Hypnosis and relaxation

Hypnosis is a procedure characterized by focused attention which allows the conscious mind to dissociate from outside stimuli and be absorbed in some activity, image or feeling. It enables you to experience changes in sensations, perceptions, thoughts and behaviour using the power of the mind and without drugs.

Initially, the patient is taught to enter hypnosis through an induction process which, as it includes suggestions for relaxation and well-being, is normally a very pleasurable experience. The therapist is only the guide making the suggestions and the decision whether or not to follow these suggestions remains under the patient's control. Some patients go into a 'trance state' whilst others simply have an intense new focus of attention. These states of mind appear to be a natural part of human nature and every day life. With practice, most patients can learn to do this spontaneously.

In Dentistry we use can hypnosis and deep relaxation techniques such as Yoga Nidra to retrain the body to relax during dental treatment, become less fearful of visits to the dentist and sometimes to provide pain relief and thus avoid the use of local anaesthetic. Under deep hypnosis a subject can make an area feel completely numb and even have a tooth extracted without feeling a thing. In one experiment subjects were able to make every alternate tooth numb using hypnosis – a feat unable to be replicated using local anaesthetic drugs.

Often we use hypnosis in conjunction with Nitrous Oxide sedation (laughing gas) to enhance its effect and provide even deeper relaxation.

Self-hypnosis can also be taught for stress-relief and auto-suggestions made to encourage ongoing relaxation and less reliance on addictive substances such as nicotine, caffeine and sugar. Deep relaxation and pranayama (conscious breath regulation) techniques of Yoga are taught in our yoga therapy classes and these are ideal for calming the mind and providing much-needed time out from our busy, hectic lives.

Under hypnosis or deep relaxation time appears to pass very quickly and the dental treatment feels as though it is completed in no time. At the end of the treatment you are relaxed and refreshed, quite an unusual feeling for dental phobic patients – and all done with the power of the mind rather than drugs!

If you are interested in experiencing this at your next dental appointment please discuss your individual needs with the dentist.