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.
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.
I have been going here for 30 years and the extra care they take is outstanding.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and longtime support! We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback and are grateful for the trust placed in our team over the years.
It was thorough professional and informative. I was satisfied with consultation and look forward to having my dental needs addressed
Response from the owner:Thank you for your 5-star review! We appreciate your kind words and are grateful you took the time to share your feedback. Thank you for your support!
Everything went great today for her surgery but I do have some feedback about other things. My daughter was scheduled to be put to sleep to undergo a root canal. They ended up needing more anthesia which I was willing to pay for. Surgery was supposed to be an hour (I was told this before they started), and it ended up being 2 hours because of some minor complications. Noone came to the lobby to inform us. When it was over, I asked to see her. They said I had to pay first. I just paid almost 5k and they were more worried about an additional $300 before allowing me to see my daughter? This didn't sit right. I didn't say anything. I paid the bill and went to see my daughter. Dr. Hoffman is the nicest man I have ever met! He was outstanding.
Also, in the weeks before her surgery, the office appeared to not communicate. I would receive a call saying one thing then someone else would say another. They were never on the same page.
Last week, they needed to speak with me to confirm a few things. They called me at 8:16am then again at 1:06pm. Leaving me a voicemail that if they do not hear from me they were going to cancel her surgery. Wow! I work. I work 8am-5pm. I do not have access to my phone during those hours. They did leave a voicemail and I would have called the next day but they did not give me a chance before sending me an email threatening to cancel.
Also, they had called me several weeks before to inform me I had no insurance. I called my insurance company and they said I did. Not sure what happened but it resulted in unnecessary phone calls during my only free 20 minutes at work.
If your appointment is at 10am, do not plan on seeing anyone for awhile. All our appointments ran an hour behind.
I think Dr. Hoffman is wonderful but the office staff needs some help.
Not friendly at all. Noone even smiled!
The nurses in the room with my daughter were great too.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your feedback and kind words about Dr. Hoffmann and our clinical team. We appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. Your feedback is valuable to us as we continually strive to provide the best possible care and experience for every family.
I went to nervous and 3 to 4 hours later, I essentially woke up in the car on my way home without realizing anything had happened. If you have trauma with previous dental issues, this is the place. I have a had severe dental trauma my entire life. Until now, they are all fantastic.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and for sharing your experience. We’re grateful our team could help provide a comfortable experience and appreciate your trust in us.
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
Want to Sleep Through Your Dental Visit?
If you’re looking for a better way to receive dental care that removes fear, discomfort, and stress, sleep dentistry might be right for you.
