For many people, visiting the dentist is a fairly routine experience. For others, however, it can be a source of considerable anxiety. The sounds of dental instruments, the anticipation of discomfort, the feeling of having someone work inside their mouth, and even the smell of a dental office can make an appointment stressful.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if there were ways to make dental treatment feel more comfortable?
One approach that has attracted interest from dentists and researchers is hypnosis. Although it may sound surprising, hypnosis has a history of use in dentistry, and it has been investigated as a way of helping patients manage anxiety, discomfort, gagging, and certain other difficulties associated with dental treatment.
Hypnosis is not a replacement for good dentistry, local anesthetics, or necessary medical care. Nor does it mean that a patient must surrender control or become unconscious while treatment takes place.
Instead, it can be used as an additional psychological tool to help patients manage their responses to dental procedures.
Let's explore how it works, what dentists use it for, and what the research tells us about its potential benefits and limitations.
What Is Dental Hypnosis?
Dental hypnosis is the use of hypnosis in connection with dental care.
It involves helping a patient enter a state of focused attention and increased responsiveness to suggestion, with the aim of influencing aspects of their experience during dental treatment.
For example, a dentist or appropriately trained practitioner might use hypnotic suggestions to help a patient:
Feel calmer before and during treatment.
Reduce anxiety associated with dental procedures.
Manage their perception of discomfort.
Feel more comfortable with the sounds and sensations of dental instruments.
Reduce an excessive gag reflex.
Cope more effectively with certain aspects of treatment.
Develop greater confidence about attending future appointments.
The techniques may involve relaxation, guided imagery, breathing, attention-focusing exercises, and carefully worded suggestions.
A patient might be encouraged to imagine being somewhere peaceful, concentrate on a pleasant memory, or experience a greater sense of calm while the dentist works.
The important point is that hypnosis is being used to influence the patient's experience, not to perform the dental procedure itself.
Dental hypnosis can be incorporated into a treatment plan alongside conventional dentistry. Depending on the patient's needs, it may be used with local anesthesia, other forms of pain management, or additional anxiety-management strategies.
Does Dental Hypnosis Mean Being Put to Sleep?
No. Despite the word hypnosis sometimes being associated with sleep, hypnotic patients are not necessarily asleep or unconscious.
Most dental hypnosis involves a person remaining aware of their surroundings and able to communicate with the dentist.
They may feel relaxed, absorbed in their thoughts, or less distracted by what is happening around them. Some people experience this as a pleasant sense of mental distance from the dental procedure.
However, individual experiences vary.
A patient might have their eyes closed and appear very relaxed, while another might keep their eyes open and concentrate on the dentist's voice.
Neither appearance necessarily tells you how deeply hypnotized someone is.
It is also important to understand that hypnosis does not remove a patient's ability to express discomfort, ask questions, or request that treatment be paused.
A responsible dentist should maintain communication and ensure that the patient understands how to signal if they need a break.
How Does a Dentist Use Hypnosis?
There are several ways hypnosis can be incorporated into dental care.
The approach depends on the patient's needs, the type of procedure, the dentist's training, and the patient's response to hypnosis.
A typical process might involve the following stages.
1. Discussing the Patient's Needs
Before using hypnosis, the dentist should find out what the patient finds difficult about dental treatment.
For example, is the main problem:
Fear of pain?
Anxiety about injections?
Sensitivity to the sounds of dental instruments?
A feeling of being trapped or unable to move?
Difficulty tolerating treatment in the mouth?
An excessive gag reflex?
A previous unpleasant dental experience?
Understanding the source of the difficulty helps the dentist decide whether hypnosis might be useful and what approach to take.
The dentist should also explain what hypnosis involves, what the patient might experience, and what it can reasonably be expected to accomplish.
Consent is essential. A patient should never feel pressured into participating.
2. Preparing the Patient
The dentist may begin with a brief explanation of hypnosis and perhaps a simple relaxation exercise.
This can help establish realistic expectations and reduce uncertainty.
For someone who has never experienced hypnosis, knowing that they do not have to lose consciousness or surrender control may be reassuring.
The dentist might also ask whether the patient prefers particular imagery or relaxation techniques.
For example, one person might enjoy imagining a quiet beach, while another might prefer concentrating on a familiar, comfortable place.
3. Introducing Hypnosis
An induction is used to help the patient focus their attention.
This might involve:
Concentrating on breathing.
Listening to the dentist's voice.
Fixing the eyes on a particular point.
Relaxing different muscle groups.
Imagining a peaceful setting.
Focusing on a pleasant memory.
The induction does not have to be elaborate.
Some dental situations call for a relatively brief approach because the dentist needs to begin treatment without spending a long time preparing the patient.
4. Using Therapeutic Suggestions
Once the patient is comfortably focused, the dentist may offer suggestions related to the particular problem.
For example, someone who feels anxious might be encouraged to experience a greater sense of calm and confidence.
Someone who finds dental sounds unpleasant might be encouraged to focus on a different sound or imagine being somewhere more relaxing.
Suggestions should be appropriate, understandable, and consistent with what the patient wants to achieve.
5. Carrying Out the Dental Treatment
The dentist proceeds with the planned treatment while maintaining appropriate communication.
Hypnosis may help the patient direct attention away from certain sensations or respond differently to the experience.
The dentist can continue offering suggestions as appropriate.
If the patient experiences discomfort or needs a break, they should be able to communicate this.
6. Ending the Hypnotic Experience
When the procedure is complete, the dentist can help the patient return their attention fully to their surroundings.
This may involve simple suggestions to become more alert, comfortable, and ready to continue with the appointment.
The patient can then discuss their experience and whether they found the technique helpful.
Can Hypnosis Help With Dental Anxiety?
Yes, it may help some patients feel less anxious during dental treatment.
Dental anxiety ranges from mild nervousness to an intense fear that causes someone to postpone or avoid appointments. Hypnosis may be useful as one part of a plan to manage that anxiety.
A 2025 review by Angélique Thibault, Pierre Rainville, and Nathalie Rei summarized systematic reviews and meta-analyses of hypnosis in dentistry. The authors found supportive evidence for applications involving dental anxiety and acute pain, although they also emphasized that the research varies in quality and that studies use different techniques and outcome measures.¹
Hypnosis may be particularly helpful when anxiety is intensified by anticipation, frightening mental images, or a person's expectations about what will happen during treatment.
For example, a patient who expects a dental procedure to be unbearable might be guided to focus on a reassuring image and develop a greater sense of calm. Rather than concentrating exclusively on the sounds and sensations of the procedure, they may find it easier to direct their attention elsewhere.
This does not mean that the patient's fear is imaginary or that they should simply relax. Dental anxiety can be very real and distressing. Hypnosis is one possible way to help manage the experience.
It is also important to distinguish between reducing anxiety during an appointment and treating a longstanding dental phobia. A technique that helps someone feel calmer during a filling may not, by itself, resolve years of avoidance.
For persistent dental phobia, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and other evidence-based psychological approaches may be appropriate. Hypnosis can sometimes complement these approaches, depending on the patient's needs and the clinician's qualifications.
Can Hypnosis Reduce Pain During Dental Treatment?
Hypnosis may help reduce the experience of pain for some patients, but it should not be confused with a reliable substitute for local anesthesia.
Pain is influenced by multiple factors, including the physical procedure, attention, expectations, emotions, and the context in which a sensation occurs. Hypnotic suggestions may influence some of these psychological processes.
For instance, a dentist might suggest that a patient experience a sensation as less unpleasant, focus on a comfortable part of the body, or imagine that the treated area feels more comfortable.
Some patients may find these suggestions helpful. Others may experience little change.
A systematic review and meta-analysis published in 2022 examined hypnosis for acute dental and maxillofacial pain. It included 27 papers and reported promising findings for pain during and after procedures, including tooth extraction. However, the studies varied considerably in their methods, and the authors concluded that further research was needed.²
This is an encouraging but qualified finding. It supports considering hypnosis as a possible pain-management adjunct, not assuming that it will provide sufficient pain control for every patient.
Can hypnosis replace a local anesthetic injection?
Local anesthesia remains an established and effective way to prevent pain during many dental procedures.
A randomized clinical crossover study comparing hypnosis with local anesthesia for experimentally induced dental pain found that local anesthesia provided better pain control than hypnosis alone.³
That distinction matters in everyday dentistry.
If you need a filling, root canal treatment, extraction, or another procedure for which local anesthesia is indicated, hypnosis should not be treated as a reason to refuse appropriate pain control.
A patient might still benefit from hypnosis alongside anesthesia. For example, it may help them manage anxiety about receiving an injection or feel more comfortable while the anesthetic takes effect.
The dentist should decide on an appropriate clinical pain-management plan in consultation with the patient.
Can Hypnosis Help Someone Who Is Afraid of Dental Injections?
It may help, particularly when the fear involves anticipation, anxiety, or a strong emotional response to needles.
For some people, the injection itself is the main concern. Others feel anxious about seeing the needle, anticipating the sensation, or worrying that they will not be able to tolerate the procedure.
A dentist using hypnosis might help the patient focus on breathing, imagine a reassuring setting, or rehearse responding calmly to the situation.
The suggestions could be adapted to the patient's preferences. Some people prefer not to visualize the injection at all, while others find it useful to imagine the process as manageable and brief.
Hypnosis may also be combined with practical measures such as explaining each step, agreeing on a signal to pause, and using appropriate topical or local anesthesia.
However, severe needle fear may need a broader treatment plan. A patient who avoids essential dental care because of intense anxiety may benefit from a clinician experienced in treating specific phobias.
The goal should be to make treatment manageable while preserving the patient's sense of safety and control—not to persuade them to endure distress without appropriate support.
Can Hypnosis Help With a Strong Gag Reflex?
Yes, hypnosis may help some people who experience an unusually strong gag reflex during dental treatment, although the evidence for this particular application is limited.
The gag reflex is a natural protective response. It can become a practical problem in dentistry when the placement of instruments, dental impressions, or even the anticipation of treatment triggers repeated gagging.
For some patients, the response is influenced by anxiety, anticipation, or previous unpleasant experiences. Others may have a strong physical sensitivity that persists even when they feel calm.
Hypnosis may be useful when psychological factors contribute to the difficulty. A practitioner might use relaxation, imagery, and suggestions intended to help the patient feel more comfortable with sensations around the mouth.
For example, a patient might practice remaining calm while imagining a dental instrument approaching the mouth. If appropriate, this mental rehearsal could be incorporated into a gradual process of becoming more comfortable with actual dental procedures.
However, hypnosis does not guarantee that the gag reflex will disappear. Nor should it be assumed that all gagging is caused by anxiety.
A 2025 scoping review of psychological interventions for gagging during dental treatment identified eight studies involving a total of 14 participants. The approaches included hypnotherapy, systematic desensitization, and relaxation techniques. Although the reported outcomes were promising, the very small evidence base means that firm conclusions about effectiveness cannot be drawn.⁴
If gagging makes dental treatment difficult, tell your dentist. They can assess the situation and discuss suitable options, which may include behavioral approaches, changes to the treatment technique, or referral for specialist help.
Can Hypnosis Help Children During Dental Treatment?
Potentially, yes. Hypnosis may help some children manage anxiety and discomfort during dental procedures, provided the approach is appropriate to their age, development, preferences, and clinical needs.
Children differ in their ability to understand and participate in hypnosis. Some respond well to imaginative activities, storytelling, or suggestions involving familiar characters and comforting places.
For example, a dentist might invite a child to imagine being on a favorite adventure while the dental procedure takes place. The child could be encouraged to focus on the story rather than on unfamiliar sounds.
Another child might prefer counting, listening to music, or holding a familiar object. Hypnosis is not the only way to help children feel comfortable, and the best approach depends on the individual.
The dentist should explain the process in language the child can understand and seek appropriate consent and cooperation. A child should not be pressured into hypnosis or made to feel that they have failed if they cannot relax.
Hypnosis should also be considered alongside established pediatric dental behavior-management methods, not as a replacement for them.
For children who require more extensive treatment or experience severe anxiety, the dentist may recommend other approaches, including appropriately indicated sedation or referral to a specialist.
Can Hypnosis Help With the Fear of Losing Control in the Dental Chair?
It may help some patients, particularly when their anxiety is associated with feeling trapped, vulnerable, or unable to communicate during treatment.
A person might worry about having their mouth open for an extended period, being unable to speak easily, or not knowing what the dentist is doing.
In these circumstances, the patient's sense of control is an important part of the experience.
Hypnosis can be adapted to reinforce that sense of control rather than undermine it.
For example, a dentist and patient might agree on a hand signal that means "please pause." The dentist could then use suggestions to help the patient feel calm while remembering that they can request a break whenever necessary.
A patient might also imagine themselves responding confidently to the procedure, communicating their needs, and allowing treatment to proceed at a manageable pace.
The aim is not to make the patient passive or compliant. It is to help them feel more comfortable participating in their own care.
If a practitioner tells you that you must surrender control to be hypnotized, that is a reason to ask further questions. Hypnosis should be conducted with your understanding and consent.
Is Hypnosis Used for More Than Anxiety and Pain?
Yes. Dental hypnosis has been explored for several other purposes, although the amount of supporting evidence differs by application.
Chronic orofacial pain
Some research has investigated hypnosis for persistent pain involving the jaw, face, and mouth. This includes pain associated with temporomandibular disorders. Early findings are promising, but hypnosis should be considered within an appropriate diagnostic and treatment plan.¹
Coping with unpleasant sensations
Hypnosis may help some patients redirect their attention or alter how they experience certain sensations during treatment. Responses vary, and this should not be interpreted as evidence that physical symptoms are imaginary.
Preparing for future appointments
Some patients may use hypnosis or self-hypnosis to rehearse a calmer response to dental visits. This may be useful as part of a wider plan to reduce avoidance, although long-term benefits need to be evaluated individually.
A 2025 review of the dental hypnosis literature also examined research involving acute dental pain, dental anxiety, temporomandibular disorders, and burning mouth syndrome. The authors described several promising applications while noting that the evidence remains fragmented and further research is needed.¹
The important distinction is between a promising application and an established treatment for a specific condition. Hypnosis should not be presented as a proven solution for every kind of oral pain or dental difficulty.
Can Hypnosis Be Used Instead of Sedation?
Hypnosis and dental sedation are different approaches.
Hypnosis uses focused attention and suggestion to influence a person's experience. Sedation involves the use of medications or gases to produce a defined level of reduced anxiety, relaxation, or altered awareness, depending on the method.
Sedation can be appropriate for some patients and procedures, but it requires suitable clinical assessment, monitoring, and safety precautions.
Hypnosis does not automatically provide the same effects as sedation, and the two should not be treated as interchangeable.
Some patients may benefit from hypnosis without needing sedation. Others may require sedation or another form of anxiety management because their fear is severe, their treatment is extensive, or hypnosis alone is not sufficient.
In some circumstances, psychological techniques may be combined with other forms of care.
The choice should be made with the dental professional based on the patient's needs, medical history, the procedure involved, and the available evidence.
If you are considering hypnosis because you want to avoid sedation, discuss that goal with your dentist. The priority should be safe, effective treatment rather than avoiding a particular intervention at all costs.
Can Hypnosis Be Used Without Local Anesthesia?
Hypnosis has been investigated as a way of reducing pain during dental procedures, and there are reports of patients undergoing certain procedures with hypnosis alone.
However, this does not establish that hypnosis can reliably replace local anesthesia.
The degree of discomfort varies considerably between procedures and patients. A technique that helps someone tolerate a relatively minor intervention may be inadequate for a procedure that would normally require effective local anesthesia.
Even when a patient reports reduced pain under hypnosis, that experience should not be taken as proof that the underlying tissues are not being injured or that anesthesia is unnecessary.
Do not decline recommended anesthesia solely because someone promises that hypnosis will eliminate pain.
If you have concerns about anesthetic medications, previous adverse reactions, or difficulty becoming numb, discuss them with your dentist. They can evaluate the issue and consider appropriate alternatives.
Hypnosis may still be useful as an adjunct to the treatment plan, especially if anxiety about injections or the procedure itself is contributing to your distress.
Can Patients Learn Self-Hypnosis for Dental Visits?
Yes. Some patients learn self-hypnosis techniques that they can practice before and during dental appointments.
Self-hypnosis involves directing your own attention and using suggestions or imagery to encourage a desired response. It does not require another person to guide every step.
For example, you might practice a short relaxation exercise before leaving home for an appointment. You could imagine sitting comfortably in the dental chair, listening to the dentist's instructions, and feeling able to communicate your needs.
You might also practice focusing on your breathing or mentally revisiting a place where you feel comfortable.
The aim is to develop a familiar strategy that you can use when you begin to feel anxious.
However, self-hypnosis is a skill that may take practice, and it will not work equally well for everyone. If you are highly anxious or have a strong dental phobia, self-hypnosis alone may not be sufficient.
It is also important to remain responsive to your dentist's instructions during treatment. Any technique you use should support safe communication rather than distract you from important clinical directions.
If you are interested in learning self-hypnosis, ask your dentist whether they can recommend an appropriately trained practitioner or a suitable educational resource.
Is Dental Hypnosis Safe?
When used appropriately by a suitably trained professional, hypnosis is generally considered a low-risk psychological technique. Nevertheless, the practitioner should take the patient's circumstances into account, obtain informed consent, and explain the limits of the method.
The dental setting introduces an additional consideration: the patient's physical safety during treatment.
A dentist must be able to communicate with the patient, monitor their response, and recognize when treatment needs to be paused or adjusted.
Hypnosis should never interfere with necessary clinical monitoring or prevent a patient from communicating pain, breathing difficulties, or other problems.
It should also not be used to persuade patients to tolerate inappropriate levels of discomfort or to refuse necessary medical care.
If you have a history of particularly distressing experiences, significant psychological difficulties, or concerns about how hypnosis might affect you, discuss these with the practitioner beforehand.
A responsible professional should be willing to explain the proposed approach and consider whether another method would be more suitable.
How Effective Is Dental Hypnosis Compared With Other Approaches?
The evidence is promising for certain uses, but it is important to interpret it carefully.
A systematic review and meta-analysis published in 2022 examined clinical trials involving hypnosis and other approaches to dental anxiety and phobia. The authors found that the results for hypnosis were mixed, with substantial variation among studies. They also noted that cognitive behavioral therapy had stronger supporting evidence for reducing dental anxiety across the available research.²
More recent reviews have identified evidence supporting hypnosis for managing acute anxiety during oral surgery and have described potential benefits for dental pain.¹ However, research quality, sample sizes, and treatment methods vary, so the findings should not be interpreted as proof that hypnosis is the best option for every patient.
Different interventions also serve different purposes.
For immediate anxiety: Hypnosis, relaxation, and other psychological techniques may help some patients manage distress during treatment.
For persistent dental phobia: A structured psychological treatment, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, may be more appropriate.
For procedural pain: Local anesthesia remains an established method of pain control, while hypnosis may be considered an additional aid.
For severe anxiety or complex treatment: Sedation or specialist dental care may be appropriate, depending on the circumstances.
The best approach is not necessarily the one that sounds most appealing. It is the one that matches the patient's needs, is supported by suitable evidence, and allows treatment to proceed safely.
How Can I Find a Dentist Who Uses Hypnosis?
If you are interested in dental hypnosis, start by asking your regular dentist whether they use it or can recommend someone who does.
You can also ask prospective practitioners about their training and experience.
Useful questions include:
What training have you completed in clinical hypnosis?
How do you decide whether hypnosis is appropriate for a particular patient?
Have you worked with people who have difficulties similar to mine?
How do you combine hypnosis with conventional dental treatment?
What happens if hypnosis does not reduce my anxiety or discomfort?
Can we agree on a signal for pausing treatment?
What other options are available if hypnosis is not enough?
Look for someone who describes hypnosis realistically and is comfortable discussing alternative approaches.
A qualified dental professional should not promise that hypnosis will eliminate all pain, guarantee that you will never feel anxious, or insist that you abandon other forms of care.
You should also clarify who will provide the hypnosis. If a separate hypnotherapist is involved, ask about their relevant qualifications and how they will coordinate with the dental team.
The goal is to find a practitioner who respects your concerns and helps you make informed decisions about your care.
What If Hypnosis Doesn't Work for Me?
That is entirely possible, and it does not mean you have failed.
People differ in their responses to hypnosis, and even someone who responds well in one situation may experience different results in another.
You might find that hypnosis makes you more comfortable but does not eliminate your anxiety. You might benefit from it during a routine cleaning but still feel nervous about an extraction. Or you might find that another approach works better for you.
There is no need to force yourself to respond to hypnosis in a particular way.
If it does not help sufficiently, discuss other options with your dentist. These may include more detailed explanations of procedures, agreed-upon breaks, behavioral techniques, cognitive behavioral therapy, or appropriately indicated sedation.
If dental fear has led you to postpone treatment, let your dentist know. The aim is to find a manageable way forward rather than allowing anxiety to prevent you from receiving necessary care.
So, How Is Hypnosis Used in Dentistry?
Hypnosis can be used as an adjunct to dental treatment to help some patients manage anxiety, cope with discomfort, and respond more comfortably to certain aspects of dental care.
It has also been investigated for acute dental pain, an exaggerated gag reflex, and some forms of chronic orofacial pain. The strength of the evidence varies across these applications, and more high-quality research is needed in several areas.
Hypnosis does not replace the dentist's clinical skills, appropriate anesthesia, or other necessary treatment. It is a psychological technique that may make the dental experience more manageable for some people.
If dental visits make you anxious, you do not have to simply put up with the fear. Talk with your dentist about what you find difficult and which options might help.
Whether you choose hypnosis, behavioral techniques, sedation, or a combination of approaches, the goal is the same: to help you receive the dental care you need in a way that feels safer, more comfortable, and more manageable.
Notes
1. Angélique Thibault, Pierre Rainville, and Nathalie Rei, “Evidence-Based Practice of Hypnosis in Dentistry: Narrative Summary of Reviews and Meta-Analysis,” American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis 67, no. 3 (2025): 227–43.
2. Thomas Gerhard Wolf, Sina Schläppi, Carla Irene Benz, and Guglielmo Campus, “Efficacy of Hypnosis on Dental Anxiety and Phobia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis,” Brain Sciences 12, no. 5 (2022): 521.
3. Thomas Gerhard Wolf, Dominik Wolf, Angelika Callaway, Dagna Below, Bernd d’Hoedt, Brita Willershausen, and Monika Daubländer, “Hypnosis and Local Anesthesia for Dental Pain Relief—Alternative or Adjunct Therapy?—A Randomized, Clinical-Experimental Crossover Study,” International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis 64, no. 4 (2016): 391–403.
4. Freddie O’Donald, Molly Smith, Lindsay-Jo Sevier-Guy, and Abigail Heffernan, “The Effectiveness of Psychological Interventions for the Management of Gagging among Dental Patients: A Scoping Review,” British Dental Journal (2025), published October 17, 2025.