Relieving 
Dental Anxiety

Sedation dentistry with Dr. Shanks and his team allows his patients to relax while undergoing restorative and cosmetic dental procedures.
Book An Appointment
small group staff

Relieving 
Dental Anxiety

Sedation dentistry with Dr. Shanks and his team allows his patients to relax while undergoing restorative and cosmetic dental procedures.
Book An Appointment

Limited Time Summer Specials

FREE SEDATION CONSULTATION

Come in for a free consultation and meet Dr. Johnny Shanks, Cumberland county’s trusted, sedation dentist. See why hundreds of your neighbors have chosen to get their smile restorations with Dr. Shanks and his team at Northside Family Dentistry.

Limit 6 Consultations by September 20, 2022

What is 
Sedation Dentistry?

Dental anxiety and fear don't have to prevent you from reaching the healthy, happy smile you deserve. Now you do not need to suffer any longer with Dr. Shanks, a sedation dentist in Crossville, TN. If you’ve been traumatized from negative past experiences, or are overwhelmed by extensive treatment needs. No matter the source behind your dental fear or anxiety, Dr. Johnny Shanks and his dental team are here to make a difference in how you experience dentistry in our office!

Our minimally invasive, gentle approach combined with IV sedation or other options makes receiving dental care a nearly painless experience. In fact, many patients who were once fearful now actually enjoy their dental visits! Northside Family Dentistry in Crossville calms more than just your fears – it can change your relationship with your smile once and for all! We are proud to offer IV sedation and other sedation services to meet a range of patient needs.
staff with patient
dr shanks with staff

Reasons to 
Choose Dental Sedation

Do you…

  • Have difficulty overcoming anxiety about the dentist?
  • Have a low pain threshold?
  • Have sensitive teeth?
  • Have a strong gag reflex?
  • Need a large amount of work done?

Types of Sedation Dentistry

At Northside Family Dentistry, we offer IV sedation, oral sedation, or nitrous oxide for patients who may be experiencing anxiety about their treatment. Here’s some helpful information about each one. Both IV Sedation and Oral Sedation require someone to take you to and from your appointment due to the relaxing effects of the medication.

IV Sedation

IV sedation is ideal for severe dental phobia, difficulty remaining still, multiple surgical treatment needs, or behavioral concerns. IV sedation has near-immediate effects leaving you conscious but with little-to-no memory of your procedure. In addition, IV sedation offers complete relaxation and may make you feel like you slept through your visit.

Oral Sedation

Oral sedation is ideal for moderate dental anxiety, general aversion to the dental office, or a sensitive gag reflex. Oral sedation is a prescriptive pill you take before your appointment. It leaves you feeling relaxed and calm but fully alert and able to respond to our instructions.

Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide is ideal for those who experience common dental jitters or minor anxiety. Nitrous oxide is a clear, odorless gas inhaled before and during the procedure. The effects leave you feeling calm and even euphoric. The effects dissipate quickly once the gas is off and leave you ready to resume regular daily activity.
johnny with patient

100% Committed To Safety

Each team member is 100% committed to making you feel comfortable, providing gentle care, and creating the relaxed environment necessary for positive dental visits. Dr. Johnny Shanks is certified to administer IV sedation and monitors patient safety throughout the entire procedure. He’s experienced and knows the right level of sedation to eliminate your fears. To ensure complete comfort during dental treatment in our Crossville, TN office, we are pleased to offer sedation so you can relax during your treatments.

Sedation Frequently Asked Questions

Dr. Shanks and the Northside Family Dentistry team want you to feel at home and while we are happy to answer questions you may have during the free consultation, here are answers to a few commonly asked questions about sedation.

How does sedation work?

Dr. Johnny Shanks is Crossville’s sedation dentistry expert and will happily guide you to choose the best option for you at your FREE Sedation Consultation. We offer three effective types of sedation, all of which are good options depending on your specific needs.

IV Sedation: With IV sedation, Dr. Shanks will set up an IV drip which will keep you continuously sedated during your treatment. As a result, you will be asleep during the entire procedure but retain all normal reflexes and breathing throughout the treatment. Because this type of sedation doesn’t wear off immediately, it’s important to arrange a ride home from your appointment.

Oral Sedation: With oral sedation, you will be given a small pill to take 1 hour before coming to your appointment. You will be feeling very drowsy by the time you arrive, so it’s crucial to arrange a ride to and from our office.

Nitrous: With Nitrous Oxide or laughing gas, a mask is placed over your face, allowing you to breathe a mixture of oxygen and gas, which relaxes you for the procedure. Since the effects quickly wear off, you can drive yourself home after using this type of sedation.

Is sedation dentistry safe?

Dr. Shanks takes your comfort and safety very seriously and will closely monitor the dosages and sedation of his patients before, during, and after your treatment. Sedation dentistry is entirely safe, especially in the skilled hands of Dr. Shanks and his professional team.

What type of sedation is offered at Northside Family Dentistry?

Dr. Shanks offers three types of sedation. IV Sedation, Oral Sedation, and Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas) sedation. Depending on your anxiety level or the treatment performed, Dr. Shanks will advise a specific type of sedation to suit your needs.

Oral and IV sedation delivers a similar relaxation and a twilight sleep experience where you’re awake but feel deeply relaxed. However, it is normal for patients to experience an amnesia effect afterward and not recall much of their appointment.

What is oral sedation?

Oral sedation is a perfect option for patients who don’t want to use an IV. Before starting the procedure, Dr. Shanks will give you a small sedative to help put you at ease. After that, patients will become very drowsy but will still be awake and responsive to directions. It is possible to increase the dosage for patients who desire more sedation.

How long does the sedation effect last?

For most patients, the effects of oral sedation when getting treatment from Dr. Shanks will last from 2-4 hours after the appointment. Some patients with IV sedation will come out of sedation virtually immediately while others will remain in a state of sedation for a few hours after the appointment. Due to the relaxing effects, the patient will need to secure a ride to and from the appointment. After that, the patient shouldn’t drive or operate machinery for an additional 12 hours for oral sedation and up to 24 hours with IV sedation.

Are there risks with sedation?

Dr. Shanks is a certified sedation expert and will make sure you are safe and comfortable the whole time. Oral and IV sedation has similar effects to amnesia, and most patients can’t remember their dental appointment. In addition, oral medications can cause headaches, dizziness, dry mouth, and occasionally nausea, but these side effects typically pass quickly.

How does sedation dentistry differ from sleep dentistry?

Patients think they’re “under” as they are when they’re in the hospital during traditional surgery. Still, with both Oral and IV sedation, you’ll be awake but relaxed.

Can sedation allow me to get more dentistry done at once?

Since the patient is comfortably sedated, Dr. Shanks can complete procedures that used to take several appointments to complete. This will save you time and money since a single longer appointment is less costly than several short appointments.

Can sedation be used with any procedure or just oral surgery?

Dr. Johnny Shanks can provide sedation for any procedure the patient is uncomfortable proceeding with. From standard dental cleaning to implant placement, just simply ask for sedation, and our team will make you feel comfortable and relaxed.

Can sedation be used for anyone?

While sedation benefits many people, it’s not right for everyone. Depending on your medical history, Dr. Shanks may not recommend sedation. In addition, some chronic conditions may make sedation risky. Finally, if the patient’s medications conflict with the sedation effects, sedation will not be recommended. Request your Free sedation consultation with Dr. Shanks today to learn how sedation may be your best choice for pain-free dentistry.

Limited Time Summer Specials

FREE SEDATION CONSULTATION

Come in for a free consultation and meet Dr. Johnny Shanks, Cumberland county’s trusted, sedation dentist. See why hundreds of your neighbors have chosen to get their smile restorations with Dr. Shanks and his team at Northside Family Dentistry.

Limit 6 Consultations by September 20, 2022

Personal Payment Options

Dr. Shanks Accepts Most Payment Methods
A written estimate will be provided for all comprehensive treatments. If you have insurance, a pre-estimate can be sent to determine coverage. Your account balance must be paid in full on or before your final appointment.
  • Cash or personal checks
  • Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and HSA Cards
  • Comprehensive and Emergency exams
  • CareCredit™ and LendingClub® Financing

Financing Options

CareCredit™ and LendingClub® Offer Our Patients Low or Interest-Free Financing
Northside Family Dentistry partners with CareCredit™ (interest-free) and LendingClub® (low or no-interest) financing. These third-party financial options offer patients a way to pay for their procedures with low monthly payments.
front office looking over payment plans