St. Louis · Est. 1991 · Board-Certified Dental Anesthesiology
Dental care for patients who thought it wasn’t possible.
Missouri’s first board-certified dental anesthesiologists — providing sleep dentistry, deep sedation, and comprehensive care for patients with severe anxiety, special needs, and complex treatment needs.
30+
Years serving St. Louis families
4.9 ★
Google rating, hundreds of reviews
Who we help
Not every patient fits a traditional dental office.
We were built for the patients other offices can’t comfortably serve — and we’ve been doing this longer than anyone else in Missouri.
Severe dental anxiety
For patients whose fear has kept them from care for years. We work at your pace, fully sedated.
Special needs patients
Autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s — safe, dignified care for patients of all abilities.
Children who can’t cooperate
Pediatric sedation for children too young, too anxious, or medically unable to tolerate treatment while awake.
Complex treatment needs
Extensive restorative or surgical work completed in a single visit under general anesthesia.
Academic partnerships & clinical training
Where other dentists come to learn.
Our doctors don’t just practice sedation dentistry at the highest level — they teach it. We are a certified clinical training site for two of the country’s most respected dental anesthesia programs.
Graduate Partnership
St. Louis University
Center for Advanced Dental Education
Graduate Program in Periodontics residents complete a one-month hands-on rotation at our office, gaining real sedation training — the only program of its kind at this level in Missouri.
Residency Partnership
University of Pittsburgh
School of Dental Medicine
Dental Anesthesiology Residency Program. Our office is an approved clinical training site, hosting rotating resident dentist anesthesiologists completing their advanced board credentialing.
First board-certified dental anesthesiologists in Missouri
Drs. Hoffmann & Thoms — recognized by the Missouri Dental Board for deep sedation & general anesthesia
Sedation options
The right level of sedation for your situation.
We offer every level of sedation — from mild relaxation to full general anesthesia. Your care plan is individualized based on your needs and medical history.
Level 1
Nitrous oxide
Mild relaxation through a breathing mask. Effects wear off immediately — you drive yourself home.
Level 2
Oral sedation
Pill-based, taken before your appointment. Conscious and responsive, deeply relaxed. Requires a driver.
Level 3
IV sedation
Administered intravenously for deep relaxation. Little to no memory of the procedure afterward.
Level 4 · Our specialty
General anesthesia
Fully asleep. Reserved for patients who need it most — performed by our board-certified dentist anesthesiologists.
Patient experiences
What patients and caregivers say.
Real stories from families who found care they thought wasn’t available to them.
“Anything that they can do to accommodate people with special needs, they do.”
“If it was not for them, I don’t think I would be able to make it through a normal dental appointment.”
“They do anything they can to make you feel comfortable.”
“For over 30 years, we’ve used advanced technology and sleep dentistry to help patients overcome dental fear and health challenges that once stood in the way of care.”
Michael J. Hoffmann, DDS
For some patients…
Going to the dentist is more than uncomfortable — it can feel overwhelming or impossible. Dental anxiety, past experiences, medical conditions, or special needs may make routine dental care difficult to tolerate. Dental Sleep St. Louis provides general dentistry supported by advanced sedation and anesthesia options to help children and adults receive care in a calm, controlled environment. Our approach is designed for patients who may struggle in traditional dental settings, including those with severe anxiety, sensory sensitivities, or complex treatment needs.
By combining comprehensive dental care with sleep dentistry options, our team helps patients receive treatment safely, comfortably, and with thoughtful planning from the first conversation through recovery.
Dental care for patients who need more than a traditional dental visit
Sleep dentistry may help patients who:
- Experience severe dental anxiety or fear
- Have difficulty remaining still for procedures
- Have a strong gag reflex
- Are sensitive to sound, touch, or stimulation
- Have special needs or developmental disabilities
- Need multiple procedures completed efficiently
- Have avoided dental care due to past experiences
What is sleep dentistry?
Sleep dentistry refers to dental care performed while a patient is deeply relaxed or fully asleep using sedation or general anesthesia. This approach may help patients who are unable to tolerate dental treatment while awake due to anxiety, fear, or physical limitations.
Sleep dentistry is commonly used for extensive dental treatment, patients with severe dental anxiety, children who cannot cooperate safely, and patients with special needs. Each treatment plan is individualized, with safety and comfort guiding every step.
A thoughtful approach to dental care in St. Louis
Dental Sleep St. Louis is locally rooted and focused on providing personalized care — not rushed or corporate-style dentistry. Our team takes time to understand patients’ concerns, explain options clearly, and coordinate care in ways that support long-term oral health. By integrating general dentistry with sedation and sleep dentistry options, we help patients move forward with care they may have previously delayed.
What to expect from your visit
While every patient’s experience is different, care often includes:
- A detailed review of dental and medical history
- Discussion of comfort concerns and sedation options
- Clear explanations for patients and caregivers
- Continuous monitoring during treatment
- Recovery guidance and follow-up planning
Questions are encouraged, and caregivers are supported throughout the process.
Learn more about our dental & sleep dentistry services
Questions answered
Frequently asked questions
Tour our office
Ready to talk about your options?
We’ll help you understand whether sedation or sleep dentistry is right for you — no pressure, no rush. Every consultation starts with listening.