THE USE OF HYPNOSIS IN DENTISTRY

Helen S. was a young housewife with broken teeth and badly infected gums. She had long refused all dental treatment. A toothache had finally driven her to see Dr. George V. Roston, director of dental medicine at the Institute for Research in Hypnosis. Ten minutes after getting in the chair, she was in a light trance. Roston said, "I told her to imagine she was sunning herself on a beach." It wasn’t long before Helen S. was cured of her dental phobia.

Fear of dentists is a common phobia and perhaps one reason why members of that profession have been among the most enthusiastic advocates of hypnosis.

Many people fear dentistry and must overcome their fears and have their work performed. It has been said that more than 30% of the people in this country never visit a dentist. The main reason for this is simply fear. It is here that hypnosis is of utmost value to both patient and dentist.

Almost every dentist has encountered patients who are terribly fearful of dentistry. Appointments are made and broken. For such a patient, hypnosis can be a welcome solution to the problem.

Marga O’Brien Zack has over 20 years experience clinically. Her extensive work with thousands of clients in this period provides her with a wide background and a relaxed, competent manner combined with common sense, compassion and understanding

Hypnosis may be beneficial to patients who fall into the following categories.

  • Phobia of dentists
  • Resistance to anesthesia
  • Inability to relax
  • Inability to control gag reflex
  • Low pain threshold
  • Bruxism
  • Difficulty with dentures
  • Children’s dentistry

ANESTHESIA

 It is commonly believed that the main use of hypnosis in dentistry is for purposes of anesthesia. Anesthesia is important at times, but it is too easy to use drugs rather than take the time to produce hypnotic anesthesia unless there is some reason which contraindicates the use of drugs. There are other more important uses.

GAGGING

There is a normal gag reflex, but it is possible to control it voluntarily. Some people find this impossible, and it then presents quite a problem for the dentist. Gagging can be controlled with suggestion under hypnosis. It will invariably be found that this tendency is psychologically caused.

Behind the gagging symptom will be found some past experience, or perhaps two or three related ones. While he may not consciously remember the event, it is lodged in his subconscious and any approach to the mouth is unconsciously associated with the prior. One of the most common experiences will be found to be a tonsillectomy. Choking on something is also a common one.

BRUXISM

Another dental problem often of psychological genesis is bruxism. While malocclusion may be present, the grinding of teeth often is purely a psychological symptom. Usually it can be ended by locating the causes through hypnosis. There seem to be one of two possible factors behind this symptom. The first involves the phrase "grit your teeth and bear it," or, feelings of hostility, anger and resentment may bring a need to grind the teeth.

Sometimes both are present. It may be organ language. In most bruxism cases, the patient has strong feelings of hostility which are repressed. Then he grinds his teeth to express them. If these emotions can be discharged or vented in an acceptable way, there is no further need for teeth grinding.

SALIVATION

 With a patient in hypnosis, it will be found that certain bodily processes can be controlled through suggestion. Salivation is one. With a good subject, it is often unnecessary to use a saliva ejector.

RAISING THE PAIN THRESHOLD

With the relaxation developed while under hypnosis, there is a spontaneous raising of the pain threshold. A frightened patient cannot relax. A hypnotized patient will relax in spite of his fears.

It is difficult to prove scientifically, but dentists and others who use hypnosis are aware that the rate of healing seems to be greatly accelerated.

EXTENDED ANESTHESIA

 The effect of any drug wears off within a short time and pain may follow. Here is one application of hypnotic anesthesia which is of great advantage. It can be extended for several days if necessary. When the patient has been injected with a drug, it often is easy to continue the effect with hypnotic anesthesia.

DISTRACTION

 Distraction of attention under hypnosis can allow the patient to be much more comfortable while work is performed. While hypnotized, a patient can be instructed to listen to music of his own selection, or he can imagine a TV program or a movie. He still will respond easily to directions from the dentist. It is particularly effective with children.

BITE REGISTRATION AND IMPRESSIONS

 With a patient in hypnosis, bite registration and impressions can be taken more accurately. Dentures can be better fitted. This is largely due to the greater relaxation of the jaw muscles. Every dentist encounters patients who claim their dentures do not fit and cannot be worn comfortably. In this situation, the patient probably is unconsciously rejecting the idea of wearing dentures, hence none are comfortable. Often hypnotic suggestion given in a positive way can bring comfort.

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