Dental Anesthesia for Patients with Special Needs

Sleep dentistry provides a safe and effective way for special needs patients to receive the dental treatment they need.

A special needs patient may require a special needs dentist. Patients who have paralysis, stroke, Down Syndrome, Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, and genetic disorders may need a little extra dental care to ensure they maintain optimal dental health. Everyone requires individual attention and dental care.

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The Dental Anesthesia Center: Sedation and Sleep Dentistry

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Whitney S.

I cannot say enough wonderful things about The Dental Anesthesia Center and Dr. Thoms. My 7-year-old, who has autism, recently had dental work done here and the experience exceeded expectations. The staff was incredibly kind, patient, and understanding of his needs. They took the time to make him and us feel comfortable, never rushed, and explained everything. I am so grateful for this office and the team that made my son's dental care possible. I would recommend The Dental Anesthesia Center and Dr Thoms to any parent, especially those with children who have special needs. They truly go above and beyond. ❤️

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your thoughtful review and kind words! We’re truly grateful for your trust in our team and Dr. Thoms. Knowing your visit was a positive and comfortable experience means the world to us — it’s exactly what we strive for with every patient and family. 💙

Joy H.

Very patient with elderly patients. Very good experience.

Response from the owner:Thank you for sharing your feedback! We’re pleased to know the visit was a positive experience.

Carla B.

My son has been a patient of Dr Michael Hoffman since he was 5 years old. He is now 21 years old. My son has diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and therefore I am cautious of who I select as a treatment provider. Dr. Hoffman’s office is professional, kind and I know they have his best interest at heart. I highly recommend Dr. Hoffman and staff to anyone seeking dental care.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and recommendation! We truly appreciate your trust in our team over the years.

Paul

Super experience. Gentle and empathetic. All round care is great. Staff are wonderful.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind review! We’re so glad you had a great experience with our team.

Nancy S.

We are forever grateful for Dr Hoffman and his wonderful staff for having the vision of how to get necessary dental work done for patients who are dealing with autism and cannot tolerate it without dental anesthesia. We have been taking our adult daughter there once a year for the last four years. Thanks to Dr Hoffman’s vast knowledge and expertise, our daughter has been able to get wisdom teeth removed, cavities filled, teeth cleaned and detailed X-rays to know exactly what needed done. The Dental Anesthesia Center is a great service to the community. Thank you so much for helping us.

Response from the owner:hank you so much for your thoughtful review and kind words about our team! We truly appreciate your trust in us and are honored to provide care in a way that helps make dental treatment more comfortable and accessible for all patients. Your feedback means a great deal to our entire staff.

We at The Dental Anesthesia Center are here to help you and your loved one. We work hard to make our patients feel at ease by providing exceptional patient care in a relaxed, convenient atmosphere.

Understanding the Different Levels of Sedation

There are different levels of sedation for each patient. The sedation method for an individual is determined by the patient’s medical history and current physical and mental health:

• Nitrous oxide – If your dentist has recommended nitrous oxide or “laughing gas” for a patient, it is probably a good idea. Laughing gas is an odorless gas used to take away the anxiety children can sometimes experience when they are in the dentist’s chair. There are very few side effects and a low risk of using nitrous oxide. The pros of having a good experience are a significant advantage and can affect a patient’s oral habits in the future. When taking nitrous oxide, they never lose consciousness; they are awake and alert the whole time.
• Oral sedation – If you are considering oral sedation, then there might be slightly more risk involved – but it is still minimal. Oral sedation is achieved by giving patients medication before they visit the office. The medication is meant to relax them, take away any anxiety, and make them calmer when the procedure is happening. Oral sedation typically will aid them in falling asleep so they can sleep through the procedure. That means they won’t have any negative memories and won’t be moving around, making it harder for the dentist to finish the procedure.
• IV Sedation – IV sedation involves administering a sedative through a vein, which allows the medication to work very quickly. Since it is administered this way, a dentist can adjust the level of sedation as needed for the dental procedure. Being able to tailor the amount of sedative reduces the risk of complications and side effects. Patients are not asleep during IV sedation; they are semi-awake and may be able to communicate a little with the dentist. Typically, a patient will have little or no memory of the procedure and be able to relax during any treatment.

Sleep dentistry provides a safe and effective way for special needs patients to receive the dental treatment they need. Patients will have a complete exam, an entire mouth series of x-rays (pictures of teeth), and a thorough cleaning while under general anesthesia.

The Dental Anesthesia Center

When you come in for your appointment, Dr. Hoffmann, Dr.Thoms, or Dr. Behl will decide which level is best for you or your loved one.

Your initial oral examination includes a visual examination, charting, diagnosis, and treatment recommendations. We will also take x-rays, including the panoramic x-ray, for proper diagnosis of the anterior (front) and posterior (back) teeth and the bite-wing x-ray series for accurate diagnosis of proximal decay of posterior teeth.