Sedation Dentistry in Burlington, ON
Experience Stress-Free Dental Care
How Inhaled Sedation Works
This mild, safe sedation option helps you stay relaxed while remaining fully conscious and responsive. You breathe a gentle mixture of gases through a small mask that fits over your nose. Within minutes, you'll feel calm and at ease, though you'll remain aware of what's happening around you.
Why Patients Choose It
Inhaled sedation offers fast-acting relief from anxiety within 2-3 minutes, allowing you to remain conscious and communicate with us throughout treatment. The effects wear off quickly after the mask is removed with no lingering drowsiness—you can drive yourself home immediately after your appointment. We can adjust the sedation levels to customise your comfort, and it's safe for both adults and children.
Who It Helps Most
This option works best for patients with mild to moderate dental anxiety, children who feel nervous about dental visits, and shorter procedures like fillings, cleanings, or crowns. It's also ideal for patients with a sensitive gag reflex and anyone who wants to feel relaxed but remain aware during treatment.
Who Benefits from Dental Sedation
Patients with Dental Anxiety
If the thought of visiting the dentist makes you nervous, sedation can help you feel calm and relaxed. Many patients with dental anxiety avoid care for years, leading to more serious problems. Sedation breaks this cycle by making visits comfortable and stress-free.
Patients with Sensitive Gag Reflex
A strong gag reflex can make dental work difficult and uncomfortable. Sedation helps relax your throat muscles and reduce the gag reflex, allowing us to complete your treatment more comfortably.
Patients Needing Complex or Lengthy Procedures
If you need extensive dental work, sedation allows us to complete multiple treatments in fewer visits. This saves you time, reduces the number of appointments, and minimizes the stress of repeated visits.
Children and Teens
Young patients who feel nervous about dental visits often respond well to gentle sedation options. Inhaled sedation helps children relax while remaining conscious, making it easier for us to provide thorough care and creating positive associations with dental visits.
Older Patients
Anxious or older patients tend to benefit greatly from sedation options. We use sedation routinely to make the time in our chair more comfortable, especially for patients who may have had negative dental experiences in the past.
Patients with Special Needs
We offer customised sedation options for patients with physical, cognitive, or sensory sensitivities to ensure comfortable, stress-free care that meets their unique needs.
When Sedation Is Used
Routine Cleanings and Checkups
Even routine visits can cause anxiety for some patients. Light sedation helps you feel relaxed during cleanings and exams.
Fillings and Crowns
Restorative procedures are more comfortable when you're relaxed. Sedation combined with local anaesthesia ensures a pain-free experience.
Root Canal Treatment
Root canals have an unfair reputation, but with proper sedation and anaesthesia, they're no more uncomfortable than getting a filling.
Dental Implant Placement
Implant surgery is more comfortable with sedation options. We can complete your procedure while you remain calm and relaxed.
Extractions and Oral Surgery
Whether removing wisdom teeth or extracting damaged teeth, sedation helps you stay comfortable throughout the procedure.
Multiple Procedures in One Visit
If you need several treatments, sedation allows us to work efficiently while you remain relaxed, reducing the total number of appointments needed.
Meet Our Dentists
What to Expect with Sedation
Before Your Appointment
We'll review your medical history, current medications, and any health conditions during your consultation. We'll explain your sedation options, answer your questions, and provide specific pre-appointment instructions. For inhaled sedation, there are typically no special preparation requirements.
During Your Appointment
For inhaled sedation, we'll place a small, comfortable mask over your nose. You'll breathe normally, and within minutes, you'll feel calm and relaxed. You'll remain conscious and responsive throughout your treatment, able to hear us and follow simple instructions. We monitor your comfort level continuously and can adjust the sedation as needed.
After Your Appointment
Inhaled sedation wears off within minutes after we remove the mask. You'll feel alert and clear-headed, with no lingering drowsiness. You can drive yourself home and resume normal activities immediately. If you received local anaesthesia, the numbness in the treated area will wear off gradually over a few hours.
How We Make Dentistry Better in Burlington
Relax & Recharge
Netflix, music, wireless headphones, blankets, flat screen TVs, gentle inhaled sedation, and a beverage bar for your comfort.
Advanced Care
Our dentists were trained at Boston University during dentistry's digital revolution. Advanced scanning technology and digital smile design provide precision treatment.
We Work With Your Plan
Greenshield, Manulife, Sunlife, and CDCP are accepted. Financing options and flexible payment plans are available for all families.
Care That Grows With You
Complete family care for everyone from children to grandparents. We take a specialized approach for older patients coordinated with your physician.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will sedation make me unconscious?
No, the sedation options we offer keep you conscious and responsive throughout treatment. Inhaled sedation makes you feel deeply relaxed and calm, but you'll remain aware of your surroundings and able to communicate with us. Local anaesthesia simply numbs the treatment area without affecting your consciousness.
Can children receive sedation?
Yes, inhaled sedation is safe and effective for children. It helps young patients feel relaxed during dental visits while remaining conscious and responsive. This creates positive associations with dental care that last into adulthood. We adjust sedation levels carefully based on your child's age, weight, and comfort needs
How soon can I return to normal activities?
With inhaled sedation, you can resume normal activities immediately after your appointment—including driving, working, and exercising. If you received local anaesthesia, you should avoid eating or drinking until the numbness wears off (typically 2-4 hours) to prevent accidentally biting your cheek or tongue. We'll provide specific post-treatment guidelines for your situation.
What types of procedures can be done under sedation?
We offer sedation for a wide range of treatments, from routine cleanings and fillings to complex procedures like dental implants, extractions, root canals, and full mouth rehabilitation. Your comfort is our priority for any dental service you need, regardless of complexity.
Who is a good candidate for sedation?
Most healthy adults and children qualify for some form of dental sedation. Anxious patients, those with sensitive gag reflexes, people needing complex procedures, and patients with special needs all benefit from sedation. During your consultation, we'll review your medical history, discuss your concerns, and recommend the most appropriate sedation option for your needs.
How should I prepare for sedation?
Preparation requirements vary by sedation type. For inhaled sedation, there are typically no special requirements—you can eat and drink normally before your appointment. For local anaesthesia, no special preparation is needed. We'll provide detailed pre-appointment instructions during your consultation if any preparation is necessary.
Is sedation covered by insurance?
Coverage varies by insurance provider and plan. Many Ontario dental plans cover sedation when it's medically necessary or for certain procedures. We accept Greenshield, Manulife, Sun Life, CDCP, and many other providers. Our team will verify your coverage and help you maximise your benefits. We also offer flexible financing options.
What are the side effects?
Most patients experience minimal side effects. With inhaled sedation, you may feel slightly light-headed or tingly for a brief moment, but this passes quickly. Local anaesthesia causes temporary numbness in the treated area, which wears off over several hours. We'll review potential effects based on your specific sedation plan.
Can I drive myself home?
Yes, you can drive after inhaled sedation because the effects wear off quickly and completely. There's no lingering drowsiness or impairment. However, we recommend having someone accompany you if you're feeling particularly anxious about your appointment.
Will I remember my procedure?
With inhaled sedation, you'll remain conscious and aware throughout treatment, though feeling deeply relaxed. You'll typically remember the experience. Local anaesthesia doesn't affect memory or consciousness—it simply numbs the treatment area so you don't feel pain.
How long does sedation last?
The duration varies by type. Inhaled sedation effects dissipate within minutes after treatment ends—you'll feel alert and clear-headed almost immediately. Local anaesthesia typically lasts several hours, with numbness gradually wearing off. We'll provide specific timing information based on your selected sedation method.
Is dental sedation safe?
Yes, dental sedation is very safe when administered by experienced, trained dentists like Dr. Whig and Dr. Chopra. We carefully review your medical history, monitor your vital signs throughout treatment, and follow strict safety protocols set by the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario to ensure your safety and comfort.
Do You Take My Insurance?
