Orthodontics and Dental Phobia


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There is a lot of social pressure by way of the media to have good teeth, and hence the field of orthodontics has grown considerably in recent years. Thanks to many new technologies and techniques, you now have a much broader choice of techniques and materials you can opt for when it comes to selecting dental products, and yet despite this dental phobia remains an issue in the field of orthodontics.

What is orthodontics?

‘Orthodontics’ is a very general term and encompasses any procedure that aims to straighten teeth. Very few people are born with naturally perfectly straight teeth, and most of us have to contend ourselves with years of braces and all that entails. Many of you might opt for orthodontic treatment if you want to feel more confident about your smile, while others will in fact be more concerned about their mouth’s hygiene and health. Crooked teeth are rife with nooks and crannies into which food can be caught, leading to long term decay.


Most orthodontics involves the use of braces, of which there are now very many different types available. The conventional image of braces as massive cumbersome metal things isn’t entirely relevant now as braces can be made quite subtle and comfortable thanks to new technologies and materials.

Dental phobia and orthodontics

The fixing of braces can be an arduous process, and if you suffer from a dental phobia it can be doubly uncomfortable. Often teeth will have to be removed to allow for the fitting of your braces, and tooth extraction can exacerbate many phobics’ fears as it involves many elements of dentistry that you may be afraid of. These include anaesthesia and needles, and while often braces aren’t strictly speaking a necessary treatment, they are one that you may want despite your phobia. If this is the case then the best course of action will always be to consult your dentist about the best way to go forwards. Dental phobia is now recognised as a phenomenon that seriously affects many people, and so modern dentists are growing both in their understanding of it and their ability to deal with your fears.

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