Could Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Work for You?
While sedation has often been used to help patients with dental anxiety receive treatment, it is not a long-term option, since its effects are limited. Therapy, on the other hand, can help patients move past their dental fear, so they can begin seeking regular preventive care, and restorative treatment as needed.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), in particular, has been proven effective at helping patients manage many forms of anxiety disorders, including depression. This therapeutic approach focuses on making behavioral changes that can improve a person’s quality of life, by helping them push through their fear.
In fact, in a study recently conducted by King’s College in London, nearly 80 percent of the patients with dental anxiety that underwent CBT were able to receive dental treatment without the need for sedation, and another 6 were able to receive treatment with sedation. The average number of visits required for CBT to be effective was only five, too, making CBT a fast, yet lasting approach to coping with dental anxiety.