Dental Anxiety in Aventura, FL

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Dental Anxiety Aventura, FL Solutions to dental anxiety come in many forms. When left untreated, many dental problems only get worse, which is why compassionate family dental care can make a significant difference. We can help empower patients with dental anxiety to take the necessary action to treat their underlying conditions.

Solutions to dental anxiety are available at Haratz Dental in Aventura and the surrounding area. Fear should never get in the way of your health, which is why comprehensive dental services can make a significant difference. Call us at (786) 433-5232 to learn more and schedule an appointment today.

Understanding

Understanding
Dental Anxiety

Dental anxiety, also known as dental phobia, is a condition in which patients have a debilitating fear of the dentist. People with dental anxiety are aware that their fear is irrational, but have little to no means of managing it. They may be so panic-stricken by the prospect of seeing the dentist that they will only go when forced by extreme pain. Other common signs of dental anxiety include:

Escalating feelings of nervousness in a dentist’s waiting room
Feelings of intense unease at the thought of a dentist placing objects in the mouth during treatment
Physical reactions at the thought of visiting the dentist
Trouble sleeping the night before a dental appointment

At times, dental anxiety may get severe enough to be considered pathological. Patients who find that their dental anxiety severely impedes their normal functioning may benefit from psychiatric treatment.

"People with dental anxiety are aware that their fear is irrational, but have little to no means of managing it."

Your Care Team

Meet Our Doctors

Our philosophy is simple: treat every patient with care, knowledge, and love. We’re here to build a long-term relationship with you and your family.

Trust

Knowledge

Long-Term Care

Family Feel

Founder & Owner

Dr. Adela Haratz

Over 40 years creating beautiful smiles. A pioneering aesthetic and scientific authority in dental artistry.

Cosmetic & General

Dr. Michael Mya

A North Miami Beach native dedicated to providing excellent dental care to his community.

Oral Surgery

Dr. Matthew Rand

“My passion is creating bright new smiles for patients of all ages.”

We speak your language: English, Spanish & Hebrew

Our Approach

Causes of
Dental Anxiety

Patients of all ages and backgrounds can have dental anxiety. A multitude of factors may contribute to someone's unease at the prospect of being in the dentist's chair, including but not limited to fear of anesthesia, fear of injections, fear of pain, feelings of embarrassment, and feelings of helplessness.

All of the above are valid reasons to be anxious. Still, they do not have to overtake a patient's dental experience. Patients should be open and honest with their dentist about their anxieties, as this is the first step to phobia management. At Haratz Dental, we believe communication is key to a successful dentist-patient relationship.

"Patients should be open and honest with their dentist about their anxieties, as this is the first step to phobia management."

Our Approach

Coping with
Dental Anxiety

Dealing with a dismissive dentist may only make the problem worse. Therefore, the first step to managing dental anxiety is finding the right dentist. Patients should also ask office staff about any recommended coping strategies and agree on a signal to let the dentist know if they need to take a break.

Mindfulness techniques can also help. Patients may want to try breathing exercises or doing body scans while in the dentist's chair. Others may benefit from distracting themselves by doing things like wearing headphones or occupying their hands.

Additionally, patients should let the dentist know if they are particularly sensitive to pain, even with local anesthesia. There is no need for patients to feel embarrassed about asking questions or being open about their fear. This is the only way to develop a truly individualized plan to attack one's dental anxiety.

"There is no need for patients to feel embarrassed about asking questions or being open about their fear."

Aftercare

Sedation &
Dental Anxiety

Some patients with more severe dental anxiety may require more intensive management measures. These include:

Relative Analgesia: Also known as “laughing gas,” relative analgesia consists of patients receiving a combination of oxygen and nitrous oxide through a mask fitted to their face. This treatment is quick to take effect and also quick to wear off. Patients remain awake but feel relaxed for the procedure.
Anxiety Medication: Typically, anxiety medication for dental anxiety comes in the form of a pill. It may be prescribed either by a dentist or a doctor. The patient will take a single, short-acting dose about one hour before their dental appointment.
Conscious Sedation: Conscious sedation is a form of intravenous (IV) sedation administered either by a sedation dentist or an anesthetist. Patients under conscious sedation may drift off into a light sleep, making this known as “twilight sedation.”
General Anesthesia: General anesthesia is the most intensive form of sedation, administered through a combination of IV medication and inhaled gases. Patients are put fully to sleep and will require pre- and post-operative visits.

Not all forms of sedation are appropriate for everyone or every dental procedure. Our qualified team works closely with our patients to take the proper measures to provide the most comfortable experience possible.

"Some patients with more severe dental anxiety may require more intensive management measures."

Aftercare

Children &
Dental Anxiety

It is not uncommon for parents to experience dental anxiety on their child's behalf. Parents should maintain a calm exterior as children will pick up on any anxiety displayed by their parents. Parents should refrain from telling their children that something will hurt or be painful, nor should they promise a reward for going to the dentist. Doing so will only cause children to anticipate something unpleasant and act accordingly. While parents should tell their children about any upcoming dental appointments, they should not overload their child with too much detail about what to expect. Dentists have received the training to give simple, non-threatening answers. Parents should prioritize stressing the importance of dental hygiene to their children instead.

"Parents should maintain a calm exterior as children will pick up on any anxiety displayed by their parents."

Accessible Care

Insurance & Financing Options

We accept most PPO insurance plans including Delta, Aetna, Cigna, Guardian, MetLife, Humana, and UnitedHealthcare. Flexible financing through CareCredit and Cherry, plus our in-house membership plan.

Delta Dental

Aetna

Cigna

MetLife

Humana

CareCredit

Take the Next Step

Quality Dental Services Can
Transform Your Smile

By visiting us as soon as possible, our team can help get you the professional treatment you need. Instead of waiting around and allowing the symptoms to get worse, we can provide you with treatment options.

Understanding
Dental Anxiety