How Long Does Sedation Dentistry Last?

Sedation dentistry is a great option for the patients who have dental anxiety or have to go through long lasting procedures that require them to sit still for hours at a time.

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The Dental Anesthesia Center: Sedation and Sleep Dentistry4.9

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Vital Response L.

This office is amazing! They were wonderful with our low-functioning autistic son! I would recommend Dr. Hoffman to anyone!

Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and recommendation! We’re honored to provide a caring and supportive experience for every family who visits our office.

Nicole B.

I am so thrilled we found a dentist office that also has the best interests of our loved one in mind! They have goals of just not making people comfortable, but work towards overcoming fears when possible; along with when sedation is necessary, creating a best case scenario! Special thanks to Rebecca, Dr. Hoffman, and his nurse for the time and education we needed to help our little guy with his new transition!

Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and trust in our team! We’re so glad you felt supported and informed throughout your experience. We appreciate your feedback and look forward to continuing to provide compassionate care!

Lauren W.

The staff is always so friendly and go above and beyond to make sure you have a comfortable experience. I highly recommend this office.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and recommendation! We’re so happy to hear you’ve had a comfortable experience with our team and we truly appreciate your support!

Joshua C.

Kind staff❕

Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad you had a positive experience with our team and appreciate you taking the time to leave a review.

Debbie H.

Our son, Jimmy Henderson , has been having all of his dental care done by Dr. Michael Hoffmann and his team at the Dental Anesthesia Center for the past 15 years. He goes there once a year and they put him to sleep, clean his teeth, take x-rays and fix anything that needs to be repaired. They are such a blessing for us and our son. He couldn’t tolerate a regular dentist. We heartily recommend them for your dental care. Terry & Debbie Henderson

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful review. We are truly grateful for your trust and support over the years. Our team is dedicated to providing compassionate, individualized care in a safe and comfortable environment. Your recommendation means the world to us!

It is also generally safe to use for children because they often cannot stay still for a long time during the needed treatment.

Still, many patients and parents are concerned about the safety of sedation and don’t really know what to expect from it. If you or your child needs a long treatment or if your anxiety prevents you from receiving the needed procedure, your dentist may recommend sedation dentistry. It is therefore important to understand what to expect. While the specifics should be discussed with your dentist, here are some general guidelines.

Before and During the Sedation

You generally need to restrain from eating and drinking anything for six hours before being administered sedatives. That will ensure that your stomach is empty and regurgitated food won’t cause any obstruction of the airways while you are under the sedatives.

Sedatives can be administered intravenously, orally or inhaled. Your St. Louis sedation dentist will discuss the best form of administration for your particular case. If your anxiety levels are very high, you might be asked to take a calming pill before your appointment to ease up the entire process.

You may have to be intubated and wear monitoring devices that help the doctors keep a close eye on your vital signs while you are sedated.

What Will You Feel When Being Sedated?

You will start feeling calm, relaxed, and maybe a bit lightheaded after the sedatives enter your bloodstream. Your arms and legs may feel like they are heavier and soon you will be numb to feel any pain and the doctors can proceed with the treatment.

What to Do after the Procedure?

You will remain in the cabinet for a while after the procedure is complete to be monitored while you recover. It often takes about half an hour for the anesthesia to wear off. You may still feel drowsy and lightheaded for a few hours afterward, so make sure you have someone to transport you home safely and keep you company.

Make sure not to operate vehicles or any dangerous machinery for at least 24 hours after your procedure. You might not respond quickly enough if something happens, and you risk getting injured or damaging your goods.

For these same reasons, it is wise to stay away from cooking for the following 24 hours, as the kitchen can be quite a dangerous place when you are groggy and dizzy. Have someone cook for you or order out and relax for the rest of the day.

We strongly recommend avoiding alcohol, tobacco or other similar substances. Adding more relaxants to your body when it is under the influence or sedatives is not a good idea.

St. Louis Sedation Dentistry

We are the first two board-certified Dental Anesthesiologists in the State of Missouri, including the St. Louis Metro Area. If you have any questions regarding dental sedation or would like to set up and appointment, give us a call today at (314) 862-7844.