Can You Sleep Through Your Dental Appointment?

Afraid of the dentist? Discover how sleep dentistry lets you snooze through your visit with no pain or fear—safe, stress-free care in St. Louis.

Call (314) 862-7844

Schedule Appointment

Is it really possible to sleep through your entire dental visit? The answer is YES — thanks to sleep dentistry, also known as sedation dentistry. If you or your child suffers from severe dental anxiety, a sensitive gag reflex, or special needs, this approach can completely transform your experience at the dentist.

At The Dental Anesthesia Center in St. Louis, we help patients feel safe, comfortable, and unaware of their procedures. Here’s what you need to know about the benefits of sleep dentistry and how it works.

What Is Sleep Dentistry?

Sleep dentistry involves general anesthesia or deep sedation to help patients sleep through dental procedures. This means you’ll be completely unconscious — unaware of sounds, sights, smells, or sensations.

It’s ideal for:

• Severe dental phobia or anxiety
• Special needs patients (developmental, cognitive, or physical)
• Patients requiring multiple or complex procedures
• Children who cannot tolerate traditional dental care

Can You Really Sleep Through Your Appointment?

Yes. Under general anesthesia, you’ll be fully asleep, and a licensed dental anesthesiologist will monitor you throughout the entire procedure. When you wake up, the dental work is done — and you’ll likely have no memory of it.

Benefits of Sleep Dentistry

• Comfort: No pain, no anxiety, and no awareness during the procedure
• Efficiency: Multiple treatments can often be completed in one visit
• Safety: Monitored by highly trained sedation specialists
• Accessibility: Allows patients with special needs or medical conditions to get care

Common Misconceptions About Sleep Dentistry

• “It’s not safe.” → At The Dental Anesthesia Center, board-certified professionals administer general anesthesia in a controlled, licensed medical setting.
• “It’s only for extreme cases.” → We use sleep dentistry for a wide range of patients, from those with mild anxiety to those needing full-mouth restorations.
• “I’ll be groggy for days.” → Most patients recover on the same day with guidance from our clinical team.

Who Provides Sleep Dentistry?

Unlike most general dental offices, our St. Louis practice is licensed to provide general anesthesia in-office. Our team includes board-certified dental anesthesiologists who ensure a smooth, safe, and stress-free experience from start to finish.

Excellent

The Dental Anesthesia Center: Sedation and Sleep Dentistry4.9

Based on 260 reviews

See all reviews

review us on

Ann F.

We brought our 1.5 and 3.5 year old daughters here for cleaning / check ups. Our dental hygienist Laina was amazing...made them feel so comfortable. They had a great time and keep asking when they can go to the dentist again. Dr. Hoffman was great too and made everything super quick and not stressful. Great place for kids in addition to adults!

Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad to hear your little ones had such a positive experience. We’ll be sure to share your compliments with Laina and Dr. Hoffman! 💙

Katherine N.

Every person in the office is so personable. That first off makes you comfortable. But then the methods used to clean my teeth, particularly. I don't feel a thing, and it's the first time in my life that I haven't. And I have a lot of anxiety about dental work, and I really do not feel a thing when my teeth are being cleaned

Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad our team could help make your experience comfortable and relaxing. It means so much to know you felt at ease with your care!

cupcakegirl137 J.

I came here with my 18 year old daughter who has an immense fear of Doctors and Dentist , The kindness and understanding without any judgement we received from Dr.Thom was just unbelievable. The work he did on my daughter was life changing for her . I would recommend him to anyone . Just amazing, kind talented Doctor.

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your heartfelt words! It means a great deal to our team to know that you felt welcomed, understood, and cared for. We’re especially grateful you shared how meaningful your experience was.

anissa F.

We met Dr. Shawn in Sept 2023 and in December, he removed our adult nonverbal son's wisdom teeth. Not gonna hold you, general anesthesia is billed incrementally (by the minute/quarter-hour) and is a heavy financial investment. I love this clinic because it really is a safe space for special needs families. There's a huge calm that accompanies knowing your dependent person is getting healthy. Dr. Shawn is exceptional. We drove 6 hours to get here so we'll choose a local practice for routine sedation cleanings down the road. I hope to see more neurodivergent acceptance built locally in our state's dentistry like this team has here. Meanwhile we are so grateful for this practice and grateful our son was in Dr. Shawn's care.

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for sharing your heartfelt words. We’re honored to be a place where families feel safe, supported, and understood. Your trust in Dr. Thoms and our team truly means so much to us.

Joanie M.

Dr. Thoms and Robin are excellent in their care, concern, and support. Dr. Thoms explains everything and takes his time. If I have questions or concerns, he is easy to talk to and listens well.Robin is right there by my side throughout procedures. Her technical skills and professionalism are impressive. She is terrific!

Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad Dr. Thoms and Robin made you feel heard, supported, and cared for. We’ll be sure to share your wonderful compliments with them—they’ll mean so much!

Why Choose The Dental Anesthesia Center?

• Over 30 years of experience in sedation and sleep dentistry
• Specialized in care for special needs, pediatric, and high-anxiety patients
• One of the only Missouri practices licensed for in-office general anesthesia
• Trusted by families and physicians across St. Louis and beyond