Our calming sedation dentistry options in Nashville allow you to get the important care you need without stress or worry.

Sedation Dentistry in Nashville, TN

Dental anxiety is a genuine problem that affects millions of people. As uncomfortable as these feelings are, the larger problem is the toll that fear of dental procedures can have on your oral health. You can’t enjoy a beautiful smile unless your teeth are healthy.

Dr. Sully talks about sedation and how it can work for you.

If anxiety is holding you back from making or keeping scheduled dental appointments, the team sedation dentistry tools in nashville tn at Sullivan Dental Partners can help.

As part of his commitment to ensuring his patients' comfort, Our team has been using sedation safely and successfully for many years. We have received specialized training from the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation and holds a Limited Conscious Sedation permit from the State of Tennessee. Our providers are also certified in Advanced Cardio Life Support.

You and your family can feel confident knowing that your care is in the hands of a highly trained professional who does everything possible to ensure your complete comfort and safety.

Compassion and Understanding Dental Care

People experience dental anxiety for a variety of reasons. It may be the sights, sounds, and smells of the office, a strong gag reflex, or a bad dental experience they had as a child.

Whatever the source of your anxiety, the best way we can start to help you is by understanding your concerns. That is why we strongly encourage you to share your feelings with us. We’ll take the time to talk with you about your fears so we can adjust your treatment accordingly. There’s absolutely no reason for you to feel embarrassed. For decades we’ve helped hundreds of our patients overcome their anxiety so they can get the care they need.

Quick Facts: Sedation Dentistry at a Glance

Safety First: Our team holds specialized permits from the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation and is ACLS certified for your complete peace of mind.
The Goal: To eliminate the stress of dental sights, sounds, and smells, helping you prioritize your health without the fear.
Nitrous Oxide: A mild, breathable gas that wears off in minutes—you can drive yourself home.
Conscious Oral Sedation: A pill-based sedative that creates a "dreamy" state; requires a companion to drive you home.
IV Sedation: The most advanced option. It works instantly, allows us to adjust your level of relaxation in real-time, and is ideal for complex procedures or extreme anxiety.

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I a good candidate for sedation dentistry?

For some people, the thought of sitting in a dental chair brings a wave of anxiety, making even routine care feel overwhelming. Whether it’s fear of needles, a sensitive gag reflex, or difficulty staying still for extended periods, these challenges can prevent you from getting the care you need.

Fortunately, sedation dentistry offers a solution so you can prioritize your oral health, but are you a good candidate?

Who Is a Candidate for Sedation Dentistry?

At Sullivan Dental Partners, we offer nitrous oxide sedation and oral conscious sedation. We believe sedation dentistry is a fantastic tool to help you receive the dental treatment you need.

We recommend some form of dental sedation for anyone who has:

Dental anxiety and avoids going to the dentist
A history of canceling appointments because of dental anxiety
A difficult time opening their mouth for extended periods
An overactive gag reflex
A fear of needles
Negative dental experiences in the past
Extreme pain sensitivity

Looking for Sedation Dentistry in Nashville, TN?

If you have dental anxiety and want to learn more about our sedation dentistry options, contact our Brentwood dental team! We never want you to forego necessary treatment, and sedation dentistry can help you get the care you deserve.

Please call us at (615) 373-1012 for more information.

Calming Sedation Methods in Nashville, TN

In addition to a team of compassionate professionals who care about your feelings, we’re pleased to offer effective sedation methods that can be customized just for you.

Nitrous Oxide

We are pleased to offer nitrous oxide in all our treatment rooms to make the dental experience more relaxing. Nitrous oxide is also referred to as inhalation sedation or even "happy" gas.

Nitrous oxide is a colorless, virtually odorless gas delivered through a small tube placed under your nose. Simply breathe in normally, and you will immediately begin to feel its calming effects.

We’ve been using nitrous oxide safely for decades, and it’s proven to be very effective for helping patients remain calm while receiving dental care. In fact, nitrous is so mild that it’s often used to help relax a fearful child, which allows us to safely and efficiently perform their dental procedures.

The effects of nitrous oxide are mild. It’s safe, and the effects dissipate shortly after we stop administering the gas. Nitrous oxide does not put you to sleep, so you will still be able to interact with your dentist.

Conscious Sedation

Conscious sedation is an excellent way to calm your nerves before your procedure. We’ll prescribe a sedative for you to take about an hour before your appointment to help you relax even before you get to our office. To ensure your complete comfort, your provider will administer additional medication after your arrival if needed. You will remain conscious but dreamy and may even fall asleep

During treatment, you will feel very calm but remain conscious so that you can express your concerns and answer our questions. We will monitor your condition continuously throughout your procedure. Oral sedation is ideal for patients who:

Have difficulty getting numb
Have moderate dental anxiety
Suffer from a strong gag reflex
Have a lot of treatment to complete
Want to forget their dental appointment

We will need to take a medical history and rule out any drug interactions to determine if oral sedation is safe for you. You will also need to have a driver take you to and from your appointment for your safety.

IV Sedation for Deep Relaxation

For patients with severe dental phobia or those undergoing more complex surgical procedures, we are pleased to offer IV Sedation. Unlike oral sedatives, which take time to digest and enter the bloodstream, IV sedation is administered directly into the vein, allowing the calming effects to take place almost instantaneously.

One of the greatest benefits of IV sedation is its precision. Your dentist can adjust the level of medication throughout the procedure to ensure you remain perfectly relaxed and comfortable. While you are technically "conscious," you will be in a state of profound relaxation, and most patients have absolutely no memory of their treatment afterward.

IV Sedation is an excellent choice if you:

Suffer from extreme dental anxiety or phobia.
Have a very low pain threshold or high tooth sensitivity.
Need significant restorative work or multiple procedures in one visit.
Have a physical condition that makes it difficult to sit still in a dental chair.

Relax and Get the Care You Need in Nashville!

Is the fear of dental visits compromising your good oral health? We urge you to contact our dental office so we can show you how easy dentistry can be with our effective sedation methods. Also, be sure to read our Sedation Dentistry FAQs.