Comfortable Dentistry
If fear has kept you from the dentist, you're not alone. We offer sedation options so necessary care doesn't have to be deferred because of anxiety.
Whether your anxiety stems from a past negative experience, fear of needles, sensitivity to sounds, a severe gag reflex, or general feeling of vulnerability—it's real, it's valid, and it's manageable.
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You Are Not Alone
Dental anxiety affects a significant portion of the adult population. For many, the anxiety stems from a single bad experience years ago—perhaps painful treatment, a frightening dentist, or feeling out of control in the dental chair.
Others have never had a traumatic experience but developed anxiety from fear of the unknown, sensitivity to sounds and sensations, or underlying health anxiety. Whatever the source, anxiety is real and deserves compassionate, professional response.
Explore sedation options →Sedation Options
Inhaled through a small nose mask during treatment, this produces a calm, relaxed state that wears off quickly when the mask is removed.
You can drive yourself home after the appointment and return to work or daily activities immediately.
Excellent for patients with mild anxiety who want to maintain alertness and consciousness during their procedure.
Allows you to remain awake and responsive while reducing anxiety and perception of time.
Administered by one of our dental anaesthetists, a dental anesthesiologist with expertise in managing anxious and fearful patients.
IV sedation places you in a deeply relaxed, semi-conscious state—aware enough to respond if asked, but unlikely to remember the experience.
General anesthesia is complete unconsciousness for extensive surgical procedures or patients whose anxiety cannot be managed at lighter levels.
The safest possible care with continuous monitoring of vital signs and anesthesia depth throughout your procedure.
Different sedation options for different anxiety levels and procedures
For Mild to Moderate Anxiety
Many patients with moderate anxiety do well with nitrous oxide. You remain aware, the dentist can communicate with you, and you're fully recovered by the end of the appointment. This is a great starting point.
Schedule your first visitFor Severe Dental Phobia
IV sedation is ideal for patients with significant phobia, complex or lengthy procedures, or a strong gag reflex. You're in a deeply relaxed state throughout—awareness enough to respond if asked, but unlikely to remember the experience.
Learn about IV sedationFor Extensive Surgery
General anesthesia provides complete unconsciousness for extensive surgical procedures like wisdom teeth extraction, bone grafting, or full-mouth implant placement. You're asleep throughout—completely unaware.
Explore surgical optionsWhat you should know about sedation
Yes. Modern anesthetics are safe when administered by trained professionals in a controlled environment. One of our dental anaesthetists is a dental anesthesiologist with extensive training. We monitor vital signs continuously throughout every sedated procedure.
With nitrous oxide, you'll have some memory. With IV sedation, memory is often limited or absent—a benefit many anxious patients appreciate. General anesthesia means complete unconsciousness with no memory.
With IV sedation, you must fast before the appointment (typically no food after midnight, only clear liquids until a few hours before). Nitrous oxide doesn't require fasting. We'll give you specific pre-appointment instructions.
Nitrous oxide wears off immediately. IV sedation requires 24-48 hours of recovery—no driving, no operating machinery, no important decisions. You'll feel normal by the next day.
Some insurance plans cover sedation, others don't. It depends on your specific policy and the procedure. We'll check your coverage and discuss costs before treatment. Financing options are available.
Tell us. We'll discuss what happened, answer your concerns, and potentially recommend a different sedation approach. Our dental anaesthetist has extensive experience managing patients with prior adverse reactions.
Patient Testimonials
"Over the past number of years I have neglected my teeth. It was affecting my smile, or lack of, and my ability to chew. I spoke to my family dentist and he suggested I go to Vitality Dentistry."
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"I went to Vitality Dentistry for my first post-COVID appointment on Friday, July 17th, 2020. Even before the appointment I was contacted by the office to fill out consent forms prior to my arrival."
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"I have been a dental patient at Vitality for years and remained one even after moving to North York eleven years ago."
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We don't expect anxious patients to simply 'push through.' The Vitality team is experienced with anxious patients. The pace is adjusted to your comfort. Procedures are explained before they begin. Sedation is calibrated to your needs.
Many patients who come to Vitality for sedation dentistry have not seen a dentist in years—sometimes decades. The first appointment is often the hardest. After that, the experience is consistently better than expected.
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