Sedation Dentistry | BDC Dental Brentwood

Fear-free dentistry starts here

Explore the sedation options that help you stay calm, relaxed, and pain-free during dental treatment.

Sedation Services

for a Relaxed Dental Experience

Sedation dentistry helps patients who experience dental anxiety, sensitive gag reflex, or require longer/multiple procedures.

Sedation dentistry is ideal for patients:

Who are nervous or anxious.

Who have sensitive teeth.

Have a low pain threshold.

Have a sensitive gag reflex.

Need short or long oral surgery.

Type of

Dental Sedation Options

Standard for pain control (included)

Local Anesthesia

Included free with every procedure (even cleanings)
Completely numbs the tooth and gum
Zero pain during treatment
You stay fully awake and in control

Afraid of needles?

We apply numbing gel first so you barely feel the injection!

Optional for relaxation (extra cost)

Nitrous Oxide

Oral Sedation

IV Sedation

General Anesthesia

Local Anesthesia (Freezing)

No sedation effect

Fully awake

Full memory

Injection near treatment site (numbing gel first if afraid of needles)

Starts in a few minutes

Numb area; no pain, only pressure

No supervision needed

Best for minimal anxiety

Doesn’t reduce anxiety; may not fully numb infected teeth

No extra charge

Nitrous Oxide

(Laughing gas)

Mild sedation

Fully awake and can talk

Full memory

Breathing mask over nose

Starts in about 15 minutes

Feels calm, warm, sometimes happy; wears off in minutes

No supervision needed

Best for mild anxiety and short visits

Doesn’t work well if nose is stuffy; not strong enough for high anxiety; may cause headache/nausea if used >90 min

Cost: $200+

Oral Sedation (Halcion, Ativan, Triazolam)

Mild to moderate sedation

Conscious but very drowsy (may need gentle waking)

Mostly full memory

Taken as a pill (swallowed or under tongue)

Starts in about 1 hour

Feels calm, relaxed, sleepy, sometimes euphoric + muscle weakness

Must have ride home + someone to watch you for 24 hours

Best for moderate anxiety

Dose can’t be adjusted once taken; effects vary person-to-person; groggy up to 24 hours

Cost: Around $200

IV

Sedation (Intravenous Sedation)

Moderate to deep Sedation

Conscious but very sleepy (may need gentle waking)

Partial or little memory

Given through IV in arm (same family of drugs as oral, but controllable)

Starts in a few minutes

Feels deeply relaxed; dose can be adjusted instantly during treatment

Must have ride home + someone to watch you for 24 hours

Best for moderate to severe anxiety and longer procedures

Groggy and loopy up to 24 hours

Cost: $800+

General Anesthesia (GA)

Deep Sedation

Completely unconscious

No memory at all

IV drugs + breathing tube by licensed anesthesiologist

Starts immediately

No awareness during procedure

Must have ride home + someone to watch you for 24 hours

Best for extreme anxiety or complex surgeries

Higher medical risks (reviewed by anesthesiologist); requires referral; highest cost

Cost: $2,000+

Local Anesthesia (Freezing)

How It’s Given

An anesthetic drug is administered via an injection near the specific treatment site.

Feeling

The treatment site feels numb, eliminating pain. You will still feel pressure and remain fully awake and aware throughout the procedure. There is no sedation effect.

Use Case

Ideal for patients with minimal anxiety whose primary concern is pain management. It is the standard method for most routine dental work (fillings, crowns).

Setting

Available in all dental practices. No supervision is needed after the appointment, and you can drive yourself home.

Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)

How It’s Given

The gas mixture is inhaled through a small breathing mask placed over the nose. Onset takes about 15 minutes.

Feeling

You feel a sense of calmness, warmth, and relaxation, sometimes described as euphoric or "giggly." You are fully awake and responsive to conversation. The effects wear off within minutes after the gas is stopped.

Use Case

Best for patients with mild anxiety and for procedures that are relatively short (less than 90 minutes).

Setting

Available in most dental offices. No supervision is needed afterward, and you can drive yourself home.

Oral Sedation (Halcion, Ativan, Triazolam)

How It’s Given

A pill is swallowed (or dissolved under the tongue) about one hour before the appointment.

Feeling

You feel significantly calmer, deeply relaxed, and drowsy, potentially feeling euphoric and experiencing muscle weakness. You are conscious but may drift off and need to be gently awakened to respond. Memory is mostly unaffected, though some patients experience mild gaps.

Use Case

Best for patients with moderate anxiety. It is limited because the dose cannot be adjusted once taken.

Setting

Available in most dental offices. A responsible adult must drive you home and monitor you for the following 24 hours.

IV Sedation (Intravenous Sedation)

How It’s Given

Sedative medication is administered directly into the bloodstream through an IV line placed in the arm or hand. Onset is immediate (a few minutes).

Feeling

Similar to oral sedation but achieving a deeper state of relaxation. You are conscious but often groggy and minimally responsive. Patients typically experience partial amnesia (little to no memory of the procedure). The dose can be adjusted throughout the visit.

Use Case

Best for moderate to severe anxiety, patients requiring longer visits, or those undergoing oral surgery (like wisdom teeth removal).

Setting

Requires specialized training for the administering doctor/nurse. A responsible adult must drive you home and monitor you for the following 24 hours.

General Anesthesia (GA)

How It’s Given

Administered via IV and a breathing tube by a dedicated anesthesiologist. Onset is immediate.

Feeling

You are rendered completely unconscious and will have no awareness during the procedure. There is complete amnesia.

Use Case

Reserved for cases of severe anxiety/phobia, extremely complex procedures, or patients who cannot cooperate while conscious (e.g., special needs patients).

Setting

Typically performed in a hospital or specialized surgical facility. Requires referral and an anesthesiology team. A responsible adult must drive you home and monitor you for the following 24 hours.

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Sedation Services

Patients who are anxious about their dental appointment, have a severe gag reflex or require a long procedure, sedation dentistry is a safe and simple option. Dr. Albert Tung is one of a few dentists in Calgary with general anesthetic privileges at the Riverview Surgical Center. This allows him to perform longer dental procedures which are ideal for children who require sedation under general anesthetic.

Sedation dentistry is ideal for patients:

Who are nervous or anxious.
Who have sensitive teeth.
Have a low pain threshold.
Have a sensitive gag reflex.
Need short or long oral surgery.

Types of sedations services available:

Nitrous Oxide Sedation: Commonly known as “laughing gas”, nitrous oxide is a mild form of sedation and is inhaled through a soft nasal mask, making the patient more relaxed and free from anxiety during their dental procedures.

Oral Sedation: Considered to be a light to moderate form of sedation. Prescribed medication is taken orally to reduce anxiety during the dental procedure. Patients may sleep or doze off during but can be conscious and responsive. The effects last longer then Nitrous oxide and will require a companion to drive them to and from their appointment and help monitor for up to 24 hours.

Intravenous Sedation (IV): An ideal technique for patients who require a deeper level of sedation. Patients may still be conscious and can respond, but often do not recall much of the procedure. The medication is administered intravenously and monitored by an advanced certified anesthesiologist.

General Anesthetics: The deepest level of sedation where patients will be unconscious. Dr. Albert Tung has special privileges to a general anesthetic surgical suite at the Riverview Surgical Center where he can perform a variety of dental procedures under general anesthetics. This is ideal for long complex procedures and children who require sedation.

Children Sedation:

Some children have terrible fear of the dentist and simply refuse to cooperate. If this is the case, sedation dentistry may be a good option to help make a better dental experience. Nitrous oxide is safe for most children and is routinely used to treat younger patients. Oral sedation can be used as long as the dosage is administered properly. Intravenous sedation and General Anesthetics are also options, and will be administered and monitored accordingly.

What to expect:

Follow your specific instructions from your dentist during your pre-op consultation as they will be more specific to your needs based on your medical history and lifestyle. The following instructions are general guidelines and tips:

Pre-procedure guidelines:

No food or water 6 hours prior to your appointment.
Do not use illegal drugs or consume alcohol prior.
Inform us of any prescription drugs you are taking.

Post-procedure tips:

Have another responsible adult to assist taking you home as you will likely feel drowsy and unable to drive after your appointment.
Do not drive or operate heavy machinery for 24 hours after sedation.
Gradually eat and drink to help you return to your normal state.
Stay hydrated by drinking lots of fluids.
Recommendation to avoid smoking and alcohol consumption for 24 hours.

Contact us for more information.

Book a free consultation>>

Fear-free dentistry starts here

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Sedation Services

Sedation dentistry is ideal for patients:

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Types of sedations services available:

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Children Sedation:

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What to expect:

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Pre-procedure guidelines:

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Post-procedure tips:

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