18 Mar I’m Nervous About Getting a Dental Implant—What Do I Need to Know?
Many people feel anxious about dental procedures, especially when it comes to getting teeth extracted or replaced. Some have extreme dental phobia, and will delay their exams or put off seeing the dentist altogether. Don’t let your fear hold you back from getting the care you need! There are many ways to relieve the anxiety or fear you feel about surgical dental procedures. Knowing what to expect and how to stay calm can help you feel more comfortable about getting a dental implant.
Dental Implants and Phobia of the Dentist
It’s totally normal to feel nervous about getting dental implants! One way to relieve anxiety at the dentist is to know exactly what is going to happen, why it’s happening, and about how long it will take.
The easiest way to think about a dental implant is a permanent, artificial tooth with a titanium metal post for an anchor. The post is like the root, holding the tooth securely in the jaw. On the end of the post is a connector, sitting just above the gumline, that holds the replacement tooth.
The process is completed in three steps:
- Tooth extraction or bone grafts: If necessary, any remaining portion of the tooth will be carefully removed to prepare for the implant. If there’s not enough healthy bone tissue to support the implant, bone grafts may be needed.
- Implant insertion: The implant posts will be surgically inserted into the jawbone. After the implant is placed, the bone needs time to heal and fuse to the post. This will create a strong foundation for the new tooth.
- Crown placement: The replacement tooth (crown) is custom-made to match your natural teeth. It is then attached to the abutment on top of the implant post, completing the implant process and restoring your smile.
Phase |
Duration |
| Surgical Removal and Bone Grafting | Surgery: 1-2 hours
Healing: 3-6 months |
| Artificial Root Placement | Surgery: ~ 1 hour
Healing: 3-6 months |
| Crown Placement | Fabrication: 1-2 weeks
Placement: ~ 1 hour |
| Pain Management Options: local anesthetic, general anesthetic, and NSAIDs while healing | |
| Anxiety Management Before Procedures: CBT, EMDR, and communication | |
| Anxiety Management During Procedures: nitrous oxide, mindfulness, breathing techniques | |
Five Ways to Reduce Extreme Dental Phobia
1: Talk to Your Dentist
Most cases of dental anxiety can be eased, relieved, or erased by telling your dentist about your fears. Letting them know you’re experiencing anxiety is the first step to feeling comfortable. Dentists are happy to support you with reassurance, information and kind words – they can also offer medications and tools to aid your comfort.
2: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CBT helps relieve anxiety by identifying and challenging irrational or negative thoughts about dental visits. It teaches you to reframe fearful thoughts into more realistic, balanced ones, helping you reduce extreme dental phobia over time and feel more confident about procedures.
3: EMDR Therapy
This treatment, often given by certified therapists, has been linked to reduced dental phobia in scientific studies. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a technique that uses bilateral simulation of the brain to reprocess a traumatic memory. If you can’t seem to overcome your phobia of the dentist, this could be the right approach for you.
4: Mindfulness Practice
For those with mild to moderate dental anxiety, practicing mindfulness or meditation can be a good tool for relieving their fears. Mindfulness allows you to focus on each moment as it happens and observe your feelings from a detached perspective. Instead of getting caught up in a specific fear or worry, look at it curiously—almost like it was a cloud, watch it for a moment, and let it go.
5: Breathing Techniques
Focusing on breathing out for longer than you breathe in can trigger your body’s relaxation response. This simple technique helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system, calming your body and making it easier to relax during moments of anxiety.
Dental Implant Surgery in Sun Lakes
Dental implants are a great way to permanently replace missing teeth and also provide a fixed solution to removable partial dentures. They’re strong, secure, and can restore your smile. Now that you have methods to reduce your dental anxiety, you can schedule a dentist appointment with confidence. Call Saba and Chiappetti Associates in SunLakes at 480- 895-2111 to request an initial consultation.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (02.24.2025). Photo by bucuresti on Pixabay.