Sedation Dentistry in Nashville
Nashville Sedation Dentistry Overview
Treatment Essentials at a Glance
What it is: Two options for anxious patients: nitrous oxide (laughing gas) in the chair, or an anti-anxiety prescription you take at home before your visit. Both take the edge off. You stay awake, you remember the appointment, and you leave feeling like yourself.
Typical appointment time: Same as your procedure, plus a few minutes to start nitrous if you're using it.
Recovery/Results timeline: Nitrous oxide: wears off in minutes, drive yourself home. Anti-anxiety prescription: plan for a driver and a quiet rest of the day.
- • Adults who feel anxious at the dentist but want to get care done
- • Patients coming back after years away
- • A sensitive gag reflex
- • Longer appointments where staying calm matters
- • Kids who do well with laughing gas
What We Offer
Two Honest Options for Anxious Patients
Dental anxiety is common. Some people feel nervous the morning of a cleaning. Others haven't sat in a chair in ten years. Either way, we can help. Here's what we actually offer, in plain terms.
Nitrous oxide (laughing gas). You breathe it in through a small nose mask during your appointment. The edge comes off within a minute or two. When we switch it off, it lifts quickly and you can drive yourself home. It's the same nitrous used in pediatric dentistry and most general dental offices.
Anti-anxiety prescription. Dr. D'Aoust can write a prescription for a single dose of an anti-anxiety medication. You fill it at your pharmacy and take it before your appointment per the instructions. You'll need someone to drive you, you'll want to rest for the remainder of the day, and you will remember the appointment. It takes the edge off. It does not put you to sleep.
What we do not offer. We don't offer IV sedation or in-office monitored conscious sedation, the kind where you're unaware during the procedure. That level of sedation requires a separate permit and facility inspection we don't hold. If that's what you need, we'll refer you to a local oral surgeon or sedation specialist.
If you're not sure which option fits, call us and tell us what procedure you're scheduling and how you're feeling about it. A short conversation is usually enough to figure it out.
At Nations Dental Studio, your trusted Nashville dentist, we provide Sedation Dentistry along with comprehensive dental care for patients of all ages.
How It Works
What to Expect
Before Your Appointment
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Tell us at scheduling whether you want nitrous oxide or an anti-anxiety prescription
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If you're taking a prescription: fill it ahead of time and follow the instructions for when to take it
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If you're taking a prescription: arrange a driver for the day of your appointment
During Your Visit
Check-in
We go over your medical history and confirm the plan. If you're using nitrous, we fit the nose mask now.
The edge comes off
Nitrous takes a minute or two to settle in. If you took a prescription at home, you're likely already feeling it.
Your procedure
We do the work you came in for. You're awake and responsive the whole time, just calmer.
You head home
Nitrous: we switch it off, you recover in minutes, you drive yourself home. Prescription: your driver takes you home to rest.
After Treatment
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Nitrous oxide: no restrictions. Back to your normal day.
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Anti-anxiety prescription: no driving, no important decisions, no machinery for the rest of the day. Plan a quiet evening.
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Follow the post-op instructions for the procedure itself (cleaning, filling, extraction, etc.)
Who This Helps
When These Options Are a Good Fit
You may be a good candidate if:
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Adults who feel nervous at the dentist but want to get care done
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Patients returning after a long time away
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People with a sensitive gag reflex
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Longer or more involved appointments where sitting still is hard
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Kids who do well with nitrous oxide
Other options may be better if:
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If you need to be asleep or unaware during a procedure, you're looking for IV sedation or in-office conscious sedation. We don't offer that here. We'll refer you to a local specialist.
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Some medical conditions or medications make nitrous or anti-anxiety prescriptions a poor fit. We'll go over your history before we make a plan.
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For children 13 and under, nitrous oxide is the only anxiety option we offer. Tennessee requires a separate permit for anti-anxiety prescriptions in younger kids, and we don't hold that permit.
The honest answer about which option fits comes from a quick conversation. Tell us what procedure you're scheduling and what's making you nervous, and we'll tell you what makes sense.
Questions, Answered
Common Questions About Our Anxiety Options
What kinds of sedation do you offer?
Two things. Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) in the chair, and an anti-anxiety prescription you fill at your pharmacy and take at home before your appointment. That's what we offer with a general dental license.
Will I be asleep or unaware during the procedure?
No. With nitrous, you're fully awake and just more relaxed. With the prescription, you're awake and will remember the appointment. Neither option puts you to sleep. If you need to be unaware during the procedure, ask us for a referral to a local oral surgeon or sedation specialist who offers IV or conscious sedation.
Do I need a driver?
Nitrous oxide: no. It wears off in minutes and you can drive yourself home. Anti-anxiety prescription: yes. You'll need someone to drive you both ways and you should plan to rest the rest of the day.
Can my child have nitrous oxide?
Yes. Nitrous is safe and common in pediatric dentistry. For patients 13 and under, nitrous is the only anxiety option we offer. Anti-anxiety prescriptions for younger children require a separate permit we don't hold.
How much does it cost?
Nitrous oxide typically adds $50-$150 to your appointment depending on length. The anti-anxiety prescription is filled at your pharmacy at standard prescription cost. We'll give you specifics before you schedule so there are no surprises.
Does insurance cover it?
Nitrous oxide coverage depends on your dental plan and is sometimes covered when medically necessary. The anti-anxiety prescription is handled through your pharmacy benefit, not your dental insurance. We'll verify what we can before your appointment.
I've had a bad experience at the dentist before. What should I expect here?
Tell us what happened. A lot of dental anxiety comes from not knowing what's coming next, or from feeling like the dentist isn't listening. Dr. D'Aoust walks you through each step before she starts, stops when you need her to stop, and doesn't rush. That's true whether you're using nitrous, a prescription, or nothing at all.
Can I get IV sedation or be fully sedated at your office?
No. We don't offer IV sedation or in-office monitored conscious sedation. That level of care requires a separate permit and facility inspection that we don't hold. If that's what you need, we'll refer you to a local oral surgeon or sedation specialist who does.
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Talk to us first
Call Before You Worry About It
If you've been putting off dental work because you're anxious, call us. A five-minute conversation is usually enough to figure out whether nitrous, a prescription, or a referral is the right call for you. No pressure and no judgment.
5-Star reviews from our Nashville patients
We have worked with thousands of amazing patients
Nations Dental Studio has over 479 reviews and a 5.0 rating on Google
"Today was my first time at Nations Dental Studio and it was far and away the best experience I have ever had at a dental practice. The hygienist was meticulous and made me feel very comfortable throughout. The specialist was just as great, I really felt like they cared about my teeth/ health like nothing I have experienced at other practices. I cannot say enough good things about my entire visit."
"Totally love this place! Everyone I met on my first visit today was fabulous. I had been impressed with Dr. D'Aoust at a practice where she had worked previously, and when my insurance changed, I decided to give her new practice a try. Not only is she great, but the staff she has working with her is wonderful. Professional, personable, thorough, and delightful. Who knew one could look forward to the next trip to the dentist's office? Thanks for a great experience today!"
"Beautiful office and incredibly friendly staff. Dr. D'Aoust is awesome and never makes you feel rushed. She doesn't suggest anything unnecessary and explains the treatments thoroughly. Highly recommend."
"Today was my first time at Nations Dental Studio and it was far and away the best experience I have ever had at a dental practice. The hygienist was meticulous and made me feel very comfortable throughout. The specialist was just as great, I really felt like they cared about my teeth/ health like nothing I have experienced at other practices. I cannot say enough good things about my entire visit."
"Totally love this place! Everyone I met on my first visit today was fabulous. I had been impressed with Dr. D'Aoust at a practice where she had worked previously, and when my insurance changed, I decided to give her new practice a try. Not only is she great, but the staff she has working with her is wonderful. Professional, personable, thorough, and delightful. Who knew one could look forward to the next trip to the dentist's office? Thanks for a great experience today!"
"Beautiful office and incredibly friendly staff. Dr. D'Aoust is awesome and never makes you feel rushed. She doesn't suggest anything unnecessary and explains the treatments thoroughly. Highly recommend."
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