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Sedation Dentistry in
Johnson City, TN
If fear has kept you out of the chair, this is a good place to come back. A calm office, a caring team, nitrous oxide in every room, and a dentist who takes his time mean most patients are more comfortable than they ever expected.
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Fear is a reason to come in, not to stay away.
Dental anxiety is common, it's real, and it's the number one reason people put off care until a small problem becomes a big one. Our job is to take the fear out of the equation so the work can actually get done.
Whether it's a bad experience years ago, a strong gag reflex, trouble getting numb, or just a deep dislike of the whole thing, we'll work with you. Nobody here will make you explain yourself.
A calmer kind of office
Comfort starts before any treatment does. Our team is warm and patient, and nitrous oxide is plumbed to every operatory, including the hygiene rooms, so calming support is always close by. In our operative rooms, you can watch a show on a ceiling-mounted TV with Bluetooth noise-cancelling headphones during your procedure.
Nitrous oxide, whenever you need it
Nitrous takes the edge off within minutes and wears off quickly once the mask comes off, so you can drive yourself home. It's available for cleanings, fillings, implants, and everything in between.
Confidence counts, too
Dr. Nauss has completed many All-on-X procedures and implant surgeries with no sedation at all, using local anesthesia and a calm, confident approach. For a lot of patients, knowing exactly what's happening and trusting the person doing it makes all the difference.
Oral and IV sedation, coming soon
We plan to offer oral and IV sedation in our office in the future for patients who need deeper relaxation. If that's something you're waiting on, give us a call and let us know.
Calm, built in.
What we do to make your visit easier today, and what's coming next.
Laughing gas, plumbed to every operatory, including our hygiene rooms. A light, relaxed feeling within minutes that fades shortly after the mask comes off. You can drive yourself home.
Learn more →Our operative rooms have TVs mounted on the ceiling and Bluetooth noise-cancelling headphones, so you can put on a show and tune out the sounds of treatment.
In every operative roomComing in the future for patients who need deeper relaxation. Until then, nitrous, local anesthesia, and an unhurried pace keep most patients comfortable.
Coming soonA comfortable visit, start to finish.
- 01Consult
We go over your health history, medications, and what's making you nervous. Dr. Nauss explains exactly what to expect, step by step.
- 02Settle in
Put on a show on the ceiling TV, slip on the noise-cancelling headphones, and get comfortable. Nitrous can start before any dental work does.
- 03Numb and ready
Local anesthesia is given gently, and treatment doesn't start until you're fully numb.
- 04Treatment
Dr. Nauss works at an unhurried pace and tells you what's happening as he goes. You can ask for a break at any time.
- 05Recover and go
Nitrous clears within minutes after the mask comes off, so most patients drive themselves home. We'll follow up to check on you.
Who we help most.
You don't need a diagnosis of dental phobia. If any of the first column sounds like you, you're in the right place.
- Feel anxious or panicky about dental visits
- Have avoided the dentist for years because of fear
- Have a strong gag reflex that makes treatment hard
- Have trouble getting numb with local anesthetic alone
- Need a long procedure like implants, multiple extractions, or a full mouth of work
- Have a bad experience in your past that still gets in the way
- Have heart or lung conditions (we may coordinate with your physician)
- Take medications that affect anesthesia
- Are pregnant or nursing
- Have had a bad reaction to nitrous or local anesthesia before
- Have trouble breathing through your nose (nitrous is delivered through a nasal mask)
- Feel you need deeper sedation than nitrous provides (we'll talk through your options)
Dr. John Nauss, DMD
Dr. Nauss's number one priority, in his own words, is to connect with every patient individually and make them feel comfortable. He has completed many All-on-X and implant procedures using local anesthesia alone and a calm, confident approach, and his team is right there with you from start to finish.
Let's get it right.
Tell us a little about what you need and we'll be in touch to find a time that works. New patients of every age are welcome, and if it's been a while, that's fine too.
Call (423) 282-5208 Accepting new patientsFriday to Sunday: Closed
Questions, answered.
What patients ask most about staying comfortable at the dentist in Johnson City.
Do you offer sedation?
Yes. Nitrous oxide is available in every operatory, including our hygiene rooms. Oral and IV sedation will be offered in our office in the future.
What does nitrous oxide feel like?
Most people describe a light, relaxed, slightly floaty feeling. You stay awake and can talk with Dr. Nauss the whole time, and it wears off within minutes after the mask comes off.
Can I get implants or All-on-X without sedation?
Yes. Dr. Nauss has completed many All-on-X procedures and implant surgeries using local anesthesia alone and a calm, confident approach, with nitrous available if you'd like it.
Do I need someone to drive me?
Not for nitrous. It clears quickly once the mask comes off, so most patients drive themselves home.
I'm nervous but don't want to be sedated. What else helps?
Our operative rooms have ceiling-mounted TVs and Bluetooth noise-cancelling headphones, so you can watch a show and tune out the sounds of treatment. Add a caring team and a dentist who explains every step, and many patients find that's all they need.
How much does sedation cost in Johnson City, TN?
We'll give you the cost of nitrous up front, before treatment starts. We offer financing and a membership plan, and we're in network with Delta Dental Premier only, with help filing out-of-network claims.
Have a different question? Call Apex at (423) 282-5208.