Sedation Dentistry
If dental anxiety has kept you away for years, sedation makes it possible to get the care you need — calmly, comfortably, and on your terms.
Anxiety is real. So are the solutions.
Roughly one in five adults avoids the dentist out of fear, and that fear often grows the longer it's avoided. Sedation dentistry exists for exactly this — to make routine and complex treatment possible for people who simply can't (or won't) sit in the chair without help.
We offer two safe, well-established options: nitrous oxide ('laughing gas') and oral conscious sedation. Both keep you awake and responsive but profoundly relaxed — the time goes by quickly, you stay comfortable, and many patients have little memory of the appointment afterward.
We talk through anxiety openly. There's no judgment, no rushing, and no minimum. Whether you need a cleaning or a full treatment plan, we'll find the level of support that gets you through the door.
Our sedation options
Nitrous oxide ('laughing gas')
Breathed in through a nose mask. Onset is within minutes; effects wear off within 5–10 minutes after we stop. You can drive yourself home.
Oral conscious sedation
A pill taken 30–60 minutes before your visit. Deeper relaxation than nitrous; you stay awake but the visit feels short. You'll need a ride home.
Pre-appointment planning
We review medications, health history, and what to expect. Most patients find that knowing the plan ahead of time is already calming.
Recovery & follow-up
Aftercare is straightforward. We check in the next day to make sure you're comfortable and answer any questions.
The Lac La Biche Smiles difference.
Open, judgment-free conversations about anxiety
Two sedation options to match your comfort level
Trained team with extensive experience supporting nervous patients
Most procedures combined into fewer, calmer visits
Your questions, answered.
Will I be asleep?
No. Both nitrous and oral sedation keep you awake and responsive. You'll be deeply relaxed, but you can still answer questions and follow directions if asked.
Is sedation safe?
Yes, both options have decades of safety data. We review your medical history carefully before recommending an option, and we monitor you throughout.
Can I drive afterward?
After nitrous, yes — it wears off within minutes. After oral sedation, you'll need someone to drive you home and stay with you for a few hours.
Will my insurance cover sedation?
Coverage varies. Many plans cover nitrous oxide. Oral sedation is usually covered when medically justified — we'll confirm before treatment.
Anxious? Let's make a plan.
Call us and tell us as much or as little as you'd like. We'll find a path that works for you — even if it's just sitting in the chair on the first visit.