We fight fear with techniques and technologies that support the most gentle dental experience

Hunt Valley Dental takes a particular interest in and is particularly passionate about serving the needs of individuals with anxiety, apprehension, or fear throughout Cockeysville, Towson, Baltimore, and the greater northeast Maryland area. Dental fear is common; it manifests in various ways and may be so crippling that patients avoid visiting the dentist at all costs. Yet, routine dentist visits are essential to overall health and well-being. 

 Our team’s great privilege is to help patients overcome their fears and concerns. So, visiting our dentist, Dr. Thomas Rhodes, becomes like second nature. We use pain-free dentistry techniques and technologies, along with relaxing sedation. The specific approach that we take differs from person to person. 

Getting to the Heart of Your Fears

The vast majority of patients can trace their dental fear back to traumatic experiences at other offices in childhood. Certain dental sounds, sensations, sights, and smells can “trigger” anxiety. Easing these fears starts by openly talking about those concerns. We can then answer related questions and address those concerns with action. It is helpful to discuss the steps we take to minimize common sources of dentophobia; for instance, we use Vibraject painless injections. When applying this vibrating attachment to standard syringes, we promote the most gentle and comfortable administration of dental anesthetic. 

We also have an array of diagnostic and therapeutic technologies to promote an efficient and comfortable experience at the dentist’s office. These include using conservative micro dentistry techniques, laser dentistry for the detection of cavities, and pain-free, precision treatment of conditions like advanced gum disease. We view technology as a critical aid in maintaining exceptional, quality care.

Anesthetic and the other services and techniques mentioned above may be combined with dental sedation. Following a medical review and thorough evaluation, Dr. Rhodes will prescribe a sedative medication suited to your unique needs. All sedatives are designed to induce a state of relaxation. Sedation may be characterized as “mild,” “moderate,” or “deep.” Factors such as the severity of dentophobia will be considered when making recommendations. At Hunt Valley Dental, we offer “light” sedation with nitrous oxide and more moderate “oral conscious” sedation. You know nitrous oxide as “laughing gas.” A light sedative is delivered via a small nasal mask. Patients’ worries float away. Effects are induced quickly and pass quickly. There is no lingering drowsiness. Patients may drive themselves to and from our office. Oral conscious sedation simply refers to taking sedative medications in pill form to induce a deeper state of relaxation while remaining conscious. Effects take longer to wear off. So, patients must arrange transportation. 

More than anything, patients trust us and appreciate our genuine, kind, and non-judgmental manner. This combination of truly caring care and technology fights the dental fears that stand in the way of your best, healthiest smile. Call our Hunt Valley, MD office at (410) 771-6300 with questions. We welcome them!