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.
I want to thank everyone at the Dental Anesthesia Center for taking care of me yesterday—Meaghan helped me get the forms filled out correctly and in on time, Daisy for guiding me in and getting me out safely, Dr. Hoffman for taking care of my teeth and dealing with my really terrible gag reflex, and EVERYONE who helps make this happen. I don't know all of your names, but I do know that it takes all of you working together to make my dental care possible and have good results.
I'm always nervous when I first arrive, even though every procedure has had a good outcome. I've never had any pain or excessive bleeding as a result. The one thing I realized yesterday is that all of you are warm, friendly, positive, you have what is called a good vibe, which helps me a great deal.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and for taking the time to share your experience. We’re so glad our team could help you feel comfortable and supported throughout your visit. Providing a safe, positive environment is very important to us, and your feedback means a great deal. We truly appreciate your trust in our care!
Dr. Thoms and his entire staff at The Dental Anesthesia Center have been absolutely wonderful!! They're all so kind and knowledgeable. I would give them 10 stars if I could!!!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words! We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. It means a lot to hear this feedback.
Dr Mike Hoffman is the best dentist I’ve ever been to. His whole practice focuses on the patient’s needs. He is the consumate professional with expertise across the dental spectrum and in anesthesia. I highly recommend him and his practice.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your thoughtful review and recommendation! We’re grateful for your kind words and are proud to provide patient-centered care with a focus on comfort and safety.
Yes, my grandson has nonverbal autism and they took very good care of him.. He had to have some extra extractions which I was concerned about, but everything went very well. Very happy and I thank you all for all the work you did.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words. We’re so glad to hear you had a positive experience and that everything went smoothly. We truly appreciate your trust in us.
I took my son to an appointment today with Dr. Hoffman. We had a great experience from the time we arrived until we departed. The receptionist was very friendly and helpful. The dental assistants were very helpful and polite with my son. The doctor is very kind and patient. They explain everything as we went through the process. We were aware of the cost from the beginning to the end and we're allowed to make decisions about how to handle my child's care and not shocked with additional charges after the fact. My child does not resist going to this office. Great experience.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad to hear your experience was positive from start to finish. Our team works hard to create a comfortable, transparent, and supportive environment for every patient and family. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback!
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.
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The first two board-certified Dentist Anesthesiologists in the state of Missouri.
