Sedation Dentistry in Toronto — From Nitrous to General Anesthesia
We understand dental anxiety. Sedation from nitrous oxide to general anesthesia, matched to you at a consultation — all within our authorizations.
- Multiple sedation levels offered
- Anxiety-friendly clinic
- Booked to match your needs
You're not alone — most of our patients are nervous about something.
About 1 in 3 adults avoids the dentist because of anxiety. We see it every day. Some of our most loyal patients told us they hadn't been to a dentist in 10 years before they found us. We listen first. We explain everything. Sedation is one of several tools we use to make care possible.
Differentiator
Two people. Two jobs.
Our dentist focuses entirely on your treatment. Our sedation provider focuses only on your comfort and safety.
You don't have to trust one person to do both.
Sedation options
Sedation levels we offer
Each level the clinic is authorized to offer — verify before publishing. The level we recommend depends on your medical history and the procedure.
Nitrous Oxide
- What it is
- Laughing gas you breathe through a soft nose mask.
- Best for
- Mild nerves and shorter visits.
- You'll be
- Awake but relaxed.
- Recovery
- Wears off in minutes — you can usually drive home.
- Escort required?
- No
- NPO required?
- Light meal okay
Oral Sedation
- What it is
- A prescribed tablet taken before your appointment.
- Best for
- Moderate anxiety or longer procedures.
- You'll be
- Drowsy but responsive.
- Recovery
- Drowsy for 6–8 hours — bring an escort home.
- Escort required?
- Yes
- NPO required?
- Light meal 4 hours before
IV Sedation
- What it is
- Sedation delivered through a vein and carefully titrated.
- Best for
- High anxiety, long appointments, or surgical procedures.
- You'll be
- Deeply relaxed — most remember little.
- Recovery
- Rest for the day with a responsible adult.
- Escort required?
- Yes
- NPO required?
- Nothing to eat 6–8 hours before
General Anesthesia
- What it is
- Fully asleep, monitored by our sedation-trained team.
- Best for
- Extensive surgery or severe dental phobia.
- You'll be
- Fully asleep — no memory of the procedure.
- Recovery
- Recovery monitored on-site; escort required.
- Escort required?
- Yes — overnight supervision
- NPO required?
- Nothing to eat or drink 8 hours before
By prior booking, per RCDSO authorization.
Equipment
Our sedation suite
Continuous pulse oximetry · Capnography (where authorization requires) · ECG · Blood pressure · AED on-site · Emergency medications · Sedation-trained team. Our sedation suite meets the standards required by RCDSO for the levels of sedation we offer.
We welcome patients with specific needs.
Sedation makes dental care accessible for patients with sensory sensitivities, autism, ADHD, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, severe dental anxiety, or a strong gag reflex. We have experience adapting to each patient. Call ahead and we'll plan the visit around what works for you.
Talk to our team →Sedation for kids
Sedation isn't just for adults. We offer sedation for children when it's clinically appropriate — for example, for an anxious child or a longer procedure.
Learn about sedation for kids →Patient stories
What our patients say
IV sedation
"I cried in the parking lot before going in. By the time I left, I was joking with the team. The IV sedation was incredible — I don't remember any of it."
Anxiety
"I hadn't been to a dentist in 12 years. They listened. They sedated me and got everything done in 2 visits."
Pediatric
"My 8-year-old was terrified. They used nitrous and let her hold her tablet. Game changer."
What to expect on your first sedation visit
Consultation
Discuss your medical history and choose sedation level.
Pre-op instructions
Fasting, medications to skip, escort arrangements.
Day of
Arrive 15 min early, sedation starts in operatory, doctor begins treatment when you're comfortable.
Recovery & home
Recovery in private room, escort drives you home, follow-up call from us the next day.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Still have a question? Our team is happy to help over the phone.
(416) 483-0000Which sedation level is right for me?
It depends on (a) how anxious you are, (b) what procedure you need, and (c) how long the appointment will be. Nitrous oxide works well for mild anxiety and short procedures. Oral sedation suits moderate anxiety. IV sedation is for significant anxiety, long appointments, or surgical procedures. General anesthesia is reserved for very complex cases. We'll help you choose at your consultation. There's no wrong answer.
Is dental sedation safe?
Yes — when delivered by trained staff with proper monitoring, which is the standard of care here. Nitrous oxide has been used safely for over 150 years. Oral sedation uses well-studied medications in carefully measured doses. IV sedation requires continuous monitoring of heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, and oxygen levels throughout, all of which we do. General anesthesia (where authorized) is delivered with hospital-grade monitoring equipment and emergency capability. Our sedation suite meets the standards required by RCDSO for the levels of sedation we offer.
Will I remember the procedure?
It depends on the sedation level. With nitrous, you'll remember everything but feel relaxed. With oral sedation, most patients remember the visit but it feels like 'less of it happened.' With IV sedation, most patients remember little to nothing. With GA, you'll have no memory of the procedure at all.
How long will I be out of action afterward?
Nitrous wears off in about 5 minutes — you can drive yourself home. Oral sedation: 6–8 hours of drowsiness, escort required. IV sedation: similar to oral but more pronounced — escort required, plan to rest the full day. General anesthesia: 24-hour recovery, escort + responsible adult overnight.
Do I need to fast before sedation?
Nitrous oxide: light meal okay. Oral sedation: light meal 4 hours before. IV sedation: nothing to eat for 6–8 hours before, sips of clear water up to 2 hours before. General anesthesia: nothing to eat or drink for 8 hours before. We'll send you specific written instructions when you book.
Can I bring someone with me?
Yes — and for oral, IV, and GA sedation, you must bring a responsible adult who can drive you home and stay with you for the first few hours. They can wait in our reception area during your appointment.
Will my insurance cover sedation?
Many plans cover medically necessary sedation. We'll check your coverage before your visit. CDCP covers some sedation for eligible patients. For uncovered sedation costs, we offer payment plans.
What if I'm anxious about being sedated?
That's normal. Many patients are anxious about losing control. We never sedate against your wishes — sedation is a tool you choose, not something we impose. At your consultation, we'll walk you through exactly what will happen, who will be in the room, what you'll feel, and how you'll come out of it.