Dental Anxiety Is Normal. Suffering Through It Isn't.
Roughly one in five people avoids the dentist out of fear — often after a bad experience years ago. The cruel math of avoidance is that small problems grow silently into big ones, which then require exactly the kind of visit an anxious patient dreads most. Sedation dentistry breaks that cycle. With the right option, patients who haven't sat in a dental chair in a decade catch up on years of care in a visit or two — and wonder why they waited.
This is a core service at Dentistry @ Manotick, not an afterthought: Dr. Jaswinder Grewal is certified in Oral Moderate Sedation (Academy of General Dentistry, Toronto), and our entire team is trained to work with anxious patients — starting with never, ever judging how long it's been.
Your Sedation Options
Nitrous Oxide ("Laughing Gas")
A gentle, sweet-smelling gas breathed through a soft nose mask. It reaches the brain within about 20 seconds and settles you into warm relaxation within 2–3 minutes. The depth is adjustable minute to minute, and at the end we flush it with pure oxygen — you're clear-headed within minutes, with no hangover and no need for a ride home. It's also remarkably effective at calming a strong gag reflex. More about nitrous oxide →
Oral Moderate Sedation
A prescribed sedative taken before your visit takes you somewhere deeper: profoundly relaxed, drowsy, and typically remembering little of the appointment. It's the choice for significant anxiety, long restorative visits, or patients who want to be "checked out" without an IV or general anesthesia. You'll need a companion to bring you and take you home. More about oral sedation →
Who Benefits
- Anxious and fearful patients — from mild nerves to full dental phobia
- Patients with a strong gag reflex that makes impressions and x-rays miserable
- Low pain threshold or very sensitive teeth
- Big treatment plans on tight timelines — more accomplished per visit
- Children and patients with special needs who can't comfortably tolerate standard visits (with our pediatric specialist's involvement where appropriate)
A few conditions require caution or rule out specific options — COPD and certain respiratory conditions for nitrous oxide, for example. Your medical history review is where we sort this out safely; our sedation assessment form gets the process started from home.
The First Step Is the Easiest
Book a plain, no-treatment conversation. Sit in the chair (or don't). Tell us what happened at that other office. Try the 5-minute nitrous trial if you're curious. Then decide. Thousands of anxious patients have started exactly this way — call (613) 491-3300 or book online.
Sedation Dentistry — Frequently Asked Questions
Which sedation option is right for me?
Nitrous oxide suits mild-to-moderate anxiety and short visits — you're relaxed but fully alert, and you can drive yourself home. Oral moderate sedation suits stronger anxiety, longer visits or a powerful gag reflex — you'll be deeply relaxed, remember little, and need an escort home. We'll match the option to your anxiety level, health and treatment plan.
Is sedation dentistry safe?
Yes, with proper training and monitoring. Dr. Grewal holds an Oral Moderate Sedation certificate from the Academy of General Dentistry, we review your full medical history and medications beforehand, and you're monitored throughout treatment. Certain conditions (like COPD for nitrous) rule out specific options — that's exactly what our screening catches.
Will I be unconscious?
No — both our options are conscious sedation. You remain awake and able to respond, just deeply relaxed. Many oral sedation patients remember almost nothing afterwards, which for most anxious patients is precisely the goal.
Can I try sedation before committing to treatment?
Yes — we offer a short nitrous oxide trial (about 5 minutes) so you can experience the sensation before any treatment is planned. It's the easiest way to discover how manageable dental visits can become.