Dental Anxiety can be overcome with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Dental anxiety can be overcome with CBT

The researchers conducted studies to measure the acceptability and effectiveness of hypnosis, cognitive-behavioral therapy and hypnosis individual images in the treatment of patients suffering from dental phobia

---- Dental anxiety is a problem that researchers are very concerned. In a study that was recently published in "Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics" scientists have tried to reach the different options for treating dental anxiety.

According to the results, the cognitive-behavioral therapy (known as CBT) is a much better than hypnosis, among the alternatives to general anesthesia.

A practice-based study was conducted by researchers from the Department of Clinical Psychology at the University of Wuppertal (Germany) and the Dental Hospital St. Augusta.

The researchers conducted studies to measure the acceptability and effectiveness of hypnosis, cognitive-behavioral therapy and hypnosis individual images in the treatment of patients suffering from dental phobia.

Scientists establish a pattern of four groups with four measurement occasions concomitantly. A series of 137 patients initially participated, of whom 77 completed the study with sample sizes of 19 to 29 patients in the four groups.

The people involved in the study had to complete questionnaires that explain their anxiety just before starting the study. In addition, participants had to complete questionnaires before and after the first appointment with the dentist, and again a week later before the second appointment with the dentist.

Cognitive behavioral therapy has proven to be a more effective solution than standard hypnosis. Patients who have undergone hypnosis therapy have terminated their treatment prematurely. The analysis also showed that CBT and individualized hypnosis has helped in reducing dental anxiety much more effective than general anesthesia.

Researchers have found, by measuring the effectiveness and acceptability, cognitive-behavioral therapy is the best option for treating dental phobia successfully.

TTC is a therapeutic approach that helps resolve emotional problems and disorders by implementing a systematic approach during treatment. This treatment option is very successfully used in problems such as mood disorders, anxiety, psychotic disorders and substance abuse disorders, including eating.

CBT is basically a combination of cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy, which as concluded by the researchers, works very well in the treatment of patients suffering from dental phobia (anxiety).