Comfort, three levels deep.
Some kids glide through dental visits. Some need a little help. Some need a lot. We offer three levels of sedation so the procedure matches the child, not the other way around.
Why families choose this service
Nitrous oxide
The most widely used pediatric sedation. Child stays awake and breathes a mix through a small mask; effect wears off within minutes.
Oral sedation
A medication taken 10 to 15 minutes before the visit. Slightly stronger than nitrous; sometimes paired with it.
In-office sleep dentistry
Full sedation supervised by a medical anesthesiologist on staff. For complex procedures or significant dental anxiety.
About this service
Pediatric sedation is not about getting through a procedure as fast as possible. It is about matching the level of comfort to what the visit actually calls for, and never doing more sedation than is needed.
Most cleanings and small fillings happen with no sedation at all. Nitrous oxide handles most of the rest. Oral sedation comes into play for slightly anxious kids or longer procedures. In-office sleep dentistry is reserved for substantial work, or for children who would otherwise need to go to a hospital for the same procedures.
Dr. Grant Lu is the medical anesthesiologist on staff for the sleep-dentistry track. Having anesthesiology in the building means we can complete procedures in one visit that would otherwise be split into many, and we can keep that under the supervision of a medical specialist rather than a dental practitioner managing sedation as a secondary practice.
What we offer
- Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) for cleanings, sealants, and most fillings.
- Oral sedation for longer or moderately anxious visits, often combined with nitrous oxide.
- In-office sleep dentistry supervised by an FRCPC medical anesthesiologist for complex or full-mouth work.
- Pre-visit consultation to walk parents through which level of sedation fits their child.
- Pre-visit and recovery instructions tailored to the sedation level chosen.
Common questions
Is dental sedation safe for kids?+
Yes, when delivered by a trained team. Nitrous oxide and oral sedation have decades of pediatric safety data. Sleep dentistry is supervised by a medical anesthesiologist (Dr. Lu) for the highest standard of safety, the same staffing model used in a hospital operating room.
How long does the sedation last?+
Nitrous oxide effects clear within minutes of the mask coming off. Oral sedation lingers longer; we recommend a quiet rest of the day. Sleep dentistry requires more recovery time and we provide specific instructions before the visit.
Will my child remember the procedure?+
With nitrous oxide, yes; the child is awake throughout. With oral sedation, memory of the visit is often fuzzy. With sleep dentistry, the child has no memory of the procedure itself, only the going-to-sleep and waking-up.
How do I prepare my child for the visit?+
Sedation levels above nitrous require fasting before the appointment, no eating or drinking for a defined window. The front desk will walk you through the specific instructions when the appointment is booked.
If you are unsure which level of sedation is right for your child, book a consultation and we will walk through the options. There is no one-size answer.