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101 Union St N, Nashville, Tennessee 37201, US
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How do we deal with dental anxiety?

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Let’s be real here: We know that visiting the dentist can be something that makes many patients nervous. Research shows that 20% of individuals who experience severe anxiety will only go to the dentist if absolutely necessary.

However, regular dental checkups are vital not only because they keep your teeth and gums healthy, but they can also help protect and maintain your overall health and well-being.

Downtown Dental is sensitive to the fears and concerns of our Nashville dental patients and we strive to create a comfortable environment for all patients, no matter their personal concerns. If the idea of visiting the dentist gives you anxiety, consider a few reasons why Dr. Clark's office can help ease your fears:

We listen.

We invite you to express your worries from the very first moment you call to book an appointment. Our team makes your concerns our concerns. Whether you’ve had a bad experience in the past, are afraid of needles, or are apprehensive about any specific part of your appointment, let’s discuss it. We promise to listen carefully to get a full understanding of how you feel.

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We give you all the information and discuss solutions.

Dr. Clark and our team will share with you a full range of options and information so you can make an educated decision about your personal treatment. We will not rush you into a decision you’re not comfortable with.

Additionally, we offer safe, effective dental sedation that has helped other patients like you overcome their dental fears. There are several options available; our team will be happy to discuss the solution that’s right for you and your treatment. 

Are you concerned about cost or time?

In addition to general fear of the dentist, many patients might be anxious about the cost or duration of necessary dental treatments.

We make a point to discuss your options in detail with you so you feel comfortable with every aspect of treatment. Depending on the procedure needed, there may be multiple options available that can fit your time frame and/or budget. Some procedures can be completed in the same day.

Your treatment coordinator will explain to you how you can best maximize your dental benefit assistance and the various financing options available to you in order to make your treatment affordable.  The ultimate decision is yours to make, and we will make sure you have all the information you need to choose the treatment plan and financing option that’s right for your dental health and your wallet.

Bottom line: we deal with dental phobia every single day, and we get it. We won't judge you or dismiss your fears, and we'll do everything we can to work with you to feel more relaxed. Beyond the initial anxiety, regaining control of your dental health will be the biggest step you ever take in overcoming your fear of the dentist.

Services

Prevention, Gum Health & Comfort

  • Cleanings & Gum Health: Gentle hygiene with laser therapy options to limit antibiotics.
  • Cavity Care: Conservative fillings/onlays that save healthy tooth.
  • Sensitivity & Emergency Relief: Same-day when possible.
  • Cold Sore & Ulcer Laser Treatment: Laser care for herpetic lesions/aphthous ulcers to reduce pain and speed healing.
  • Risk & Habits Review: Diet, saliva, myofunction, and mouth-breathing that elevate cavity/gum risk.
  • Homecare Plan: Simple, sustainable changes with measurable impact.

Restorative & Missing Teeth Replacement 

  • Conservative Cavity Care: Small, tooth-colored fillings that remove as little enamel as possible so your teeth last longer.
  • Inlays & Onlays First: Bonded inlays/onlays as our go-to over crowns, preserving far more natural tooth structure.
  • Enamel-Sparing Crowns: When crowns are truly needed, we design them to leave up to 50% more natural enamel than typical approaches.
  • Save-Your-Teeth Reconstruction: In severe wear or erosion, we rebuild and stabilize teeth that many offices would extract for full-arch implants, often avoiding full-mouth removal.
  • Full-Arch Implants When Needed: All-on-X-style implant solutions for cases that genuinely require extractions-never a one-size-fits-all default.
  • Bite-Tuned, Long-Lasting Results: Every restoration is calibrated to your bite to reduce fractures and the cycle of redoing dentistry every few years.

Bite, TMJ & Myofunction

  • Digital Bite Mapping & Calibration: Measure contacts and timing to stop chips, cracks, and “high” crowns.
  • Custom Day/Night Appliances: Designed to your ideal joint/muscle balance (beyond generic guards).
  • Myofunctional Therapy: Retrain tongue, lips, and breathing to reduce clenching, improve stability, and lower cavity/gum risk.
  • TMJ Care (Non-Surgical): Joint, muscles, teeth, airway/sleep, and posture considered together.

Airway, Sleep & Myofunction

  • Screening for Mouth-Breathing/Apnea: Identify sleep contributors to inflammation, decay, and grinding.
  • Oral Appliances and Myofunctional Therapy for Sleep Apnea: Plus collaboration with sleep/ENT partners.
  • Tongue-Tie Release (Frenectomy): When indicated, to support nasal breathing, speech, and oral function.

Orthodontics & Alignment (Adults & Teens)

  • Clear Aligners/Orthodontics: Improve alignment and function, timed to health and airway needs.
  • Relapse & Retention Planning: Stabilize muscles and bite so results last.

Kids & Growing Smiles

  • Early Growth & Airway Evaluation — Age-appropriate screening for nasal breathing, tongue posture, crowding, and sleep-related issues.
  • Myofunctional Support (Early Intervention) — Train healthy habits (nasal breathing, tongue posture, lip seal, chewing/swallow) to guide growth and reduce future problems.
  • Guided Orthodontics — When needed, we time orthodontic treatment to growth to expand space, correct crowding, and help them catch up if development is behind.
  • One Team, Clear Roadmap — We coordinate with parents on what to do now, what to watch, and when to act next.

Cosmetic & Facial Aesthetics

  • Prepless, conservative veneers: Transform your smile while preserving your natural enamel whenever possible.
  • Facially driven smile design & previews: Plan your smile around your face, lips, and profile-and use digital mockups/temporaries to try out your new look before anything is permanent.
  • Non-surgical "dental facelift": Improve facial support, fullness, and symmetry through thoughtful changes in bite and tooth position.
  • Additive cosmetic bonding: Repair chips and reshape worn edges without aggressive drilling.
  • Whitening & color harmony: Professional whitening and shade-matching that works with your natural teeth and restorations.
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Working Hours

Ready to stop by? View Downtown Dental’s office hours below.
Monday7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday7:00 AM – 3:00 PM
SaturdayClosed
SundayClosed
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Modern Care. Timeless Smiles.