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Dental Phobia: No Longer An Obstacle

Happy dentist patient

Did you know as much as 75% of the population has some degree of dental phobia? That is a lot of people who may be avoiding essential oral health care because they are afraid to sit down in the dental chair. Your dental phobia may be as mild as sweaty palms in the waiting room or as severe as experiencing panic attacks when you hear the dentist’s drill. Dental phobia is a very real condition that should never be dismissed.

There are many reasons that people fear or get anxious about going to a dentist. Some of the most common causes for dental phobia include the following:

  • Overall anxiety disorder
  • Your parent’s behavior towards the dentist
  • Prior painful or negative experiences
  • Feeling helpless or out of control in a dental office situation
  • Feeling embarrassed about neglecting your teeth
  • Fear of being ridiculed about neglecting your teeth
  • Fear of needles
  • Severe gag reflux

Regardless of the reason or severity of your dental phobia, you do have a way to get the dental treatment you need without suffering through anxiety. Many dentists offer sedation dentistry, or sleep dentistry. There are many forms of sedation dentistry, ranging from oral sedatives to laughing gas. Dr. Mitzi Morris, DMD helps dental phobia patients get through their dental appointments using Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas). It is a safe and conservative method to ensure you get the oral care you need. Using sedation dentistry is not just for lengthy, complex dental procedures. Many patients opt for nitrous oxide for their routine dental cleaning! It is important to note that after receiving laughing gas, you remain relaxed and lightly sedated but still able to interact with the dentist and drive yourself home.

Further breakthroughs are on the horizon when it comes to sedation dentistry. For example, many people have a fear of needles that causes them to avoid Novocain procedures such as a filling or root canal. If needles are your primary concern with the dentist, there may be a new form of anesthesia coming to dental offices soon. Researchers at the University of Buffalo have created a nasal spray that is designed to replace needle injections of dental anesthesia. Kovacaine Mist is a nasal spray form of dental anesthesia that has been found to be as effective as injectable anesthesia in four of five dental patients in recent clinical studies.

The next time your heart starts pounding when trying to schedule your six-month dental exam, remember the options in sedation dentistry that are available to you. There is no shame in admitting your dental phobia if it means you get the help you need for a healthy smile.

Posted on behalf of Mitzi D. Morris

1297 Hembree Rd Suite 202
Roswell, GA 30076

Phone: 678-459-2990

Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tuesday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wednesday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Friday: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm

Our Patient Reviews

Mitzi D. Morris, DMD, PC

4.8/ 5.0

Based on 44 reviews

  • Dr. Morris is an excellent dentist. Her ability to relate to her patients makes her a stand-out amongst those in her profession. She practices dentistry with superior technique and care. Her staff is friendly, helpful, and accommodating. I feel she hires only the best! One special mention: I suffer from panic attacks at times- along with claustrophobia. Dr. Morris is the first dentist I have ever had who helped calm my fears. Thus, my experience exceeded expectations! Great service!

    Cathy Q
  • Definitely would recommend Dr. Morris to anyone. She has been my dentist for over 8 years! Dr. Morris is extremely personable and is serious about the completing the best care possible. Great established dental team! Very accommodating to your schedule.

    Kelly T
  • Great and very educational experience. Compared to my last two dentists this experience blows them both out of the water. The staff is very friendly, and very helpful. I had to go in for a total of four visits a few weeks apart from each other. They made me feel very comfortable the entire time and kept making sure I was pleased. Getting a deep cleaning went very smoothly. It was also brought to my attention that the way I was flossing was incorrect. And have since changed methods. I worked specifically with Dr. Morris. She was very nice, and took the time to explain things. Which is a huge plus for me. Dr. Morris and the staff members worked effortlessly together. I was comfortable enough to sit back and relax, strangely enough, while having cavities drilled and fillings put in. Billing and scheduling appointments, as well as follow up for confirmation of upcoming appointments was very easy. I will say my favorite part of the experience was how friendly of an environment the staff has created. That alone is deserving of a 5 star review, and the rest is honestly icing on the cake. I highly recommend this practice on all fronts and will continue using them!

    Eric F
  • I transferred from a long-term and very good relationship with my former dentist because of a move, and I was a little apprehensive about a new dentist. Dr. Morris has been great. She is friendly, patient-concerned and the office is new, comfortable and clean. Everyone seems to enjoy working there. I feel like I'm in good hands!

    Christopher P
  • Dr. Morris and her staff are very professional. Additionally, she as well as her staff have an excellent "bedside manner." The office is new and well equipped. If one has an appointment and an earlier one opens up, Dr. Morris offers it to her patients as she did with my last appointment.

    David G
  • I have never met a staff so nice and charming. This staff will make you feel comfortable and relaxed in Dr. Morris's Spa like office and everyone is professional and approachable too. Andrea R. explained the process of my appointment and procedures and is definitely a highly-educated and thorough dental hygenist -- SHE IS A ROCKSTAR. I'm so glad that Dr. Morris and her dental team have been my "go-to" for the last 5 years, and I wont be going anywhere else! Overall - A++ Dr. Morris...highly recommended to my family and friends!!!

    Adam O
  • I've been a patient of Dr. Mitzi Morris for many years, and recommend her without reservation. The office is modern. clean and spacious. The staff has always been welcoming and very helpful. And the women who work for her as dental technicians are fantastic; they do a professional and effective deep cleaning, but with a careful, gentle touch. It is clear to me that Dr. Morris reads her professional journals and upgrades her practice to stay very current with the latest best practices in dentistry. (I have had some dentists who stopped updating their practices after leaving dental school!) With Dr. Morris you can count on receiving the very latest dental technology. Her prices are very fair, and I have never been surprised by an unexpected cost or had problems with insurance not covering services rendered.

    Bruce C
  • I have never experienced an office so down to earth, so outgoing and so willing to satisfy. If you've grown to dread the dentist then lay down your sword and give this office a shot.

    Marc Mamane

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Contact Us

Phone

678-459-2990

Office Hours

Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tuesday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wednesday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Friday: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm

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Address

1297 Hembree Rd Suite 202
Roswell, GA 30076

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