmetic dentistry results is sometimes the biggest part of a patient’s anxiety. Visualizing the reality minimizes stress and helps you look forward to the new smile ahead. Getting a good look at the “draft” of your proposed smile makeover is major motivation to get in your Midtown cosmetic dentist’s chair and make it happen.
3. Personal Comfort Measures
Does listening to music lower your blood pressure? Do you find comfort in a stuffed animal? Are you distracted and calmed by a fidget spinner? Whatever tools you need to chill out before your smile makeover is welcome in our office. You might not need to bring much along though. Our treatment rooms include movies, noise-cancelling headphones, aromatic candles, warm neck pillows, and more.
4. Brushing and Flossing
Good oral health is non-negotiable if you’re in the market for cosmetic dentistry. Before your NYC dentist will make any upgrades to the appearance of your smile, its foundation must first be confirmed.
Daily brushing and flossing and keeping up with your six-month dental cleanings and check-up will ensure that your teeth and gums are healthy and ready for anything, whether you opt for veneers or teeth whitening or any other cosmetic dentistry treatment.
Ready to get ready for your smile makeover? Schedule your consultation with Dr. Michael J. Wei at his cosmetic dentistry practice on Madison Avenue to start the discussion, get a digital image of the new you, and learn about the best ways to get comfortable with the dental work ahead.
