Role of Hypnosis in Dental Treatment: A Narrative Review

Evidence-based practice of hypnosis in dentistry: Narrative summary of reviews and meta-analysis

The purpose of this article is to provide a concise summary of the scientific literature in the form of a narrative review to highlight areas where the use of clinical hypnosis is supported by scientific evidence in dentistry. A literature review was carried out to identify relevant peer-reviewed articles on PubMed, written in French or in English, with time limitation from 2000 to May 2023, and updated in December 2024. Articles had to be systematic reviews or meta-analysis linked with the management of dental anxiety and acute dental pain, as well as chronic orofacial pain. Twelve articles were selected for analysis, with 8 on dental anxiety, 3 on temporomandibular disorders, and 1 on burning mouth syndrome. Several literature reviews and meta-analyses published on the subject support the use of hypnosis in several clinical contexts, including local anesthesia, dental extraction and dental anxiety in adults and children. Evidence is also presented to improve the condition of patients suffering from pain associated with temporomandibular disorders. However, the literature remains somewhat fragmented because of the diversity of hypnosis techniques applied, and the different dental procedures or conditions explored. Hypnosis can have a considerable impact in the management of dental anxiety and acute dental pain. It also seems promising for the management of orofacial pain, but further research would be necessary. This research highlights that the available evidence is sufficient to encourage the integration of evidence-based hypnosis training to improve the management of acute stress and pain in dental practice.

Risk reduction: using the properties of sedation to mitigate the risks of stress-induced medical emergencies - a case series

Dental anxiety and phobia are widespread in the population, with various non-pharmacological and pharmacological techniques available to manage it, including conscious sedation. Medically complex, anxious patients may be at a higher risk of a stress-induced medical emergency during dental treatment. This article lays out the forms of sedation that may be used to help mitigate this risk, the detailed risk assessment required and how conscious sedation may be used as a prophylactic tool to prevent medical emergencies in these patients. Referring clinicians must know what options are available to enable this cohort of patients to access care.

Hypnotherapy as a medical treatment: Evidence-based or pseudoscience?

BACKGROUND

Hypnotherapy continues to be a controversial practice in medicine. It is surrounded by myth and misuses that instill doubts about its legitimacy and usefulness.

PURPOSE

In this paper, we will distinguish pseudoscientific claims from evidence-based uses of hypnotherapy.

RESULTS

The use and acceptability of hypnotherapy has varied over history. Pseudoscientific uses, based on outdated theories that it can access the unconscious mind, have delegitimized hypnotherapy. Modern theories that hypnosis uses common social, emotional, and cognitive processes combined with evidence-based methods have re-established the use of hypnotherapy in many physical and mental health disorders and symptoms. Currently it is a widely accepted and recommended treatment for irritable bowel syndrome, with evidence building for many other applications.

CONCLUSION

Hypnotherapy, as a pseudoscience, can become unethical and cause distress for the patient and their families. Hypnotherapy, as an evidence-based treatment, can be used as a powerful tool to treat physical and psychological symptoms related to medical ailments.