Need extensive dental work? Learn how complex dental treatment can often be completed comfortably in fewer appointments using sedation.
For many patients, the idea of needing “a lot of dental work” feels overwhelming. It’s not just the treatment itself—it’s everything that comes with it.
If you’ve been told you need extensive dental care, you may be wondering: “Is there any way to make this easier?”
Best Dentists in St. Louis. Really a great dental experience. I have used this office for regular dental care, cavities, crowns, and cosmetic dentistry. Teeth look great.
Response from the owner:Christopher we apologize for the belated response. We are very pleased to hear you have a great dental experience with our office! Thank you for your kind words. We look forward to seeing you at your next dental appointment!
Dr. Behl!
I cannot recommend Dr. Maris Behl enough. If you have dental anxiety, she is truly the kind of dentist you hope to find. If teeth could be wrapped in pillows and protected by flying unicorns, Dr. Behl would somehow make it happen.
I have significant anxiety around dental procedures and have needed deeper sedation for dental work in the past. From the beginning, Dr. Behl took the time to listen to my concerns and made me feel genuinely heard rather than dismissed or rushed. She created such a sense of trust and safety that I was eventually able to have my dental work done with only nitrous instead of full sedation, which is something I honestly didn’t think I would be comfortable doing.
During my crown placement, she explained what she was doing throughout the procedure, which made an enormous difference in keeping me calm. She also took the time to address a filling that had been bothering me for what felt like forever — and she actually fixed the problem.
What stands out most about Dr. Behl is how safe I feel in her care. She is compassionate, patient, communicative, and incredibly attentive to how her patients are feeling. For someone with dental anxiety, that combination is invaluable.
Finding a dentist I trust this much has completely changed my experience with dental care. I am incredibly grateful to Dr. Behl and would recommend her without hesitation, especially to anyone who has dental anxiety or has struggled to feel comfortable receiving dental treatment.
Response from the owner:Thank you for such incredibly kind words! We’ll be sure to pass this along to Dr. Behl. We’re pretty sure the flying unicorns are going to be the part she remembers most! 🦄💙 We’re so glad our team could help make your experience a more comfortable one.
Dr Thoms and his team are phenomenal. No question, the absolute best possible option for my child when he needed work done while sleeping (age based). While this option is not inexpensive, this set up of have anesthesiology in-house allowed us to get his mouth healthy when a traditional pediatric dentist could/would not. I am a parent that asks a lot of questions on behalf of my toddler’s care and at no point did I feel judged for this, nor was I rushed during my evaluation process during the consultation. Although the procedure is not one I would like to repeat for my child, my husband and I were both so pleased with how well Dr. Thoms communicated and how he clearly cared for our son’s wellbeing (both physical and emotional during a less than comfortable visit). Cannot recommend the back of house team more highly.
My one detraction is the FOH staff (not everyone) were not nearly as pleasant. I would like to communicate that while their day-to-day is very routine for them, being in that office as a parent is very scary for some people in their office and a little bit of kindness goes along way. I do recall, having a very pleasant conversation with Rebecca, but otherwise everyone else was on the apathetic side, in my personal opinion. That said you’ll notice that I still am leaving a five star review because the dental staff really just knocked out of the park, but as a parent I want to encourage you to look past any rudeness you may experience over email or on the phone because Dr. Thom’s is really that excellent.
Response from the owner:Thank you for taking the time to share such thoughtful feedback. We’re grateful to hear that our team provided compassionate, attentive care and took the time to answer your questions throughout the process. We also appreciate your comments regarding your experience with our front office team and will certainly share your feedback. Your kind words mean so much to us!
Why Traditional Dental Treatment Gets Spread Out
In a typical dental setting, treatment is often divided into multiple visits. This isn’t necessarily because it has to be—it’s because of practical limitations. When a patient is awake and fully aware, dentists often need to:
Schedule different areas of the mouth on different days
For patients who tolerate dental care well, this approach works. But for patients who experience anxiety, discomfort, or difficulty sitting through procedures, this structure can become a major barrier.
Why Fewer Appointments Matter
If dental visits are stressful or overwhelming, fewer appointments don’t just mean convenience—they can completely change whether care feels possible at all. Reducing the number of visits can:
Minimize repeated anxiety and anticipation
Eliminate the need to “gear up” multiple times
Reduce disruptions to work, school, or caregiving
Help patients follow through on treatment they might otherwise avoid
For many people, the biggest hurdle isn’t the dentistry—it’s facing the experience over and over again.
Every patient is different, but complex care often involves addressing multiple issues at once. This may include a combination of:
Multiple fillings across different teeth
Crowns to restore damaged or weakened teeth
Tooth extractions when necessary
Treatment for infection or advanced decay
Deep cleanings for gum disease
Instead of spacing these out over weeks or months, they can often be completed together as part of a structured, coordinated plan.
The Role of Sedation and Anesthesia
For patients who struggle with dental visits, sedation isn’t just about comfort—it’s what makes fewer appointments possible. Depending on your needs, this may involve:
This approach can feel completely different. Instead of facing multiple stressful visits, there is:
A clear, defined plan
Fewer experiences to manage emotionally
Little to no awareness of the procedure itself (depending on sedation level)
For many patients, this is what finally makes dental care feel achievable.
A Common Concern: “Is It Too Much to Do at Once?”
It’s natural to question whether completing a lot of dental work in fewer visits is too much. In reality, when properly planned, this approach is often:
More efficient
More controlled
Less stressful overall
Rather than repeatedly starting and stopping care, treatment is completed in a coordinated, carefully managed way.
Ready to Explore a Simpler Path to Care?
If you’ve been putting off dental treatment because it feels like too much to handle, the first step is simply a conversation. Contact The Dental Anesthesia Center today by calling (314) 862-7844 or filling out our online contact form.
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The first two board-certified Dentist Anesthesiologists in the state of Missouri.
