Sedation Dentistry in Calgary NE
Dental anxiety shouldn't keep you from the care you need. We offer sedation options, provided in accordance with College of Dental Surgeons of Alberta requirements, to help you feel calm and at ease during your appointment — so you can get the treatment you need with less stress and fear.
What Is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry uses medication to help patients relax during dental procedures. It's sometimes referred to as "sleep dentistry," although you typically remain conscious — just deeply relaxed and often with little memory of the procedure afterward.
Research suggests dental anxiety affects a large share of Canadians — and for some, the fear is strong enough to delay or avoid care altogether. If this sounds like you, sedation dentistry can be the breakthrough that allows you to finally get the care you need — more comfortably and with less fear.
At The Port Dental Clinic, we take dental anxiety seriously. Our team is trained in multiple sedation techniques, and we follow College of Dental Surgeons of Alberta guidelines to support your safety throughout the process.
Choose the Right Level of Relaxation
We offer several sedation levels to match your anxiety and the procedure being performed:
Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)
Mild sedation. A gas inhaled through a comfortable nose mask. You'll feel relaxed, calm, and slightly euphoric while remaining fully conscious. Effects wear off within minutes — you can drive yourself home and return to normal activities immediately.
Oral Sedation
Moderate sedation. A prescribed sedative pill taken about an hour before your appointment. You'll feel deeply relaxed and drowsy, may drift in and out of light sleep, and will likely have little to no memory of the procedure. You'll need someone to drive you home.
Local Anaesthesia
Pain control. Standard numbing for the treatment area, used with all procedures. We apply topical numbing gel first and use modern injection techniques so the injection itself is barely felt. Can be combined with any sedation option above.
Who Benefits from Sedation Dentistry?
Dental anxiety or phobia — whether it's a mild nervousness or a deep-seated fear that has kept you from seeing a dentist for years.
Sensitive gag reflex — sedation relaxes your gag reflex, making procedures far more comfortable for you and more efficient for your dentist.
Long or complex procedures — implants, wisdom teeth removal, or multiple fillings in one visit are more comfortable with sedation.
Difficulty getting numb — some patients require extra help achieving full numbness. Sedation works alongside anaesthesia for added comfort.
Special needs patients — patients with physical or cognitive challenges may benefit from sedation to ensure a safe, comfortable experience.
Previous traumatic dental experiences — a bad past experience shouldn't define your future care. Sedation helps you build new, positive associations with the dentist.
Sedation Dentistry Questions Answered
What Our Patients Say
“I had an amazing experience at the Port Dental with Doctor Balbir Sandhu in the procedure of my wisdom tooth extraction. I was very nervous and worried before the surgery but the doctor made me feel comfortable, did all the process very smoothly and with no pain.”
“I was really anxious about having my wisdom tooth removed, but from the moment I arrived at Dr. Sandhu's clinic, I felt completely at ease. The team was welcoming, kind, and very attentive, answering all my questions and making sure I was comfortable throughout. … he explained the procedure clearly and performed it efficiently, with zero pain.”
“I visited Dr. Balbir Sandhu for my first-ever teeth cleaning and cavity fillings, and I was honestly very nervous. But the experience turned out amazing! The doctor was calm, gentle, and made sure I was comfortable throughout the whole process. The cleaning was thorough, and the fillings were done so smoothly — I didn't feel any pain or discomfort.”
Don't Let Fear Hold You Back
Book a consultation at The Port Dental Clinic. We'll work with you to find a sedation approach designed to make your dental visit calm, comfortable, and relaxed.