Factors That Determine Which Type of Sedation You Receive

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Visit our office to determine which type of sedation dentistry is best for you or your loved one.

One of the issues that you might have with sedation dentistry is not knowing which type of sedation you will receive. Fortunately, a variety of guidelines help make this decision, many of which are listed in the sections below. Of course, talking to a sedation dentist in person is the best way to find out which type of sedation is best for you or your loved one.

When you come in for your initial consultation at The Dental Anesthesia Center, Dr. Hoffmann, Dr. Thoms, or Dr. Behl will decide which level is best for you.

Special Needs Dentistry
What a wonderful, knowledgeable, caring staff. Excellent care given to our 26 year old special needs son. They made everything so easy and kept me updated through the whole visit. Would highly recommend.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and recommendation! Our team works hard to provide compassionate, high-quality care and to keep families informed every step of the way. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience.
Dr.Hoffmann thank you so much for making everything smooth and easy your staff was awesome for it to be so early in the morning all smiles and nice facility. They make you feel comfortable and explain everything to you as they go. I will refer you to my family and friends thank you again.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your thoughtful review! We’re so glad to hear you had a positive experience with our team and that everything felt smooth and comfortable for you. We truly appreciate your kind words and your willingness to recommend our office to family and friends! 😊
This dental practice is excellent with my daughter (25 y/o with autism). The entire team is kind, patient, and understanding. They take time to explain what will be happening and only recommend procedures that are truly necessary.

The staff never rushes and makes patients feel comfortable and supported. They are very in tune with sensory challenges. It’s clear they care deeply about creating a positive experience and treating everyone with dignity.

We heartily recommend Dr. Hoffmann and his team.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear your daughter feels comfortable and supported. Dr. Hoffmann and our team truly appreciate your recommendation.
Dr. Thom and the entire staff at the Dental Anesthesia Center were warm, friendly and welcoming to me and my husband. My husband has dementia and needed extensive dental work. Dr. Thom took the time to explain to me what needed to be done before the procedure began. My husband is now fully recovered and doing just fine. I'm so grateful that we were referred to the Dental Anesthesia Center. Thank you!!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re honored to hear that you felt welcomed and supported by our team. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience and are grateful for your trust in our office!
This is one of the best places that I have gone to for extensive dental care. The professionals there are extremely caring, and their bedside manner is beyond compare!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad you had a positive experience with our team. Providing compassionate, high-quality care is always our goal, and we truly appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback.

Severity of Condition

Whether you have anxiety, low pain tolerance, or any other condition, your issue will fall on a spectrum. Relatively mild cases will require weaker sedatives, while more severe issues will call for stronger ones. As an example, you might treat a minor case of anxiety with a pill, rather than nitrous oxide or IV sedation. Having a disease that causes uncontrollable physical movement would likely require those stronger treatments.

Fear of Needles

People that have a deep fear of needles often cannot take IV sedation. In this case, they have two options. The first is using nitrous oxide instead. The second is utilizing nitrous oxide for initial sedation, then adding the IV in once they are partially unconscious.

Type of Treatment You’re Receiving

Another factor is what kind of treatment you’re receiving. As you might imagine, a quick dental cleaning might not call for strong sedatives. On the other hand, an extended procedure definitely would, even for people who do not have issues going to the dentist.

Each Patient is Different

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

Individuals with anxieties, phobias, severe gag reflex, or difficulty getting numb are candidates for the center’s general anesthesia services. In addition, young children or individuals with physical or mental disabilities who are unable to cooperate for dental treatment can benefit from these services.

Sleep and Special Needs Dentistry

As you now know, the kind of sedative you will receive depends on a multitude of factors. They include the severity of your condition, fear of needles, what treatment you need, available equipment, personal preference, and your dentist’s preference. The good news is that you don’t have to go through the complicated process of choosing on your own.

Your initial oral examination includes a visual examination, charting, diagnosis and treatment recommendations. Call us today to schedule your appointment at (314) 862-7844. We look forward to meeting you!

Updated: June 6, 2025

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