You’d like to enhance your smile with cosmetic dentistry, but you’re feeling a bit nervous. Will the treatment hurt? It’s a fair question to ask – many patients avoid going to the dentist because they’re afraid it might be painful.
Fortunately, the 21st century has brought plenty of advanced technology to the world of dentistry! Treatments are more comfortable and less invasive than ever before, and many patients consider cosmetic dentistry virtually painless. To learn more about how you and your dentist can promote your comfort, keep reading.
Comfort Promoting Technology
Many dental practices these days are equipped with cutting-edge technology that helps make treatment smooth, efficient, and more accessible for anxious patients. Here’s a list of just a few amenities you might be interested in:
- Oral conscious sedation. Dental sedation typically isn’t strong enough to “put you under,” but rest assured, the medication will help you feel relaxed and dull your senses.
- Digital X-rays. These types of X-rays produce far less radiation than the traditional kind, eliminating the need to wear a lead vest while your dentist operates the scan.
- Intraoral cameras. Imagine a wand-like device with a camera on the end. That’s an intraoral camera! They’re low-profile, non-invasive, and the chairside monitor allows you to see what your dentist sees.
- Local anesthetic. In addition to the “fancier stuff,” your dentist can also administer a local anesthetic for treatments like veneers. Your mouth will be effectively numb!
Tips to Reducing Post-Treatment Soreness
Discomfort during your dental cosmetic treatment should be minimal. When you might start to feel more sore is after you return home and the anesthetic or sedation wears off. Fortunately, at-home methods are usually enough to manage the aches. Here are some tips for post-treatment care:
- Apply a cold compress to the sore area
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers as necessary
- Avoid eating on the side of your mouth that is sore
- Stick to a soft food diet
- Limit your consumption of spicy, hot, and cold foods
- Follow your dentist’s aftercare instructions
Your dentist knows what they’re doing, so simply following their aftercare instructions will go a long way towards promoting your comfort and treatment success!
Conclusion
Dentists have many ways of combating anxiety and helping you feel more at ease during your treatment. They want you to have a positive dental cosmetic experience too, after all! Don’t hesitate to contact them if you’re nervous and worried about pain.
About the Practice
At Harrisonburg Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, each of our three dentists has their own unique skillset and experiences, enabling us to provide truly comprehensive care to our patients. We offer several dental cosmetic treatments, including porcelain veneers and teeth whitening, and can administer oral conscious sedation for anxious patients. If you’d like to discuss your dental cosmetic treatment plan in more detail, contact our office at 540-432-6616 and let us know how we can help you feel more comfortable!