title: Managing the endodontic patient with disabling anxiety or phobia.
abstract: Disabling anxiety and phobia are commonly encountered in dental practice. Successful management of these patients is especially important in endodontic practice, where patients are often compelled to seek treatment because of acute or threatened pain. This article reviews the recognition and management of these common disorders. Mild anxiety can be managed with oral sedatives and/or nitrous oxide; however, moderate to severe anxiety and phobia is best treated with deep sedation or general anesthesia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry, Indiana University School of Dentistry, USA.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Saxen
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Newton
mesh_terms: D000766:Anesthesia, Dental / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D016292:Procedural Sedation / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016854:Dental Anxiety / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D012390:Root Canal Therapy / Q000523:psychology*