Sedation Dentistry

At Sierra Dental, we know that visiting the dentist is not always easy, especially for patients with anxiety or previous dental trauma. To help you receive the dental care you need with added comfort and care, we offer safe and effective sedation dentistry in Calgary.

With our experienced team and a variety of sedation options such as IV, oral and nitrous oxide, patients frequently tell us how much easier their appointments have become.

Ready to make your next dental visit a calm and rewarding one?

Book a consultation today and our team will help you navigate through your sedation options for a more positive dental experience.

Are You a Good Candidate for Dental Sedation?

Sedation dentistry can be a life-changing option, but it is not suitable for everyone.

At Sierra Dental, our sedation-trained dentists take the time to carefully assess your health history to ensure your safety and comfort.

To give you a better idea if sedation can be done with your dental treatments, check out our question list below. If you answer “yes” to any of them, certain types of sedation may be limited or require special preparation beforehand.

• Do you have high blood pressure or heart disease?
• Do you have diabetes?
• Do you have respiratory problems?
• Do you suffer from obstructive sleep apnea or obesity?
• Do you take daily medications for a medical condition?
• Do you have any known allergies?
• Are you currently pregnant?
• Do you smoke or consume alcohol excessively?

A thorough pre-sedation assessment will be completed before you undergo any sedation procedure. This can guide us in providing patient-focused sedation options.

For instance, if you are taking any medications, our dentist may recommend pausing this in consultation with your healthcare provider.

These extra steps in our sedation treatment allows us to prioritize your well-being at every step, so you and our Calgary patients can feel confident in the care we provide.

Oral Sedation

A calming solution taken before dental appointment to ease your nerves.

Oral sedation allows you to feel relaxed by the time you arrive at the clinic. You will remain awake, but calm. This helps our team deliver the dental care you need in a stress-free environment.

IV Sedation

Deeper level of calm for complex procedures, safely administered by certified providers.

IV sedation is recommended by our dentists for patients with high anxiety, a strong gag reflex, and those needing extra support for long and complex procedures. We have licensed providers in-house to deliver safe and effective IV sedation.

Nitrous Oxide

Gentle and fast-acting, nitrous oxide helps you relax within minutes without any lingering side effects.

Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, is administered through a nasal mask. It is ideal for patients with mild anxiety or those who prefer just light form of sedation. Relaxing effects are felt throughout the treatment, which can wear off quickly, so you can resume your normal activities shortly after.

What to Expect with Sedation Dentistry at Sierra Dental

Sedation dentistry helps ease anxiety and discomfort during dental procedures by placing patients in a relaxed state, while still being awake and responsive.

Here’s how the process typically works:

1. Pre-treatment preparation

Before your appointment, we will review your medical history and treatment plan to determine the most suitable sedation method. Your dentist will also go over your current medications to determine if they can be taken before your treatment.

Depending on the preferred sedation option, you may need to adjust your diet and arrange for a trusted adult to accompany you to and from the clinic.

• Oral Sedation – A little more restrictive with no solid foods consumed for six hours before the appointment, no liquids for three hours before, and no alcohol 24 hours before.
• IV Sedation – Requires preparation by our sedation-certified dentist to provide more specific guidelines.
• Nitrous Oxide – No solid food three hours prior, but water is allowed.

2. Taking the sedation medicine

• Oral Sedation – The pill is taken about an hour before the procedure, or as prescribed by your dentist. You will feel calm and relaxed but remain awake to respond to instructions.
• IV Sedation – This is delivered directly into the bloodstream for a deeper relaxation. It can be adjusted in real-time by our licensed dentist to ensure efficient sedation effects.
• Nitrous Oxide – This is a colourless and odourless gas that is inhaled through a small nose mask that fits over your nose.

3. Dental treatment while relaxed

Once the sedative takes effect, your dentist will begin treatment. You should remain conscious and be able to respond to verbal cues, but you will feel relaxed the entire time.

4. Recovery after sedation

For mild sedation, you should be able to recover quickly and be able to do most things shortly after your appointment.

But for stronger sedation, such as with IV or nitrous oxide, our sedation dentist in Calgary recommends that you have a family member or friend with you to drive you home. You should also take the rest of the day off. Our team will provide full aftercare instructions to ensure a smooth recovery.

Want to learn which sedation method is right for you? Contact our Calgary team today for a personalized consultation.

How Can Dental Sedation Help You?

Dental sedation can make all the difference for patients who feel anxious, fearful, or uncomfortable about dental visits. This can help them maintain a routine of visiting the dentist for a lifetime of better oral health.

Here are some of the top benefits of sedation dentistry that our patients enjoy:

Improved oral health

Fear of the dentist often leads to neglecting routine appointments, which can cause small issues to become severe dental problems. Sedation helps you stay on track by helping you receive preventive and restorative care without any fear.

Stress-free visits

Whether you need routine cleaning or a more complex procedure done, sedation allows you to feel relaxed from start to finish. No more anxiety or delays, just better and efficient oral care.

Minimized risks

Many dental procedures can be done comfortably with sedation, avoiding higher risks, complications, and costs associated with general anesthesia.

More work, fewer appointments

Sedation helps you sit longer and more comfortably, allowing our Calgary dentist to complete your dental treatments efficiently. This saves you time, stress, and money in the long run.

Better relationship with your oral health provider

Our Calgary patients feel more confident about their dental procedures, making them more excited to come back for their routine dental visits. This helps us build trust while we work to improve your long-term oral health.

What Medications Are Used for Sedation Dentistry?

At Sierra Dental, we use trusted medications to ensure your dental treatment is both effective and comfortable.

For oral sedatives, these are usually taken in pill form. It offers longer sedation, but it may take a while to produce the necessary sedative effect and will wear off more slowly. These pills are taken prior to your appointment and typically include:

• Valium (Diazepam)
• Halcion (Triazolam)
• Sonata (Zaleplon)
• Ativan (Lorazepam)

Nitrous oxide, often referred to as “laughing gas”, is a fast-acting and gentle option. It takes effect within minutes and helps you feel calm throughout your visit. Because it wears off quickly, patients are able to return to their daily routines immediately after treatment.

In some cases, nitrous oxide can be administered on the day of your visit as it does not require extensive preparation. Our team can walk you through this available option if anxiety arises unexpectedly during your treatment.

IV Sedation: Safe, Monitored, Designed for Comfort

Our sedation-certified dentists recommend IV sedation to produce a higher level of comfort and calm during lengthy and complex dental procedures. In this sedative method, medication is administered using a small intravenous line that goes directly into the bloodstream.

Our IV sedation dentists, will closely monitor your vital signs during treatment to ensure a safe, effective, and comfortable experience.

Gentle and Calming Dental Care with Sedation Dentistry

Many of our Calgary patients say they never imagined a dental appointment could feel this smooth and easy until they tried our sedation options.

Whether you are experiencing dental anxiety or need to undergo a complex procedure, our caring and certified sedation dentists are here to help you feel at ease.

Call us today at (403) 297-9600 to book your appointment and learn more about how sedation dentistry can help improve your dental experience.

Sedation Dentistry FAQs

Dental sedation through an IV (intravenous) method is particularly effective for inducing deep relaxation and calm states in typical dental patients. It produces little or no memory of the dental procedure afterward and is an increasingly popular choice for patients with anxiety.

For some patients who experience debilitating fear prior to arrival at the dentist’s, oral sedation is a great option-your dentist will prescribe a medication prior to your visit. Oral sedation is a popular and effective option in sedation dentistry.

Nitrous Oxide, commonly known as “laughing gas” is a clear gas that is administered through a nasal mask. Because it is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream through the lungs, it helps calm nervous patients in a timely manner.