Anxiety-Free Dental Care With Sedation Dentistry

If you experience dental anxiety, you’re not alone. Nearly 40% of adults experience dental anxiety of some sort (Canadian Dental Association). Sedation dentistry uses safe, prescribed medication to help you relax deeply during treatment, so you can finally get the care you need without the stress.

Gallery Dental offers multiple sedation levels, from gentle nitrous oxide to deeper oral conscious sedation. Dr. Sekhon specializes in oral conscious sedation, which is a gentle, effective, non-invasive alternative to IV.

Sedation Options


Oral Conscious Sedation

Oral conscious sedation involves taking a prescribed sedative pill before your appointment. By the time treatment begins, you’ll feel deeply relaxed and drowsy, but conscious and responsive. Many patients describe it as a dreamlike state.

Dr. Sekhon prefers this method because it delivers powerful anxiety relief with no IV needle required. A responsible adult will need to drive you home, with effects typically wearing off by evening.


Nitrous Oxide Sedation

Nitrous Oxide (often called “laughing gas”) is inhaled through a comfortable nose mask, producing relaxation within minutes. You stay fully conscious and can communicate throughout your procedure. This is ideal for mild anxiety or shorter procedures.

Nitrous Oxide leaves your system in about 5 minutes, so you can drive yourself home or get your procedure done during your lunch hour and return to work after.


IV Sedation

IV sedation is the deepest level of conscious sedation offered outside of a hospital setting. While some dental practices offer IV sedation in-house, Dr. Sekhon refers patients looking for this intensity level to fully accredited dental surgical facilities.

Most patients who are anxious about dental work will find that oral conscious sedation provides complete anxiety relief without the invasiveness of an IV approach.


Sedation for Children

Sedation is safe and effective for children when administered by an experienced provider. We offer pediatric dental care with child sedation options: nitrous oxide for mild anxiety, oral sedation for more extensive work.

Parents are welcome to stay present throughout the appointment. Ceiling-mounted TVs, noise-cancelling headphones, and our gentle team help kids feel at ease in our clinic.

Monitored, Evidence-Based Sedation Protocols

Throughout every sedation procedure, Dr. Sekhon and our team continuously track your oxygen saturation, blood pressure, and heart rate using advanced digital monitoring equipment. Sedation levels are adjusted in real time for optimal comfort and safety. Our protocols follow Alberta Dental Association and College of Dental Surgeons of Alberta guidelines.

Dr. Sekhon’s Training and Experience

Dr. Sekhon completes up to 300 hours of continuing education annually, including dedicated sedation training. With over a decade of experience sedating patients from anxious adults to young children, his safety record speaks for itself. When dentistry really matters, trust matters too.

Is Sedation Dentistry Right For You?

At Gallery Dental, you don’t need to justify needing sedation dentistry. Dental anxiety is real, valid, and more common than people realize!

You can consider sedation dentistry in a number of scenarios, such as:

  • Severe dental anxiety or phobia preventing regular care
  • Past traumatic dental experiences
  • A strong gag reflex making treatment difficult
  • Complex procedures like wisdom teeth removal or dental implant surgery 
  • Multiple treatments that can be completed in one visit
  • Difficulty sitting still for extended periods
  • Children with dental fear or extensive treatment needs

Multiple Procedures in One Visit

Sedation allows Dr. Sekhon to complete crowns, fillings, extractions, and restorations in a single appointment. Patients who need major restorative dental work find sedation makes even ambitious smile transformations stress-free. Fewer visits, faster results!

Common Questions About Sedation Dentistry

How much does sedation dentistry cost?

Sedation dentistry costs vary based on the type (nitrous oxide, oral, or IV) and procedure length, typically ranging from $100–$500+ per appointment. Nitrous oxide is generally the most affordable option, while IV sedation can be the costliest option. Many insurance plans cover sedation when medically necessary. 

Gallery Dental offers flexible financing plans that make sedation dentistry affordable for everyone. Our team can also verify your coverage before your appointment, allowing you to prioritize your oral health without financial stress.

Is sedation dentistry safe? 

Yes, sedation dentistry is exceptionally safe when administered by trained dentists like Dr. Sekhon using proper monitoring equipment. We continuously monitor your vital signs (oxygen levels, heart rate, blood pressure) throughout your procedure. Serious complications are extremely rare, and sedation has been used safely for decades.

How long does dental sedation last?

Duration depends on the type: nitrous oxide wears off within 5 minutes, while oral conscious sedation lasts 4–6 hours. You will feel drowsy and relaxed but gradually return to normal as the medication metabolizes. We recommend resting at home and avoiding driving or making important decisions for 24 hours.

What should I do to prepare for sedation dentistry?

For oral conscious sedation, avoid eating or drinking for 6 hours before your appointment. Arrange transportation with a responsible adult who can drive you to and from Gallery Dental and stay with you afterward. Wear comfortable clothing and take regular medications only as directed during your consultation.

Comprehensive Dental Care with Sedation

Gallery Dental provides comprehensive dental services in Edmonton, many of which benefit from sedation options for patient comfort. We offer restorative treatments like dental implants placement completed comfortably under sedation, anxiety-free root canal therapy , and wisdom teeth extraction for anxious kids and teens.

Dental Implants

Root Canal Therapy

Wisdom Teeth Removal