It is a classic vicious cycle: a minor dental problem causes slight discomfort. Fear of visiting the dentist leads to postponing the appointment. The damage worsens, the pain increases—and with it, the fear of a now more extensive treatment.
If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. Studies (such as those by the German Institute of Dental Research, IDZ) show that around 60–80% of people experience unease when visiting the dentist. For approximately 15%, this fear is so pronounced (odontophobia) that dental visits are avoided altogether—often with serious consequences for oral health and self-esteem.
Modern dentistry has learned an essential lesson: We do not treat teeth—we treat people. And for patients with anxiety, a structured, step-by-step approach now makes calm and pain-free treatment possible.
Level 1: Trust and Control (Psychological Guidance)
Often, the main issue is not pain but the feeling of losing control. Before any treatment begins, a specialised team explains every step in detail.
- The stop signal: We agree on a simple hand signal. If you raise your hand, treatment stops immediately plus you remain in control at all times.
Level 2: Gentle Local Anaesthesia
Fear of “the injection” is often greater than fear of the drill. With modern techniques, this discomfort is largely avoidable.
- Topical anaesthesia: Before administering the local anaesthetic, a numbing gel or spray is applied to the gums. The injection is barely noticeable—or not felt at all.
- Complete pain control: The local anaesthetic blocks pain signals entirely. You remain awake and may feel pressure or vibration, but no pain.
Level 3: Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas) – relaxation on demand
Now banned in everyday use, yet considered a gold standard in modern dental anxiety management: nitrous oxide sedation.
- How it works: You breathe a mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide through a nasal mask.
- The effect: Within minutes, a deep sense of calm and lightness sets in. Anxiety fades into the background, and the gag reflex is significantly reduced.
- The advantage: Unlike deeper forms of sedation, you are usually fit to leave the practice unassisted shortly after treatment, as the gas leaves the body quickly
Level 4: Analgosedation (Twilight Sedation)
If nitrous oxide is not sufficient, analgosedation is a proven alternative.
- The procedure: A sedative combined with a pain reliever is administered intravenously.
- The experience: You are not fully asleep, but in a relaxed, twilight-like state. You breathe independently and can respond if necessary, but the treatment is perceived as emotionally distant.
- The “memory gap” effect: The medication often causes temporary amnesia, meaning you may remember little or nothing about the procedure—a significant psychological benefit for anxious patients.
Level 5: General Anaesthesia
General anaesthesia is the last resort for patients with severe dental phobia, an extreme gag reflex, or when extensive dental rehabilitation is planned in a single session.
- Process: A specialist anaesthetist supervises the procedure. Consciousness and pain perception are completely switched off, and breathing is medically supported.
- A fresh start: You wake up, and the treatment is complete. This option can help break the cycle of fear and establish a stable foundation for future dental care.
Conclusion: No one today has to endure pain or avoid treatment out of fear or shame. The most difficult step is often the first one: booking a consultation appointment—without any treatment, just to talk. We take your concerns seriously and listen.
Learn more about our sedation and anaesthesia options at Zahnzentrum Kronberg.