Dental emergencies and the impact of odontophobia

Dental emergencies, such as sudden toothaches, broken teeth, or swelling, require rapid professional intervention to prevent complications like infections or tooth loss. Effective management involves clinical examinations and diagnostic tools like X-rays to identify the root cause, whether it be deep cavities, pulp inflammation, or trauma.

However, dental care is often delayed by odontophobia, an extreme anxiety disorder. While global prevalence is estimated between 3.3% and 5%, studies suggest it may affect up to 8.6% of the population in Chile. This phobia is often rooted in previous traumatic experiences, learned fears, or generalized anxiety disorders.

Avoiding dental visits due to fear creates a cycle where patients only seek help during extreme pain or infection. This delay frequently leads to more radical treatments and the potential loss of teeth, which can further exacerbate the patient's fear of dental procedures.