Sedation Dentistry Markham

Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, is a mild sedative that helps you relax during dental procedures. It is inhaled through a small mask placed over your nose and takes effect quickly. Laughing gas lets you remain awake and responsive while feeling calm and comfortable. The effects wear off quickly, so you can drive home after the appointment.

Oral sedation involves taking a prescribed sedative pill before your dental appointment. The medication helps you feel deeply relaxed during the procedure. Oral sedation may make you drowsy, but you’ll still be awake and aware of what’s happening. However, you may need someone to drive you home after the treatment.

For patients with severe dental anxiety or those undergoing more complex procedures, IV sedation offers a deeper level of relaxation. Administered directly into the bloodstream, IV sedation allows the dentist to adjust the level of sedation throughout the procedure. You’ll remain conscious but deeply relaxed and may have little or no memory of the procedure afterward.

For patients with the most severe and extreme forms of dental anxiety or those undergoing unusually long or complex procedures, deep sedation/general will ensure you are completely asleep during the procedure (“sleep dentistry”). In this form of sedation, you will be intubated and attached to an anesthesia gas machine. Most patients have little or no memory of the procedure afterward.

Our dental team has extensive experience in providing sedation dentistry. We carefully monitor each patient throughout their procedure to ensure their safety and comfort.

Our clinic is designed to provide a relaxing and welcoming atmosphere for patients. We understand the importance of feeling at ease during dental visits, and we go above and beyond to create a stress-free experience.

We know that every patient is unique. That’s why we tailor our sedation options to meet your individual needs, ensuring you feel comfortable and relaxed during your treatment.

Who is a good candidate for sedation dentistry?

Sedation dentistry can help a lot of different patients feel more settled during treatment at our Markham practice. It is not just for people going through complicated procedures. If the thought of a dental visit is what keeps you from booking the care you need, a conversation with our team about your comfort options is a good place to start. At your consultation, our dentists go over your medical history, current medications, and past dental experiences to help work out whether sedation may be a fit for you.

Sedation dentistry may be worth looking into if any of these sound like you:

• You get dental anxiety or feel uneasy in the chair and want a calmer visit
• You have a strong gag reflex that makes cleanings, impressions, or restorations hard to get through
• You have several procedures to get done, or a longer appointment, and want to sit comfortably the whole time
• You have sensitive teeth or find it hard to stay relaxed when we work near certain areas of the mouth
• You have a hard time getting numb with local anaesthetic on its own
• You have special needs or find it hard to sit still for longer treatment, whether as a child or an adult

Not everyone is a candidate for every level of sedation. Certain health conditions, pregnancy, and some medications all bear on which option is suitable, and that is why an individual assessment matters. Our team, along with our dental anaesthesiologist, Dr. Fabien Charbonneau, will talk through what makes sense for your situation and answer your questions before anything is booked.

How to prepare for a sedation appointment

A little preparation helps your sedation appointment go smoothly. Our team gives you written instructions ahead of time, and the details shift depending on the level of sedation you and your dentist have settled on. Following them closely lets your clinician stay focused on your treatment and comfort on the day.

• Bring a full list of your medications, supplements, and any allergies, and tell us about recent changes to your health
• Ask whether you need to fast, since deeper forms of sedation often call for an empty stomach for a set number of hours beforehand
• Line up a responsible adult to drive you home and stay with you afterward when your sedation involves oral, IV, or deeper options
• Wear comfortable, loose clothing and take off nail polish if we ask, so the monitoring equipment can read accurately
• Plan to take the rest of the day off from work, driving, and big decisions when you get anything beyond nitrous oxide
• Confirm the appointment time and call our office at 905-771-1611 with any questions before you come in

Being open with our team is one of the biggest parts of getting ready. Details that seem small, like an over-the-counter sleep aid or a herbal supplement, can matter when we plan sedation. If anything in your instructions is unclear, call us and we will walk through it with you.

What to expect during recovery afterward

How you feel after sedation depends on the level used. With nitrous oxide, the effects wear off within minutes once the gas is stopped, and most patients can drive themselves home and get back to their usual routine. With oral, IV, or deeper sedation, the medication takes longer to clear, and you may feel drowsy, a little unsteady, or hazy about parts of the appointment for the rest of the day.

For a comfortable recovery, we suggest resting at home, easing back into food and drink as directed, and letting the adult who came with you help through the first several hours. Our team will go over any instructions specific to the treatment you had, including how to handle tenderness and when to pick your normal activities back up. If questions come up once you are home, you are always welcome to call our Markham office.

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