Dr. Waldee participated in two days of training earlier this year in the use of Botox and Juvederm, a facial filler. Both of these treatment modalities are being used more frequently now by the dental profession as part of a comprehensive approach to overall facial aesthetics. Dr. Hohimer has been using these treatments and others for several years now and has taken advanced courses in facial aesthetics.

Many women today as well as a few men are frequently being diagnosed with osteoporosis. This is a condition in which the bones become brittle due to mineral loss. The decrease in bone density can lead to increased risk of fractures of hips and other areas. To help prevent this loss of bone density a class of drugs know as bisphosphonates, ie fosamax, where developed which reduce or prevent the loss of bone as we age. These drugs work by affecting how our bodies break down bone. An unwanted side effect of these drugs occurs in the bones of the jaws known as osteonecrosis. This occurs in patients who have trauma to the bones of the jaws such as tooth extraction and fractures. In patients who take bisphosphonates the ability of their jaw bones to heal is modified and lead to serious bone destruction in some patients. As simple blood test can be used to determine a patients risk of BRONJ before any tooth extractions are performed. Your dentist should be informed on any and all drugs taken by the patient to prevent any unwanted complications during and after treatment.

Technology is changing the was in which dentistry is performed everyday. One example is how lasers are being used in dentistry from everything from preparing teeth for fillings, surgical treatments on soft tissue, and treatment of periodontal disease. Lasers create energy in the form of light, this energy can be very highly controlled which allows for cutting tissue with minimal tissue damage, bleeding, pain, and post operative complications. Often laser procedures can be performed without anesthesia. Laser treated tissues heal quickly and patients enjoy not having to be numb for most procedures. As technology improves lasers will find even more applications in dentistry that improve the lives of patients and doctors.

The practice of Leff, Weiss, Waldee & Associates is pleased to announce they are now
offering Botox and dermal filler (Juvederm, Restylane, etc.) therapy to their patients.

Botox has several applications in dentistry, most significantly in the treatment of TMJ
problems and migraine headaches (associated with TMD and teeth grinding). Botox is
also used to treat fine lines and wrinkles on the face. Dermal fillers such as Juvederm are used to fill in moderate to deep lines around the mouth and for lip augmentation.

The major advantage of having these procedures performed in our office is that we provide complete local anesthesia of the treatment areas for the dermal fillers rather than using a topical numbing cream on the skin. The use of local anesthesia provides for a virtually painless procedure. We also understand the importance of proper lip and face contours,eliminating the risk that your appearance will look "over done". All of these products are safe and FDA approved.

The doctors at Leff, Weiss, Waldee and Associates are trained to provide the best quality treatment for the most successfully outcomes. If you have any questions regarding these or any other treatments provided by our office, please don't hesitate to call. Someone will be happy to answer your questions or schedule an appointment.

Call for your appointment today! 954-424-6500

Our office will be exploring a new service to our patients that will relieve
the discomfort and gagging that many experience when a dental impression
is taken. With this new digital impression system, your dentist can take
a highly accurate 3-D impression for your crown or bridge area, completely
eliminating the previously old uncomfortable tray and putty impression.

An accurate impression is essential to a successful outcome in dentistry.
Digital impression procedures provide consistent and superior results.
A perfect fit is practically guaranteed, resulting in less time spent in the
dental office.

The offices of Leff, Weiss, Waldee and Associates is constantly incorporating
new and innovative dental technology in order to make our patients dental visits
more relaxing and less traumatic and time consuming.

» Continue reading "Digital Impression System"

Per the American Dental Association, there has not yet been much research
regarding the use of bottled water and caries (tooth decay) risk. However,
lack of exposure to fluoride does increase an individuals's risk for caries.

Most communities have fluoridated tap water whereas the majority of bottled
waters on the market do not contain optimal levels of fluoride. Individuals
who drink bottled water as their primary source of water could be missing
the decay-preventive benefit of optimally flouridated tap water.

More information on this subject can be obtained at www.ada.org/goto/bottledwater.

At the offices of Drs. Weiss, Waldee and Associates, we care about
our patients and keep them up-to-date with any information we come across
that can personally assist them with their dental care. The doctors and staff
routinely attend continuing education courses, seminars and review dental
periodicals.

We can be reached at 954-424-6500 sleepdentists@comcast.net.

Researchers in Portugal and the U.S. followed 507 children who received silver fillings, called amalgams. After a seven year period, the children’s rates of neurological symptoms showed no difference when compared to those who received resin based fillings.

Why Silver Fillings Were Considered Dangerous

Silver fillings are made of a combination of metals including mercury. Over time small amounts of mercury vapor are released. With mercury poisoning being known to damage the central nervous system and kidneys, consumer groups have been against using silver fillings to treat cavities for years.

While the possibility of neurological symptoms including tremors, vision problems, hearing deficits and coordination problems have caused consumer groups, dentists and lawmakers to call for a ban on silver fillings, an advisory panel to the United States government recently said that silver fillings are generally safe and more studies are needed into certain unanswered questions. The American Dental Association continues to maintain that the fillings are safe and should be an option for patients.

Your Choice For Treating Fillings

While silver fillings may be the best choice for treating some common dental problems such as cavities located on molars, Drs. Leff, Weiss, Waldee and Associates continue to use the latest techniques and new materials as they become available.

SOURCE: Journal of the American Dental Association, February 13, 2008.

Are your gums putting you at risk for heart disease?

One study conducted at the University of Minnesota concluded that 85 percent of heart attack patients had suffered from periodontal disease.1

Are you at risk?

The mouth is not only a porthole to the body but it is the body’s best indicator of overall health. The gums (periodontal disease) when inflamed have been linked to heart disease, stroke, diabetes and respiratory problems. Researchers believed the bacteria that causes periodontal disease can come loose and move throughout the body due to tasks as common as brushing, flossing or chewing. It was found that the worse the infection a patient has, the more likely the bacterial are to become loose from these tasks and enter the bloodstream.

If the bacteria enters the bloodstream it can travel to your arteries and irritate them just as it affects your gums. This could cause arterial plaque to build up and result in hardening and affect blood flow. This plaque can also come loose and travel to other parts of the body such as the brain.

What you can do to protect yourself?

You can help prevent gum disease by brushing and flossing your teeth on a daily basis, limiting between meal snacks and visiting your dentist on a regular basis. Your dentist may even give you a special rinse before having a dental procedure to help neutralize any bacteria and maintain a healthy mouth.

Contact Drs. Leff, Weiss and Waldee today to protect your overall health at 954-424-6500.

There are many steps that the office of Drs. Leff, Weiss, Waldee and
Associates take to prevent the spread of infection. We follow the
guidelines for infection-control issued by the Center of Disease Control
and Prevention.

Handwashing & Using Gloves - The doctors, dental assistants and dental
hygienists wash their hands and put on fresh gloves before starting
all treatments.

Protective Clothing - The doctors, dental assistants and dental hygienists
wear protective clothing such as face shields, eye goggles, masks and
lab jackets while they provide treatment.

Dental Hand Pieces - All dental hand pieces and instruments are disinfected
and heat sterilized after each use.

Disposable Items - Many of our dental materials such as gloves, masks, wipes,
suction/water tube tips, needles and scalpel blades are used only once
and then disposed of in order to maintain a clean and safe office.

Waste Materials - Needles and other sharp items are disposed of in special
puncture-proof containers. Other contaminated waste is disposed of in
special bags.

All patients should take notice of the above precautions we take at the office
of Drs. Leff, Weiss, Waldee and Associate when they come in for their
dental appointments!

Nearly 20 percent of the U.S. population has some type of disability,
with approximately 12 percent of the population considered severely
disabled. The provision of dental care to such patients requires
consideration beyond routine approaches.

At the office of Drs. Leff, Weiss, Waldee and Associates we have
established a relaxing treatment environment that can be used to
accommodate special-needs patients in the general dental practice as
opposed to referring them for dental treatment in the hospital.

Special-care dentistry is the delivery of dental care tailored to the
individual needs of patients who have disabling medical conditions
or mental or psychological limitations that require consideration
beyond routine approaches.

Care for special-needs patients requires dental skills that are up to date.
The doctors and staff at the office of Drs. Leff, Weiss, Waldee and
Associates regularly enroll in and attend continuing education classes
and seminars throughout the year.

Please call our office 954-424-6500 if we can be of assistance to someone
who is entrusted with the care and well being of a special-needs patient.

Regular dental check-ups are a necessary part of your overall health.
Dental ailments can cause everything from bad breath and tooth loss
to more serious health problems such as infections and cancer. The
following problems can be prevented and/or treated by visiting your
dentist on a regular basis:

Gingivitis - mild inflammation of the gums indicated by bleeding during
brushing and flossing.

Gum Disease - inflammation and/or infection of the gums and bone that
support the teeth. This is the major reason for teeth to shift, loosen
or fall out.

Periodontitis - the most serious state of gum disease where plaque has
spread to roots causing infection and destroying the bone and gums that
hold teeth in place.

Plaque - a sticky, colorless film of bacteria which covers the teeth. The
bacteria converts sugars and starches into harmful acids that attack
tooth enamel, breaking it down and causing cavities.

Abscess - a very serious dental condition consisting of a pocket of pus
which has formed at the tip of teeth roots and can lead to more serious
infections if not addressed with immediate treatment.

Bad Breath - an unpleasant odor caused by leftover particles of food collecting
bacteria between the teeth, on the tongue and around the gums. Brushing,
flossing and proper cleaning of dentures can help prevent this condition.

Make an appointment with the sedation dentist of Fort Lauderdale or give us a call at 954-424-6500

Our office has been fortunate enough to receive a generous donation
from our patient of many years, Mike Michelson.

This is an antique children's dental chair dating back before 1900. It
is a folding traveling dental chair. The fashion of the time was for a
dentist to travel from town to town treating children with dental problems.
He would fold the chair, put it in his buggy and travel to the next town.

We welcome all our patients and friends to the office of Dr. Leff, Weiss,
Waldee and Associates to see this extremely rare antique currently
on display in our reception area.

Per the ADA News, October 2007, a new study posted by the American Academy of Pediatrics
says that neither breastfeeding nor its duration is associated with increased risk of early
childhood caries. The study was conducted by researchers from the University of Rochester
(N.Y.) School of Medicine and Dentistry, the New York University School of Medicine and the
American Academy of Pediatrics.

In the study, Mexican-American children had the highest levels of early childhood caries.

Lower family income and maternal smoking were cited as risk factors for caries in primary teeth.

The authors of the study emphasized the need to target children living in poverty, Mexican American
children and those whose mothers smoke or smoked during pregnancy for caries risk assessment
and regular preventive dental care.

Here at Dr. Leff, Weiss, Waldee and Associates we keep up to date with the latest studies and
findings related to all areas of dentistry.

Here at Dr Leff, Weiss, Waldee, and Associates our work with special needs
patients has had an impact not only at the local level but also around the
state. Many of our patients come from miles around to receive the
specialized services we provide. So even if it’s a bit of a drive we would
love to see you here!

Dentistry as a profession is in a continuing state of change and renewal,
with new techniques and technologies introduced almost on a monthly basis.
We at Dr Leff, Weiss, Waldee and Associates believe it is important to stay
up-to-date with the latest information pertaining to our area of practice.
In addition to the Florida requirements for dental continuing education our
dentists have logged over 150 combined hours of continuing education each
year. This allows us to keep a steady pace with the advancement of our
profession, as well as offer our patients the most current information,
techniques, and technologies available.

Dental infections can come in many forms. The most common is the dental
cavity. Cavities are, simply put, a bacterial infection of the tooth.
Unfortunately there is no antibiotic on the market today that can cure this
type of infection. The optimal treatment for this type of infection is
early recognition and restoration (filling). Sometimes these cavities or
infections can go unnoticed until they get deep enough to begin causing pain
or sensitivity in the tooth. If left untreated at this stage the infection
can proceed into the nerve of the tooth at which point the tooth may need a
root canal. The infection can proceed beyond the tooth at this point to
infect the surrounding bone and tissues which can result in more intense
pain and swelling. If the infection is allowed to spread beyond this point
it can cause sever health risks like sepsis (a very serious infection of the
blood).
All this comes from just one little tooth! At Weiss Waldee and Associates
we like to focus on prevention. Correcting problems before they become
problems is absolutely the best treatment for our patients and our treatment
recommendations are founded on this philosophy. If you think you may have a
cavity make an appointment today for an evaluation, your teeth will thank
you!

At Dr Weiss Waldee and Associates we handle new patient visits a little
differently than the average office. Our philosophy is simple; excellence,
education, and service. As a new patient in our practice your first visit
with us is usually around an hour. In addition to giving you a thorough
hard and soft tissue examination, this extended time gives us the
opportunity to fully discuss your concerns and needs as a patient as well as
educating you about your dental problems and the recommended solutions. We
at Weiss Waldee and Associates firmly believe that spending the extra time
making you feel welcome with lay the foundation for a great relationship in
the future. We are looking forward to working with you!

One of the main benefits of working with a group like Weiss Waldee
and Associates is the chance to solve your dental problems with a number of
professionals and specialists all in the same building. At Weiss Waldee and
Associates we approach patient care as a team. Each individual contributes
his or her knowledge and expertise for the benefit of the whole.
Another big advantage of working with a group is extended hours of
operation. At Weiss Waldee and Associates we work 6 days a week, including
Saturday. This gives us a unique opportunity to handle dental emergencies
whenever they occur. If you have a dental emergency or just a really tight
weekly schedule be sure to take full advantage of our weekend hours and contact the sedattion dentists.

Do you suffer from frequent headaches, jaw pain, migraines, or
muscle aches around the neck and jaw? This could be a sign of Myofascial
Pain Dysfunction or Tempromandibular Dysfunction. Myofascial Pain is a
disorder of the muscles of the face, jaw, and neck that can result in
headaches, muscle aches, and can exacerbate migraine headaches.
Tempromandibular Dysfunction or TMD is a disorder specific to the jaw joints
and can result in chronic clicking or popping in the jaws or even pain and
limited opening with the jaws. Dr Henry, a recent addition to our team, has
received specialized training in how to deal with these and other chronic
pain disorders of the face neck and jaw. If feel you may be dealing with
these or other types of head and neck pain make an appointment today!

To View all of the Sleep Dentist Videos

Amalgam or “silver fillings” have been getting a great deal of negative
press lately. From its alleged effects on the body to the fact that they
are not tooth colored amalgam seems like a pretty lousy restorative
material.

However the truth is that amalgam when used properly is one of the longest
lasting restorations in the mouth. The average amalgam placed in the mouth
has a life-span of around 15-20 years. A composite or tooth colored
restoration has a life-span of only 8-10 years. Amalgams also have a
superior wear resistance as well as compressive strength to composite and in
many cases are more appropriate to place in posterior teeth. Furthermore
amalgam is in many cases much more affordable than composite restorations.
The ADA has been studying the effects of amalgam on the body for decades and
currently there is no data to support the claim that amalgam has deleterious
health effects despite what many may claim.

At Dr Leff Weiss and Waldee we believe that amalgam has been and still is a
very good restorative material when placed properly. Although it has it’s
limitations in cosmetically sensitive areas, amalgam is a long-lasting,
strong, and affordable alternative to composite.

The cost of dentistry over the years has kept pace with economic growth and
inflation. Compensation from dental insurance companies however has not
changed since the 1960's. This can make paying for your dentistry a bit of
a chore. We at Dr Leff Weiss and Waldee understand this concern and proudly
offer Care Credit Financing. Care Credit is a fully portable line of credit
that qualified patients can use to finance the cost of their dentistry.
Care credit is portable meaning it can be used for any member of your family
not only at our office but at any dental, medical, or veterinary office that
accepts Care Credit. With Care Credit dental care is easily affordable.

Wisdom teeth have been a dental problem for hundreds of years. Essentially,
wisdom teeth are a part of our bodies that we no longer use. Often times
when wisdom teeth grow in the simply do not have the room in the jaw to grow
in properly. This means that a majority of wisdom teeth out there are
impacted. An impacted wisdom tooth can sometimes hurt and in severe cases
become infected. We at Dr Leff Weiss and Waldee believe in preventing these
and other problems before they start by extracting impacted wisdom teeth.
We currently have an oral surgeon on staff who is trained in the latest
techniques of IV sedation and wisdom tooth extraction ensuring your wisdom
tooth procedure will be a positive experience.

In an effort to stay ahead of the technology curve we at Dr Leff Weiss and
Waldee have added digital radiography to our office. Digital radiography is
a new way of taking x-rays. The sensor uses on tenth of the radiation of a
normal x-ray ensuring the least amount of exposure possible with no
compromise to the diagnostic result. The x-rays produced by digital
radiography also can be analyzed to a much greater degree than normal x-rays
allowing us to zoom in and diagnose problems long before they start.

Ever have a tooth that hurts when you bite down on something hard? This
could be a sign of cracked tooth syndrome. A cracked tooth can very in
severity from a very mild crack which produces only minor discomfort upon
biting something hard to a severe crack which produces spontaneous pain.
Treatment of a cracked tooth also varies in accordance with the severity.
This means the tooth may be treated with something as simple as a bonded
restoration to something more involved like a root canal and crown. If you
feel you have a cracked tooth make an appointment with Dr Leff Weiss and
Waldee for an evaluation today.

We all have them. Some of us have more than others. So what are they and
how do they form?

Basically a cavity is a bacterial infection in your tooth. The native
bacteria living in each of our mouths feed off the simple sugars that we eat
throughout the day. As a by-product of digesting this sugar these bacteria
excrete a strong acid called lactic acid. It is this lactic acid that
erodes away the surfaces of our teeth and eventually causes decay.
Fortunately the solution has remained very simple and unchanged for decades.

Brushing your teeth regularly is the single best way to prevent decay.
Tooth brushing physically removes the bacteria from the teeth. If they are
not on your teeth when they produce the acid the cavities don’t form!
Another way to limit the bacterial activity in your mouth is to deny them
their food source. Limiting the amount of simple sugars you ingest, things
like candy, sodas, and some starches, keeps the lactic acid level in your
mouth below the cavity forming threshold.

Of course once cavities form it is the dentist’s job to fix it with a
restoration or filling. However prevention of further decay begins with
good oral hygiene and diet practices. Although it is very important to have
all of your existing cavities restored the most important aspect of your
dental health is the daily discipline you cultivate. Remember the power of
a winning smile and healthy teeth lies within YOU.

If it has been a long time since you been to the dentist make and appointment today.

At the office of Drs. Leff, Weiss, Waldee and Associates we know
that oral cancer claims one life every hour in the United States - and
the survival rate has hardly changed in the last 40 years. This
disease is of great concern to our practice because oral cancer is
very curable if discovered early.

Our practice has incorporated ViziLite Plus and VELscope, both
technologically advanced oral screening tools, to identify things
that could lead to cancer at their earliest stages.

ViziLite Plus and VELscope screen for oral lesions that may lead to
cancer just as mammograms screen for breast cancer, PAP smears
screen for cervical cancer, and PSA tests screen for prostrate cancer.

The procedure is simple, painless, non-invasive and takes only one
or two minutes. Our practice will be performing these screenings at
the annual check-up for an affordable cost of $65.00.

The truth about amalgam

Amalgam or “silver fillings” have been getting a great deal of negative
press lately. From its alleged effects on the body to the fact that they
are not tooth colored amalgam seems like a pretty lousy restorative
material.
However the truth is that amalgam when used properly is one of the longest
lasting restorations in the mouth. The average amalgam placed in the mouth
has a life-span of around 15-20 years. A composite or tooth colored
restoration has a life-span of only 8-10 years. Amalgams also have a
superior wear resistance as well as compressive strength to composite and in
many cases are more appropriate to place in posterior teeth. Furthermore
amalgam is in many cases much more affordable than composite restorations.
The ADA has been studying the effects of amalgam on the body for decades and
currently there is no data to support the claim that amalgam has deleterious
health effects despite what many may claim.
At Dr Leff Weiss and Waldee we believe that amalgam has been and still is a
very good restorative material when placed properly. Although it has it’s
limitations in cosmetically sensitive areas, amalgam is a long-lasting,
strong, and affordable alternative to composite.

We all have them. Some of us have more than others. So what are they and
how do they form?
Basically a cavity is a bacterial infection in your tooth. The native
bacteria living in each of our mouths feed off the simple sugars that we eat
throughout the day. As a by-product of digesting this sugar these bacteria
excrete a strong acid called lactic acid. It is this lactic acid that
erodes away the surfaces of our teeth and eventually causes decay.
Fortunately the solution has remained very simple and unchanged for decades.
Brushing your teeth regularly is the single best way to prevent decay.
Tooth brushing physically removes the bacteria from the teeth. If they are
not on your teeth when they produce the acid the cavities don’t form!
Another way to limit the bacterial activity in your mouth is to deny them
their food source. Limiting the amount of simple sugars you ingest, things
like candy, sodas, and some starches, keeps the lactic acid level in your
mouth below the cavity forming threshold.
Of course once cavities form it is the dentist’s job to fix it with a
restoration or filling. However prevention of further decay begins with
good oral hygiene and diet practices. Although it is very important to have
all of your existing cavities restored the most important aspect of your
dental health is the daily discipline you cultivate. Remember the power of
a winning smile and healthy teeth lies within YOU.

Periodontal or “gum” disease affects a large portion of the population.
Periodontal disease is caused by the bacteria living in our mouths and can
result in bad breath, gum recession, tooth sensitivity or tooth loss.
Periodontal disease is a chronic disease. Like diabetes or high blood
pressure a regular maintenance routine is the best way to control the
disease over time. At Dr Leff, Weiss, and Waldee we have a periodontist on
staff who is specially trained to manage periodontal disease and help you
maintain healthy gums and teeth for a lifetime.

In an effort to continue providing quality dentistry in a safe and
comfortable environment, we a Dr Leff, Weiss, and Waldee are finishing up a
major remodeling project in our office. Stop by today to see all the great
changes we have made.

Set your VCR
Program your TiVo

Dr. Lee Weiss will be a featured guest on NBC 6, "South Florida Today" on Thursday, May 24 at 10 am.

Dr. Weiss will be speaking about cosmetic dentistry and treating phobic patients with sedation dentistry.

You can listen in your car on 87.7 FM or watch live on NBC6.net

What is sleep dentistry?
Sleep Dentistry involves any sort of dental care performed while a person is fully or partially asleep. Using Nitrous Oxide Gas, drugs given in pill form or through an I.V. (tube connected directly into a blood vessel through a special needle), anesthetic gasses or a combination of these, a person can sleep through treatment.

What is anesthesia and what are my options of anesthesia for dental work?
Anesthesia (from the Greek; not feeling) refers to any method used to eliminate feeling or pain. There are two main classes of anesthesia in medicine and dentistry: general and local.

General anesthesia refers to not only the elimination of feeling but also the loss of consciousness. By the administration of drugs, the person receiving the general anesthesia essentially goes to sleep -- a deep sleep. During the procedures, their health and breathing are monitored by special doctors to assure safety. While the person "sleeps" procedures are done without any pain or discomfort.

Local anesthesia concerns the loss of feeling in a specific area of the body. The drugs for local anesthesia are placed at or near the site of the work and eliminate any feeling just in that area. In dentistry, these are often referred to as Novocaine injections. With local anesthesia the person is awake and aware yet feels no discomfort.

What is the difference between anesthesia and sedation?
Anesthesia specifically deals with the elimination of feeling or pain. Sedation refers to consciousness or awareness. It is an altering of perception that allows a person to be calmer and more relaxed which often reduces the perception of discomfort.

In dentistry, sedation is used to calm a person and used with a local anesthetic to eliminate the feeling of pain.

What is the difference between sedation and general anesthesia?
Sedation involves the use (administration) of drugs that calm and put a person in a drowsy, sleep-like state. When a person is sedated, they still have their reflexes and can be somewhat responsive to questions and commands. Sedation can be achieved using pills or drugs introduced in an I.V. Sedation is often used in the dentist's office

General anesthesia uses drugs to produce a deep, unconscious sleep state. While under general anesthesia, a person is fully asleep and unresponsive to questions and commands. General anesthesia is often in surgical center environments and is administered (provided) by Anesthesiologists (Doctors) or specially trained Anesthetists under a doctors supervision.

Who can benefit from sleep dentistry?
Anyone with the following can benefit from some form of sleep dentistry:
People with severe fears or phobias about dental work;
People with uncontrollable or severe gag reflexes that cannot receive care in the traditional manner;
People with medical conditions that make dental care in the traditional manner unsafe or uncomfortable;
People who are unable to use local anesthetics (lidocaine, mepivicaine, articaine, bupivicaine, prilocaine, etc.) to get numb;
People who cannot get numb;
People who wish a great deal of care to be done at a single visit.

What is dental phobia?
The word phobia means "fear" or "dread." It is an extreme, and often debilitating, fear. Dental phobia indicates a fear of dentistry so strong that it prevents a person from even visiting a dentist.

The fear itself can have many causes. In its simplest form, the fear is based on unpleasant or painful experiences with dental care in the past. Most often these experiences occur when a person is very young and highly impressionable, leaving them uncontrollably fearful as an adult.

In many people, this fear and dread is made worse by the embarrassment and shame they feel. Either because they are ashamed of the condition of their teeth and mouth or because they think that they "shouldn't be like this," their embarrassment further prevents them from visiting a dentist. There is the fear that they may be blamed, ridiculed or harshly judged by the dentist and staff.

What can be done about dental phobia?
What many phobic people want is to be able to have their dental work done without pain, fear or awareness. In dentistry this can be accomplished in two ways. For the dental phobic with a milder fear, sedation or the use of anxiety reducing drugs can be used to calm them. While in this calm state, dental work can be accomplished.

For those with a more severe and debilitating fear, general anesthesia (that is, being completely asleep ) is effective. The fearful person can have most or all of their dental work done while being totally asleep and unconscious.