Sedation Dentistry in Aurora, ON
Comfortable, anxiety-free dental care — whatever it takes to help you get the treatment you need.
Dental anxiety is one of the most common reasons people avoid the dentist — and one of the most understandable. Whether it's a fear of needles, a past experience that didn't go well, a sensitive gag reflex, or simply the sounds and sensations of being in the chair, those feelings are valid. At Aurora Borealis Dentistry in Aurora, Ontario, we take dental anxiety seriously and offer a full range of sedation options to ensure every patient can receive the care they need comfortably and without fear.
From nitrous oxide for mild nerves to intravenous sedation for complex procedures or severe anxiety, Dr. Waji Khan will work with you to find the right approach for your situation.
New patients welcome: If dental anxiety has been keeping you away from the dentist, we'd like to help. Call us at 905-538-8808 or book online — let us know about your concerns when you reach out and we'll make sure your first visit is designed around your comfort.
Sedation Options at Aurora Borealis Dentistry
We offer three levels of sedation to match the needs of different patients and procedures. During your consultation, Dr. Khan will review your medical history, discuss your anxiety level, and recommend the most appropriate option for you.
Nitrous Oxide
Laughing gas — inhaled through a small nose mask
- Works within minutes
- Easily adjusted during treatment
- Wears off in 3–5 minutes
- You can drive yourself home
- Safe for most patients
Oral Sedation
A prescribed pill taken before your appointment
- Deeper relaxation than nitrous
- You remain conscious and responsive
- Most patients remember little or nothing
- Escort required to and from appointment
- Ideal for longer procedures
IV Sedation
Administered intravenously for deeper relaxation
- Deepest level of conscious sedation
- Rapid onset, precisely controlled
- Profound amnesia effect — most recall nothing
- Escort required for the day
- Booking deposit required
Please note that not all forms of sedation are covered by insurance plans. Our team will clarify costs and coverage during your consultation before you commit to any treatment.
Why Choose Dr. Khan for Sedation Dentistry
Dr. Waji Khan
Dr. Khan's background as a Canadian Forces dental officer required managing complex dental procedures in high-pressure environments — an experience that directly translates to calm, controlled, patient-focused sedation care. He is trained in all three levels of sedation and takes a conservative, individualized approach: starting with the least invasive option appropriate for your needs and escalating only when necessary. His priority is always your safety, comfort, and long-term confidence in the dental chair.
Nitrous Oxide — What to Expect
Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is the most commonly used form of dental sedation, and for good reason — it's safe, fast-acting, easily controlled, and wears off quickly enough that you can drive yourself home afterward.
How it works
A small, comfortable mask is placed over your nose. You breathe normally and within a few minutes begin to feel a warm, relaxed, mildly euphoric sensation — often described as a light, floating feeling. You remain fully conscious and able to communicate with Dr. Khan throughout the procedure. When treatment is complete, the gas is turned off and pure oxygen is delivered for a few minutes. The effects clear completely within 3 to 5 minutes.
Who it's right for
- Mild to moderate dental anxiety
- Fear of dental sounds or sensations
- Sensitive gag reflex
- Patients who need to drive themselves to and from the appointment
- Longer routine procedures where comfort is a priority
Important considerations
Nitrous oxide cannot be used if you are unable to breathe through your nose, are in your first trimester of pregnancy, or have certain respiratory conditions. Dr. Khan will review your medical history before recommending it. If you have had an unpleasant experience with laughing gas in the past, it is very likely due to the concentration being too high — with proper titration, the experience is gentle and well-tolerated by the vast majority of patients.
Oral Sedation — What to Expect
Oral conscious sedation involves taking a prescribed anti-anxiety medication (typically a benzodiazepine such as Ativan or Halcion) approximately one hour before your appointment. By the time you arrive, you will feel significantly more relaxed — calm enough to comfortably undergo treatment that might otherwise feel overwhelming.
How it works
You remain conscious and able to respond to Dr. Khan throughout the procedure, but most patients experience a profound sense of relaxation and have little or no memory of the appointment afterward. Because the medication continues to have an effect after the appointment, you will need a responsible adult to drive you to and from the practice and stay with you for several hours while the effects fully wear off.
Who it's right for
- Moderate to significant dental anxiety
- Fear of needles — local anaesthetic is administered after the sedation takes effect
- Patients undergoing longer or more complex procedures
- Patients who have not responded adequately to nitrous oxide
- Those who simply want to remember as little as possible about the experience
IV Sedation — What to Expect
Intravenous (IV) conscious sedation delivers anti-anxiety medication directly into the bloodstream, producing a deeper and more reliable level of sedation than either nitrous oxide or oral medication. It is the closest experience to "sleep dentistry" while still technically remaining conscious.
How it works
A thin catheter is placed in a vein in your hand or arm. Medication is administered through this line, and within moments you will feel deeply relaxed. Most patients have very little or no recollection of the procedure. Your pulse and oxygen levels are monitored throughout. Local anaesthetic is still used to ensure the treatment area is numb — the IV sedation manages your anxiety and awareness, not pain directly.
Who it's right for
- Severe dental anxiety or dental phobia
- Complex or lengthy procedures such as implant placement or oral surgery
- Patients with a severe gag reflex
- Patients who have not responded adequately to other sedation options
Contraindications
IV sedation is not suitable during pregnancy, with known allergy to benzodiazepines, or with certain conditions including alcohol intoxication, CNS depression, and some forms of glaucoma. Patients with sleep apnea, advanced age, or impaired organ function should discuss this with Dr. Khan beforehand. A booking deposit is required for IV sedation appointments.
After Your Sedation Appointment
The aftercare requirements vary depending on the type of sedation used. For nitrous oxide, no special aftercare is needed. For oral sedation and IV sedation, please follow these guidelines:
Who Is a Good Candidate for Sedation Dentistry?
You may benefit from sedation dentistry if you:
- Experience anxiety or fear at the thought of dental appointments
- Have had a traumatic dental experience in the past
- Have a strong gag reflex that makes treatment difficult
- Fear needles or injections
- Have difficulty sitting still for extended periods
- Need a complex or lengthy procedure and want to minimize discomfort
- Have avoided dental care for a long time and need to catch up on treatment
- Have highly sensitive teeth
You don't need to explain or justify your anxiety to us.
Dental anxiety affects a significant portion of the population. It is not a weakness — it is a very common and understandable response. Our role is simply to make sure it doesn't stand between you and the oral health care you deserve. Whether you need a little help relaxing or want to remember nothing about your appointment, we have an option for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I be completely asleep during sedation dentistry?
Not with conscious sedation — which is what nitrous oxide, oral sedation, and IV sedation all are. You remain conscious and able to respond to Dr. Khan throughout. However, with oral and IV sedation most patients have little or no memory of the procedure, which for many people is the next best thing to being asleep.
Do I still need local anaesthetic with sedation?
Yes. Sedation manages anxiety and awareness — it does not block pain the way local anaesthetic does. Dr. Khan will still numb the treatment area before beginning. If you have a fear of injections, the local anaesthetic is administered after the sedation takes effect so you are already relaxed before the needle.
Can I drive myself home after sedation?
Only after nitrous oxide — because the effects clear completely within minutes of the mask being removed. After oral sedation or IV sedation you must have a responsible adult drive you home and stay with you for the remainder of the day. You cannot drive, take transit alone, or use rideshare services unaccompanied.
Is sedation dentistry safe?
Yes — all three forms of sedation we offer have strong safety records when administered by a trained dentist. Dr. Khan monitors your vitals throughout any sedation procedure. Contraindications are reviewed carefully during your consultation to ensure the right option is selected for your health profile.
How much does sedation dentistry cost in Aurora?
Costs vary depending on the type of sedation and the length of the procedure. Nitrous oxide is the most affordable option. Oral sedation and IV sedation involve additional fees. Not all sedation types are covered by insurance plans — our team will confirm your coverage and out-of-pocket costs before your appointment.
Can I request sedation for a routine cleaning?
Yes. Sedation is not reserved for complex procedures — if dental anxiety makes even a routine cleaning difficult, nitrous oxide or oral sedation can make the experience manageable. Let us know when booking and we will make the appropriate arrangements.
I had a bad experience with laughing gas before — should I try it again?
Bad experiences with nitrous oxide are almost always the result of the concentration being too high. With proper titration — gradually increasing the dose until you reach a comfortable level — the experience is gentle and well-tolerated for the vast majority of patients. Dr. Khan can discuss this with you before your appointment.
Is sedation available for children?
Nitrous oxide is commonly used in paediatric dentistry and is safe for children. Oral and IV sedation for paediatric patients requires special consideration — Dr. Khan will advise on the most appropriate approach based on your child's age, health, and anxiety level.
Book a Sedation Dentistry Consultation in Aurora
If dental anxiety has been keeping you from getting the care you need, we would genuinely like to help. Book a consultation at Aurora Borealis Dentistry and speak with Dr. Khan about your concerns — there is no pressure, no judgment, and no commitment required at that first appointment.
We're located at 107–14785 Yonge Street, Aurora, ON, open Monday to Saturday, 8AM to 9PM.