Want a new smile but dread the dental chair? Visit the Dental Anesthesia Center in St. Louis. Contact us today to discuss your options.
For many people, veneers represent something bigger than dentistry. They are the chance to smile in photos again, to speak in meetings without covering your mouth, to stop thinking about your teeth every time you meet someone new. But for patients with dental anxiety, a strong gag reflex, or difficulty sitting through long appointments, the path to that new smile can feel out of reach.
It does not have to be. At The Dental Anesthesia Center in St. Louis, cosmetic treatment such as veneers can be completed while you are sedated or fully asleep.
Dr. Hoffman is a friendly individual and readily answers can't questions you may have. His office staff are all friendly. One in particular,Meaghan, has learned to put up with the grumpy old guy from Illinois. I would recommend you give these people a try for your special needs relative.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the kind words and recommendation! We’re so glad to hear you’ve felt welcomed and well cared for by Dr. Hoffman and our team. And we’ll be sure to let Meaghan know she’s doing a great job putting up with our “grumpy old guy from Illinois!”
The Best Dental Office In St Louis! Thanks for keeping my pearly whites shining! … back again and they always do a great job and make me feel comfortable! They have an exceptional staff who are friendly and also very good at their jobs!!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for the wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that you always feel comfortable and well cared for. Our team truly appreciates your kind words!
The practice is top notch. Could not ask for better care. Wish dental care was more affordable.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re grateful for your feedback and are proud to provide high-quality care in a supportive environment.
The best staff for dealing with my level 3 non verbal autistic son. Very understanding and supportive.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad our team could provide a supportive and understanding experience. Your feedback means so much to us!
Dr Thoms is the best. He and his team are very attentive and extremely dedicated to the dental care for our special needs son
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words! We truly appreciate your recognition of Dr. Thoms and our team. Providing compassionate, attentive care is at the heart of what we do!
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! 💙
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!
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.
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.
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!
Individualized care, expertise in general anesthesia, and attention to detail are why we keep returning for our son.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and continued trust in our team! We’re grateful to be part of your family’s care and truly appreciate your confidence in us.
The dental anesthesia center is hands down the best dental office I have ever been to. I neglected my teeth for years due to severe dental anxiety. I had work done under anesthesia with doctor hoffman who did an amazing job. Doctor Behl is not only a fantastic dentist but one of the nicest people I have ever met. The dental hygienists are both thorough and gentle. Stop your search and just go here
Response from the owner:Thank you for your incredibly kind words! We’re so glad our team could help make your experience comfortable and positive. We truly appreciate your trust and recommendation!
I had a great experience at the Dental Anesthesia Center. The reception area Personnel the Doctor-Dentist and one of his assistants all helped to make sure I was comfortable, informed and ready to get it done! Thank you Dental Anesthesia Center team!! CB
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad our team could help make your experience comfortable and reassuring. We truly appreciate your 5-star review!
Their staff was truly caring and respectful in everything they did. The dentist explained what they found in the initial tests, asked us questions about our 82 year old sister, then explained the options that would give the best results.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your thoughtful feedback. We’re grateful for the opportunity to provide compassionate care and appreciate you taking the time to share your experience.
My hygienist, DeLaina Joost, takes excellent care of my teeth with her advanced skills, gentle touch and great “chair side” manner. She is a consummate professional, and such a compassionate person. I look forward to my visits at DAC!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad to hear you had a positive experience with our team and appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback.
Devon’s has received his dental services here for several years. The staff are always pleasant. Dr. Hoffman unmatched. His bedside manner is always welcoming. Devon receives amazing care and support based on his assessed needs. Feedback and instruction is clear and detailed. Follow-up is greatly appreciated. I appreciate their acceptance of differences and assurance that Devon will be taken care of.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and continued trust in our team! We’re grateful to be part of Devon’s care and truly appreciate your thoughtful feedback.
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.
What Veneers Are and What the Process Involves
Veneers are thin shells, usually made of porcelain, that are bonded to the front surfaces of your teeth. They can address chips, deep staining that whitening cannot fix, worn or uneven edges, small gaps, and teeth that are slightly misshapen or out of proportion.
The traditional veneer process typically involves several steps. Your dentist examines your teeth and discusses the result you want. A small amount of enamel is then removed from each tooth receiving a veneer so the finished result sits naturally in your smile. Impressions or digital scans are taken, temporary veneers may be placed, and once your custom veneers are ready, they are carefully fitted, adjusted, and bonded in place.
For a comfortable patient, these appointments are very manageable. But each step involves time in the chair, instruments in the mouth, and precise work close to sensitive teeth. For an anxious patient, that can feel like a wall between them and the smile they want.
Why Some Patients Choose Sedation for Cosmetic Treatment
Patients ask about sedation for veneers for many reasons, and most of them come down to one thing: they want the result, but they cannot comfortably get through the process. Common situations include:
Dental anxiety or past trauma. If earlier dental experiences were painful or frightening, even the idea of enamel preparation can trigger real fear. Sedation allows treatment to happen while you are deeply relaxed or asleep.
A strong gag reflex. Impressions, scanning, and bonding all involve working in the mouth for extended periods. Patients with a sensitive gag reflex often find these steps difficult or impossible while fully awake.
Long appointments. Preparing multiple teeth takes time. Sedation can make a two- or three-hour appointment feel like it passed in minutes.
Jaw problems or difficulty staying open. Patients with TMJ discomfort or limited jaw opening may struggle to hold position for detailed cosmetic work.
Combining treatment. Many of our patients need restorative work, such as fillings, crowns, or extractions, alongside their cosmetic goals. Under sedation or general anesthesia, extensive treatment can often be completed in fewer visits, sometimes a single one, rather than spread across many appointments.
Your Sedation Options
The right level of sedation depends on your health history, your anxiety level, and the treatment planned. At your consultation, our doctors review these factors with you and recommend an approach, which may include:
Nitrous oxide, a mild option that takes the edge off while you remain fully awake, with effects that wear off quickly.
IV sedation, a deeper level of relaxation in which you remain responsive but calm, and often remember little of the appointment.
General anesthesia, in which you are fully asleep for the entire procedure. This option is often chosen by patients with severe anxiety, special needs, strong gag reflexes, or extensive treatment plans.
Because anesthesia is central to our practice rather than an add-on, you are monitored throughout your visit, and your care is planned around both your safety and your comfort.
What to Expect if You Choose Sedation
If you and your doctor decide sedation or general anesthesia is right for your veneer treatment, our team walks you through everything ahead of time: eating and drinking instructions before your appointment, what to expect when you arrive, and arranging a trusted adult to drive you home afterward. Most patients rest for the remainder of the day and feel back to themselves soon after. Your smile goals stay at the center of the plan. Sedation changes how the appointment feels, not the care and precision of the cosmetic work itself.
A New Smile Should Not Require Suffering Through the Process
If you have wanted to improve your smile for years but the process has always stood in the way, sedation dentistry may be the missing piece. You deserve to feel proud of your smile, and you deserve a path to it that does not require pushing through fear.
Contact The Dental Anesthesia Center Today
To find out whether veneers under sedation may be right for you, call The Dental Anesthesia Center in St. Louis at (314) 862-7844 or request a consultation online. Our doctors will listen to your goals, review your health history, and help you choose the approach that fits both your smile and your comfort.
