Hypnosis in the dental practice - a relaxing and anxiety-free therapy
What does "hypnosis" mean?
In our normal state of consciousness, we usually perceive different stimuli at the same time. Under hypnosis or in trance, however, our attention is largely or even completely focused on one single object so that our mind "shuts out" the other elements in the world around us. Acting "as if in a trance" is nothing unusual. We experience this state of mind e.g. while concentrating during exercise, reading, or working. For medical use, we stimulate and utilise the human ability of "daily trance". During the hypnotherapy in the dentist's chair, your mind can leave the world around you for a short while. To put it in a nutshell, you'll feel free and relaxed.
The modern medical form of hypnosis which we apply in our practice has its own special characteristics. Our patients freely decide if or when they want to go into a trance and leave it again. In other words, the hypnotherapy is entirely based on your own free will, just like you freely decide if you take a walk in the park on a Sunday morning or prefer to stay in bed.
At a higher level of trance, people enter a somehow "automatic" state in which different actions can be performed without the slightest physical and mental effort. What's more, the patient can discover and try out new abilities. Generally speaking, this phenomenon is nothing unusual. It can be compared to the "automatism" which sets in after a period of long and intensive physical activity. For example, athletes tend to feel their legs moving "all by themselves" while on a long-distance run. In conclusion, modern hypnosis combines common human abilities with the state-of-the-art methods of medical therapy.
What are the healthy effects of hypnosis?
In many medical fields, trance can be applied as a very effective therapeutic instrument, particularly in cases of chronic diseases. In dentistry, hypnosis is useful in combination with almost every treatment (e.g. the milling of crowns), especially if the therapy requires several sessions in a row which then can even turn into a pleasant experience. Furthermore, we apply hypnosis in the following cases:
* Patients who get nervous or tense when only thinking about dental treatment are likely to calm down under hypnosis. In the course of time, they are likely to overcome their aversion against dental visits.
* In difficult cases, we offer the possibility of a hypnotherapeutic pre-treatment (i.e. before the main therapy).
* Patients who are afraid of syringes, detest the usual post-narcotic numbness or have a low tolerance of anaesthetics should try hypnotherapy for a low-pain or even pain-free treatment.
* Hypnosis is especially helpful for patients with strong gag reflexes.
* A hypnotherapy adapted to the special needs of children and adolescents can reduce their fear of the dentist, which could otherwise last a lifetime.
How does hypnosis work?
During the first phase of the trance, the patient's attention is deflected from outer stimuli to the interior of his mind. To achieve this, various methods can be applied. Basically, hypnosis should not be considered a "relaxation programme" as its effects might vary according to the individual patient's conditions. In our practice, the so-called "Modern Clinical Hypnotherapy" is applied. This method distinguishes itself by the good feeling the patient experiences when his or her perception is directed inward. Moreover, the patient can partly pre-determine this perceptive target (e.g. by concentrating on pleasant memories).
When the transition into trance is achieved, the patient will feel completely relaxed. This physical state of total detention coincides with a tranquillisation of all inner rhythms (breathing, pulse, etc.) creating a state of inward easiness.
This intensive inner experience reduces the outer perception to a minimum and distracts the patient's senses from the dental treatment carried out simultaneously. However, the patient will still be able to react to the dentist's voice and can "switch" between the treatment and his/her inner trance.
In addition to these basic characteristics, hypnotherapy has a number of special effects which can be utilised for successful dental treatment. Firstly, a treatment in trance is perceived as being much shorter than a usual dental session. Secondly, this method accelerates wound healing and contributes to avoiding complications. Finally, the dentist can work more calmly and accurately if the patient is totally relaxed, so that better treatment results can be achieved.
Hypnotherapy and KU64
We cooperate with a psychiatrist so that our patients can fully benefit from the full range of possibilities offered by hypnosis. If you wish, we can contact our psychological partner practice and arrange an appointment for you. After a preparatory talk between the hypnotherapy expert and the patient, the treatment under hypnosis will be carried out by one of our dentists in the presence of the psychiatrist.
Updated 25 June 2009, eidted by KU64, Dental Practice in Berlin
