Dr. Pantas — building trust in three minutes
Three short insights: where dental anxiety comes from, who will be treating you, and how we combine competence with a sense of safety.
Fear of the dentist — you are not alone
Dental anxiety is widespread in Germany. Up to 80% of the population feel at least somewhat uneasy before a dental visit. In 5 to 12% of people, the fear is so pronounced that it is classified as dental phobia (odontophobia) and leads those affected to avoid the dentist entirely for years. If you too are afraid of the dentist, there is absolutely no need to feel ashamed — and you are definitely not alone.
Symptoms of dental anxiety
Dental anxiety manifests itself in various ways — sometimes days before the scheduled appointment:
- Physical: racing heart, sweating, nausea, trembling, dry mouth, muscle tension
- Psychological: sleep problems before the appointment, feelings of panic, ruminating thoughts, avoidance behaviour
- Behavioural: repeatedly cancelling appointments, avoiding the dentist for years, enduring severe toothache rather than seeking treatment
Causes of dental anxiety
Dental anxiety usually has specific triggers:
- Negative experiences: painful or traumatic treatments in the past — especially in childhood
- Loss of control: the feeling of being at someone's mercy and unable to intervene
- Sounds and smells: the sound of the drill or the typical dental surgery smell causes discomfort in many people
- Feelings of shame: many anxious patients feel ashamed of the condition of their teeth, which raises the barrier even further
- Transferred anxiety: anxious parents can unconsciously pass their dental anxiety on to their children
- Gag reflex: a pronounced gag reflex can make treatments more difficult and intensify the fear
Consequences of untreated dental anxiety
The most serious consequence of dental anxiety is avoiding necessary treatment. This can lead to:
- Progressive tooth decay (caries) up to and including tooth loss
- Untreated periodontitis with bone loss
- Chronic toothache and inflammation
- Effects on general health (cardiovascular system, diabetes)
- Social withdrawal due to visibly damaged teeth
- A vicious circle: the longer you stay away, the more treatment becomes necessary, and the greater the fear becomes
The good news: this cycle can be broken. At our practice we have treated patients who had not seen a dentist for more than 10 years. The first step is always the hardest — and we make it as easy as possible.
What is an anxious patient?
Someone who dreads visiting the dentist does not necessarily suffer from dental anxiety. Conceptually, a clear distinction must be made between "anxiety" and "fear". Fear of the dentist or of a specific treatment always relates to a particular situation or object and is frequently caused by bad experiences.
Anxiety about the dentist is a rather unspecific state that often cannot be precisely defined and is triggered by anticipatory anxiety. This means there are several degrees of dental anxiety, which can vary in intensity from person to person.
Why is dental anxiety such a problem?
Regular visits to the dentist are much like other preventive health check-ups: they are not strictly compulsory, but should nevertheless take place at fixed intervals. If you see the dentist regularly, many complaints can be detected and treated at an early stage. If you postpone check-up appointments or important examinations out of fear, serious dental problems can develop.
Even when acute toothache occurs, dental anxiety makes the situation worse. Pain can intensify, and inflammation can become so severe that a hospital stay becomes unavoidable. In addition, dental problems and the acute state of anxiety before a dental visit can have a negative effect on blood pressure as well as heart and breathing rate.
It is therefore worth learning to deal with your fear and finding the method against dental anxiety that suits you best. Dr. Pantas offers you several options for this, so that dental problems do not worsen and your everyday life is not restricted. Together with your dentist, you can get to the bottom of your dental phobia and tackle it.
Dr. Pantas — the dentist for anxious patients in Düsseldorf
A dentist should be empathetic and gentle with every patient. This applies especially to anxious patients. You should therefore speak quite openly and honestly about your anxiety or fear. Dr. Pantas specialises in anxious patients and can therefore address your fears in a targeted way. There are several options you can consider for your dental treatment in Düsseldorf.
Facts about the treatment of anxious patients in Düsseldorf
Download the key facts about the treatment of anxious patients in Düsseldorf (PDF, in German) quickly and easily.
Music therapy for dental anxiety
As part of his doctoral thesis, dentist Dr. Pantas researched the effect of music on anxious patients before, during and after dental treatment between 2010 and 2011. In 2012, his doctoral thesis entitled "Wirkungsverlauf von Musik als anxiolytische Maßnahme beim Zahnarzt" (The course of effect of music as an anxiolytic measure at the dentist) was examined and awarded the grade "very good" (magna cum laude).
Dr. Pantas conducted the study in order to research a method that reduces patients' anxiety and makes the treatment of anxious patients easier. The study shows that music, used correctly, is effective in reducing fear of the dentist in all phases of treatment.
How does music therapy work?
There are various approaches to tackling dental anxiety. In the case of a pronounced dental phobia, the anxiety can be treated psychologically, which can achieve long-term results.
As a supporting measure, or in cases of moderate dental anxiety, targeted music therapy can already lessen the fear of the dentist. For this purpose, relaxing music can be played to anxious patients before, during and after the dental treatment. This is done through noise-cancelling headphones, so that the patient can concentrate fully on the music. This lowers stress levels and heart rate shortly before and during the treatment.
The study carried out also showed that the relaxing music reduces the perception of pain. Dental treatment by dentist Dr. Pantas is therefore experienced as more pleasant. In cases of severe dental anxiety, treatment under general anaesthesia can be considered.
Our methods for anxious patients
Depending on the severity of your anxiety, we offer various methods, which can also be combined with one another:
Nitrous oxide sedation
Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is a well-established and safe method of reducing anxiety. You breathe in a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen through a small nasal mask. Within a few minutes, a feeling of relaxation and mild euphoria sets in. You remain fully conscious throughout, can speak and respond to instructions — but feel calm and at ease.
The advantages: the effect sets in quickly and wears off completely within a few minutes after the treatment. You can then drive home on your own. Nitrous oxide is also suitable for children and is a good solution particularly for mild to moderate dental anxiety.
Twilight sedation
With twilight sedation (intravenous sedation), a sedative is administered through a venous line. You are in a state between wakefulness and sleep — relaxed and free of anxiety, but generally still responsive. Most patients can hardly remember the treatment afterwards.
Twilight sedation is particularly suitable for moderate to severe dental anxiety and involves less effort than general anaesthesia. However, you will need someone to accompany you home after the treatment.
Dental treatment under general anaesthesia
For pronounced dental phobia or extensive procedures, we offer dental treatment under general anaesthesia. An experienced anaesthetist accompanies the entire treatment and monitors your vital signs. You sleep through the whole procedure and only wake up once everything is done.
General anaesthesia also makes it possible to carry out several treatments in a single session — ideal for patients who have not seen a dentist for years and require more extensive treatment.
Music therapy
As a complementary measure or for mild anxiety: music can lower stress levels and heart rate. Music therapy can also be combined with all other methods.
Your first visit to us
We know that the first step is the hardest. That is why your first appointment with us works like this:
- Getting-to-know-you consultation: we talk calmly about your fears — no time pressure, no treatment, no drill. You only sit in the chair if you want to.
- Assessment: when you are ready, we look at your teeth together. We explain every step beforehand and stop immediately if you give a signal.
- Treatment plan: we discuss what needs to be done, in what order, and which method of anxiety reduction suits you best.
- You set the pace: whether we do everything in one session (under anaesthesia) or proceed step by step — you decide.
In our guide, we have also compiled 6 tips against dental anxiety that can help you even before your first visit.
Don't hesitate — book an appointment with Dr. Pantas, your dentist for anxious patients in Düsseldorf. Speak openly about your fears, and we will respond to your needs with the sensitivity they deserve.
Frequently asked questions for anxious patients
What can I do about severe dental anxiety?
What happens at the first appointment as an anxious patient?
Do you offer nitrous oxide for relaxation?
Can every treatment be carried out under general anaesthesia?
What is the difference between nitrous oxide, twilight sedation and general anaesthesia?
What does treatment cost as an anxious patient?
As an anxious patient, can I have several treatments done at once?
I haven't been to the dentist for years — am I embarrassed for no reason?
Visiting the dentist without fear
Take heart — the first step is a no-obligation conversation. Dr. Pantas and his team will respond to your fears with empathy.
Book an appointment online