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Posted on 10/20/2019 by Neil Starr DDS PC |
 Fillings are probably the most common procedure that we will perform on you. If you regularly visit our office, like the recommended semi-annual exams, the filling will probably be minor and will be over before you know it. If you have not kept up with regular visits your filling may be more extensive than the former. The important thing to know, however, is that whether your filling is large or small it will be relatively pain-free. The size of your filling is not related to any pain you may feel. That in and of itself should relieve some of your anxiety. What Else Can I Do? One of the easiest things you can do is schedule the appointment for first thing in the morning. Do you want to wake up to that? Probably not, but from an anxiety standpoint, you don't want to have the whole day for the anxiety to build. That said, arrive for your appointment just before you are supposed to be there. Sitting in the waiting room will not alleviate your anxiety any more than waiting all day for your appointment. When you find out you have to get a filling, ask your dentist to explain the process to you. Most dentists have a little take-apart model of a tooth that they can use to show you the areas of the tooth. As they explain the process ask if you can see the tools that will be used for each step. The instruments can look scary, but if you know what they are used for it will make you less anxious when it gets pulled out during the procedure. You can even turn it into a memory game for yourself and announce the instrument's name as it is used. It sounds silly, but you would be amazed at what can help relieve anxiety. If your worried about whether or not music will be played during your procedure, ask if you can bring an MP3 player and use the headphones. It is possible the headphones will interfere, but it can't hurt to ask. Remember, the more you know the better you will feel. Let us know if you are anxious about your filing and we will do what we can to alleviate your fears. |
       Neil L. Starr, DDS, PC
Washington Office
1234 19th St NW #306 Washington, DC 20036 |