Virtual Reality – The Latest Dental Phobia Coping Tip
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2 min reading time
VR is transforming dentistry by providing an immersive, clinically validated solution to help patients manage dental anxiety—making visits more comfortable for both patients and providers.
Amidst the impressive advancements in techniques, technology, and patient comfort solutions, one major challenge remains: dental anxiety, or dentophobia.
How many of us know someone who had a bad experience at the dentist and now dreads every visit? Too many.
Dentists go to great lengths to create a welcoming environment—whether it is through warm office decor, strawberry-flavoured numbing gel, or soothing music. But the reality is, no matter how inviting the setting, no one truly looks forward to having a drill in their teeth. And for clinicians, constantly treating anxious or fearful patients can take an emotional toll, leading to compassion fatigue despite their best efforts.
So how do we change the perception of the dental visit? How do we make an inherently stressful experience more comfortable and even—dare we say—pleasant?
Enter Virtual Reality.
Virtual Reality, also commonly known as VR, has been around for decades but has only recently gained mainstream attention, thanks to tech giants like Apple and Meta. VR has the unique ability to transport users to an entirely different environment—one so immersive that the brain disengages from the present moment. With a headset displaying hyper-realistic images, users can feel like they are on a tropical beach or watching a breathtaking sunset, even while sitting in a dental chair.
Now imagine a patient undergoing a cavity filling—completely relaxed, floating above Hawaiian crystal-clear waters at sunset. Not bad, right?
At Paperplane Therapeutics, we specialize in medical-grade VR therapy, designed specifically for the dental setting. Unlike consumer VR headsets meant for entertainment, our technology is built to help manage patient anxiety without disrupting the dentist’s workflow—creating a seamless experience for both patient and provider.
With two ongoing clinical trials in renowned institutions, we are dedicated to proving the clinical value of VR in dentistry. This is more than just an exciting technology—it is an evidence-based tool that can make a real difference for patients and providers alike.
With VR therapy, patients might actually look forward to their next dental visit.
Want to learn more? Visit our website to explore how Paperplane Therapeutics is reshaping the future of dentistry.
