I'd rather have a baby than root canal, or how to treat the fearful patient

Abstract

I have tried to enumerate the ways that can be used to communicate with the apprehensive patient in order to dispel the myths and allay the fears of root canal therapy. The categories discussed were communication, local anesthesia, nitrous oxide analgesia, pre-visit sedation and i.v. sedation. Some or all of these disciplines can be used depending on the situation.