When a 56-year-old female patient came to The Smile Suite with multiple dental concerns and severe anxiety from past trauma, Dr. Jenna helped her feel at ease and restored her smile with a safe, biocompatible crown.
The Challenges
Referred to The Smile Suite by her holistic chiropractor, the patient came to Dr. Jenna with multiple dental health concerns and significant anxiety about dental treatment. She explained that her fear stemmed from traumatic dental experiences as a kid and again as an adult, shortly before coming to The Smile Suite.
The patient’s challenges included:
A decaying lower left molar at risk of abscess or further deterioration without treatment
Concerns about old silver (amalgam) fillings, which can release low levels of mercury over time
Severe dental anxiety due to past trauma and poor treatment by previous dentists
The Smile Suite Solution
Dr. Jenna made it a priority to ease the patient’s fears, offering empathy, reassurance, and clear explanations about what to expect throughout her treatment.
Dental solutions included:
Use of an intraoral scanner for a quick and comfortable diagnosis and “impression” process
Placement of a safe, biocompatible, lab fabricated zirconia crown to protect the tooth and prevent infection or loss
SMART protocol removal of old silver fillings, replaced with biocompatible fillings
Steps taken to ease the patient’s anxiety included:
Netflix during the procedures for distraction and comfort
Detailed explanations of each step before and during treatment
Frequent breaks to check on the patient’s comfort level
Option for nitrous oxide (laughing gas) if she felt she needed extra support
The Outcome
The patient felt so comfortable leading up to and during her procedure, she chose not to use nitrous oxide. When she saw her new crown, she shed happy tears, relieved to be able to chew on her left side (and smile confidently) again.
The Results:
A functional, natural-looking tooth
Pain-free chewing within a few days
Peace of mind knowing her treatment wouldn’t cause further health problems
Renewed trust in dental care – she even scheduled her 6-month checkup right there in the office
After her appointment, the patient shared that working with Dr. Jenna and The Smile Suite team was like a breath of fresh air. She was grateful to have found a dentist who truly cared.
"After" picture of the patient's beautiful, functional, and biocompatible Zirconia dental crown
Going to the dentist shouldn’t have to feel scary.
At The Smile Suite, we take the time to answer your questions and ease your worries, so you can get the smile you deserve – without anxiety.