Sedation Dentistry in Nashville, TN
Calm, Comfortable Care With a Dental Anesthesiologist
- IV and Oral Conscious Sedation Available
- Medical Screening Before Any Sedation
- Office Designed Like a Luxury Hotel Suite
Meet Our Anesthesiologist, Dr. Matthew Yezerski
At our office, feeling relaxed goes beyond medication. We want every patient to enjoy true peace of mind, knowing that safety guides every step of their care. That’s why we partner with a board-certified dental anesthesiologist who provides safe, carefully monitored sedation from the moment your procedure begins until the moment it ends.
Dr. Yezerski is a member of Nashville Office-Based Anesthesia (NOBA) and is certified by both the Tennessee Board of Dentistry and the Kentucky Board of Dentistry to provide deep sedation and general anesthesia. He earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the University of Kentucky, then completed three years of advanced anesthesia training at Stony Brook University Medical Center in New York.
Knowledge Is Power and Comfort
Sedation isn't the only tool we use to help patients feel comfortable under our care. Check out some other ways we help patients feel confident about undergoing treatment with our team:
Count On Us for Patient Education
A major source of anxiety among many dental patients is their lack of knowledge regarding their oral health needs, the conditions affecting their smile, and how the recommended treatment will resolve those conditions. That is why we take time to explain why we are recommending certain treatments, how they are performed, and the benefits they can provide you. During your consultation, you can ask any questions you wish, and you can depend on your dentist to provide straightforward answers in simple terms.
Our Nashville Office Is Welcoming and Comfortable
Another reason why patients may feel uneasy receiving dental care is because they are in an unfamiliar or overly clinical environment. We have gone to great lengths to make our Nashville office look more like a luxury hotel suite than a traditional dental office. You won't find bright fluorescent lighting or empty white walls here. We also welcome patients to tour our office ahead of time so they can become familiar with the space we have created. In fact, if there is anything at all that we can do to make your experience more enjoyable, please let us know!
When to Consider Sedation Dentistry
Dental Fear and Anxiety
Have you ever delayed or completely avoided dental care due to anxiety? Were you able to get the care you needed, but felt nervous the entire time? If any of this sounds familiar to you, you should absolutely consider sedation dentistry. Whether it's a matter of getting in the door or simply feeling at ease during treatment, we want to help make it happen, and sedation can be a powerful tool in achieving this.
Difficulty Sitting Still
Maybe you are totally comfortable with the idea of undergoing dental care, but struggle to sit still comfortably for long periods. We understand, and we are ready to accommodate. We can determine if sedation is right for you, and recommend the right type to help your appointment pass quickly and comfortably.
Lengthy Procedures
Are you in need of a procedure such as dental implant placement that is going to take a relatively long time? Although it's entirely possible to undergo implant placement with local anesthesia alone, we understand that many patients would prefer the process to feel like it passed in the blink of an eye. We will discuss this option during your consultation to help you decide whether you wish to incorporate it into your treatment.
Your Comfort Is Important to Us Contact Us With Your Questions
It's no secret that Dr. Newman's dental practice is the destination for outstanding dentistry in an office designed for relaxation.
We realize that dental phobia affects an estimated 36% of Americans and that our luxury amenities and elite level of care aren't always enough to overcome that. That's why our dentist is willing to go the extra mile to provide sedation in the utmost safety.
Whether you want to take your smile to a stunning new level or just need a checkup, Dr. Newman is a dentist who will make sure you feel calm and comfortable from start to finish. To learn more about how sedation can help you, request a dental consultation online today or give us a call:
Types of Sedation Offered at Our Practice
Intravenous (IV) Sedation
This method delivers a sedative directly to the patient's bloodstream, inducing a state of twilight sleep. With IV sedation, you will be deeply relaxed, but you won't be completely unconscious. The advantage of this method is that it can be instantly adjusted to provide the level of relaxation you need.
Oral Conscious Sedation
This method (sometimes simply called "oral sedation") involves taking prescription medication prior to your appointment in order to achieve relaxation by the time your treatment begins. Like IV sedation, oral sedation will not cause you to lose consciousness. Instead, you will achieve deep relaxation that will make time seem to pass very quickly.
Which Type Should I Choose?
Both oral conscious sedation and IV sedation are effective means of achieving deep relaxation in the dentist's chair, but their unique characteristics may make one a better choice for you than the other.
- How intense is your anxiety? If you experience intense anxiety at the dentist's office, IV sedation might be the better option.
- Have you received oral conscious sedation before? If you have, and if you liked your experience, oral conscious sedation will likely be a good fit for you again. However, if you are inexperienced with sedation dentistry and want to be sure you are deeply relaxed throughout treatment, consider IV sedation, which can be quickly adjusted throughout treatment to achieve the desired effects.
- How extensive is your procedure? A filling or other relatively simple procedure may be easily tolerated with oral conscious sedation. However, if you are undergoing multiple procedures or a procedure that is especially complex, IV sedation can ensure that you maintain a consistent level of relaxation for as long as needed.
Preparing for Sedation Dentistry
As our patient, you will receive specific instructions to follow before and after your appointment.
Before Your Appointment
You will be advised not to eat for a certain amount of time before your appointment at our Nashville office. If you are undergoing treatment in the morning, for example, you may be asked not to eat after midnight the night before. If you undergo oral conscious sedation, Dr. Newman will tell you when to take your pills prior to the appointment. Because you will be groggy from the medication, you should also arrange to have someone take you to your appointment and drive you home afterward.
After Your Appointment
Once your appointment is over, you can expect to continue feeling the effects of sedation for several hours as it wears off. Your designated driver should be able to help you to the vehicle and help you get inside your home after the drive. Plan to spend the rest of the day relaxing. By the next morning, you should be capable of safely driving, going to work, and doing your normal routine.
We’ll Assess Your Health History to Ensure Your Safety
We will thoroughly evaluate your medical history to make absolutely certain that you can safely undergo sedation dentistry treatment. Sedation should not be provided to patients who:
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Are allergic to the medications used
- Are taking pharmaceuticals for depression treatment
- Have acute narrow-angle glaucoma
- Have uncontrolled diabetes
Our Nashville dentistry practice will not provide sedation unless it is safe to do so. When necessary, we can consult with your general doctor to confirm that you are a candidate for this treatment.
Sedation Dentistry FAQ
There is no substitute for a one-on-one consultation at our Nashville practice, but if you are still unsure about booking a visit, or if you are waiting for your appointment, here is some more information that can help you:
Is sedation dentistry worth it?
The best way to answer this question is to consider how reluctant anxiety or other issues make you feel when it comes to dental work. Oral health issues don't just get better on their own. The worse they become, the more expensive they become to fix. Meanwhile, issues like gum disease can take a serious toll on your overall health. If sedation would help you become able to receive essential dental care, and if there are no contraindications such as pregnancy or allergies, this option can be of immense value to you.
Can I go to work after sedation dentistry?
No. The effects of both IV sedation and oral sedation take a few hours to wear off. For this reason, we recommend taking the entire day away from work and other obligations. We also insist that you arrange for someone to drive you to and from your appointment.
What does it feel like to be sedated at the dentist's office?
You have probably heard the phrase "sleep dentistry," but you will not actually be asleep when receiving IV or oral conscious sedation. After you are administered the medication, you will be heavily relaxed in a state of near-sleep, but still able to respond to questions from our dentist. Meanwhile, time will pass quickly, and you will not likely have any memory of your treatment once it has ended.
Can I eat before sedation?
Generally speaking, you should not eat or drink anything for about six hours before your appointment. Following this simple guideline can help you avoid nausea and keep your gag reflex manageable.
