General Dentistry
Sedation Dentistry
Dental anxiety is real — and it shouldn't keep you from getting care. We offer oral conscious sedation and IV sedation for teenagers and adults, so even years of avoidance can end in a single, comfortable visit. From a cleaning to wisdom teeth, anything we do can be done with sedation.
Why it matters
Benefits
- Two real options — oral conscious sedation (a pill) or IV sedation (deeper, like sleeping).
- Done in-house — Dr. Hall is certified in IV sedation, no separate anaesthetist needed.
- Available for teenagers and adults.
- Years of avoided dental work can often be caught up in a single sedation visit.
- No judgment — we see dental anxiety every day and know how to handle it.
What to expect
The process
- 01
Consultation
We talk about what's worried you, your medical history, and any medications you're on. This determines which sedation option fits your situation best.
- 02
Choose your level
Local freezing only (no sedation), oral conscious sedation (a pill, drowsy but awake), or IV sedation (asleep-like state, no memory of the procedure). Available for teenagers and adults.
- 03
Pre-appointment prep
For oral or IV sedation: arrange a ride to and from the appointment, follow eating/drinking instructions we'll send you, and take any pre-medication as directed.
- 04
The appointment
You're monitored continuously while we work. Most patients describe the experience as 'I closed my eyes and woke up done'.
- 05
Recovery
You recover at the clinic until we're confident you're stable, then go home with your driver. Most patients feel normal within a few hours.
Why dental anxiety is worth taking seriously
Dental anxiety isn’t just nervousness — for many people, it’s the reason their dental care has been deferred for years. And deferred care almost always becomes more expensive care: a small cavity becomes a root canal, a chipped tooth becomes an extraction.
Sedation breaks that cycle. With the right option, even severe anxiety doesn’t have to stand between you and a healthy mouth.
The sedation options we offer
We offer two levels of sedation in-house — oral conscious sedation and IV sedation — for teenagers and adults. Both are administered by Dr. Hall, so you stay with the dental team you already know.
We do not offer nitrous oxide (laughing gas).
Oral conscious sedation
You take a prescription pill about an hour before your appointment. By the time you arrive, you’re drowsy and very relaxed but still responsive — you can answer questions and follow instructions, but the time passes quickly. You’ll remember hazy fragments at most. Wears off over several hours — you’ll need a ride home.
IV sedation
A medication delivered through a small IV puts you in a deep sleep-like state. You won’t be aware of the procedure and won’t remember it afterward. Recovery is monitored at the clinic until you’re stable, then you go home with a driver. This is the deepest sedation we offer and the right choice for severe anxiety, wisdom teeth removal, or longer procedures combined into a single visit.
What makes our sedation different
Many Calgary clinics offer oral conscious sedation but send IV cases out to a separate oral surgery practice. We don’t. Dr. Brock Hall is certified in IV sedation and provides it in-house, which means:
- You stay with the dental team you already trust.
- Cost is typically lower than going to a separate sedation clinic.
- We can combine multiple procedures into a single sedation visit.
- Scheduling is simpler — one practice, one team, one bill.
If anxiety has been keeping you from getting dental care, book a consultation or call 403-271-2221. No judgment, no pressure — just a conversation about what would make a visit feel possible.
FAQ
Questions we hear most often
- Which sedation level is right for me?
- It depends on your level of anxiety, the procedure you're having, and your medical history. For mild-to-moderate anxiety, oral conscious sedation (a pill taken before your appointment) is usually enough. For wisdom teeth, multiple procedures in one visit, or severe anxiety, IV sedation is usually the answer. We help you pick at your consultation.
- Is IV sedation the same as general anaesthesia?
- No. IV sedation puts you in a deep relaxed state where you're not aware of what's happening, but you're still breathing on your own and can be roused if needed. General anaesthesia requires a separate anaesthetist and a hospital setting — IV sedation is administered safely in our clinic.
- Is sedation safe?
- Yes, when administered by a properly trained provider on a patient who's medically appropriate. We screen carefully, monitor vital signs throughout, and have all emergency protocols in place. Dr. Hall completed certified IV sedation training and maintains it through ongoing education.
- Will I remember the appointment?
- With IV sedation, almost no one remembers the procedure. With oral conscious sedation, you'll be aware but the time tends to pass quickly — patients often describe having only hazy fragments of the visit.
- How much does sedation cost?
- Sedation is priced separately from the dental work. Oral conscious sedation is more affordable; IV sedation is more involved and priced accordingly. We provide a complete written quote at your consultation, and some insurance plans cover sedation for specific procedures.
- Can I drive after sedation?
- No — after either oral conscious sedation or IV sedation, you'll need a ride home and someone to stay with you for a few hours afterward. Plan transportation before your appointment.
- Can I get all my dental work done in one sedation visit?
- Often, yes. This is one of the biggest reasons patients choose sedation — years of avoided dental work can be combined into one comfortable visit instead of spread across many appointments.
Ready to talk it through?
Book a consultation.
We'll listen first, then build a plan around your goals and comfort.