950 Francis Pl #305, Clayton, MO 63105 Mon-Thu 7am-4pm · Fri 7am-3pm

How Sedation Dentistry Reduces Discomfort During Treatment

Sedation dentistry eliminates discomfort during dental procedures, providing patients with a pain-free, relaxing experience.

Dental procedures can be daunting for many patients due to the fear of pain and discomfort. Sedation dentistry provides a solution by ensuring a pain-free and relaxing experience. The Dental Anesthesia Center offers various sedation options tailored to meet individual patient needs.

The Dental Anesthesia Center prioritizes patient comfort and safety through advanced sedation techniques. Contact us today to schedule an appointment to learn how we can make your dental visits pain-free and relaxing.

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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!
Amazing
Response from the owner:Thank you so much! We truly appreciate the amazing review! ⭐️
Thanks Laina for making my visit great. You are the best.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’ll be sure to share your appreciation with Laina. 😊
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.
Dr Thoms and his team are phenomenal. No question, the absolute best possible option for my child when he needed work done while sleeping (age based). While this option is not inexpensive, this set up of have anesthesiology in-house allowed us to get his mouth healthy when a traditional pediatric dentist could/would not. I am a parent that asks a lot of questions on behalf of my toddler’s care and at no point did I feel judged for this, nor was I rushed during my evaluation process during the consultation. Although the procedure is not one I would like to repeat for my child, my husband and I were both so pleased with how well Dr. Thoms communicated and how he clearly cared for our son’s wellbeing (both physical and emotional during a less than comfortable visit). Cannot recommend the back of house team more highly. My one detraction is the FOH staff (not everyone) were not nearly as pleasant. I would like to communicate that while their day-to-day is very routine for them, being in that office as a parent is very scary for some people in their office and a little bit of kindness goes along way. I do recall, having a very pleasant conversation with Rebecca, but otherwise everyone else was on the apathetic side, in my personal opinion. That said you’ll notice that I still am leaving a five star review because the dental staff really just knocked out of the park, but as a parent I want to encourage you to look past any rudeness you may experience over email or on the phone because Dr. Thom’s is really that excellent.
Response from the owner:Thank you for taking the time to share such thoughtful feedback. We’re grateful to hear that our team provided compassionate, attentive care and took the time to answer your questions throughout the process. We also appreciate your comments regarding your experience with our front office team and will certainly share your feedback. Your kind words mean so much to us!

What is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry involves using medications to help patients relax during dental procedures. It mainly benefits those with dental anxiety, sensitive teeth, or complex dental needs (Mayo Clinic).

Types of Sedation Used to Eliminate Discomfort

  • Nitrous Oxide: Known as laughing gas, it reduces anxiety and pain perception while keeping the patient conscious (WebMD).
  • Oral Sedation: A prescribed pill taken before the procedure to induce a deep state of relaxation (Healthline).
  • IV Sedation: Delivered through a vein for immediate effects, providing deep relaxation and minimal memory of the procedure (Colgate).
  • General Anesthesia: Puts the patient into a deep sleep, eliminating pain and discomfort during the procedure (American Dental Association).

How Sedation Helps During Dental Procedures

Sedation dentistry minimizes discomfort by reducing pain perception and relaxing muscles, making procedures smoother for patients and dentists. It is beneficial during lengthy treatments, such as root canals or oral surgeries (Cleveland Clinic).

Benefits of Sedation Dentistry

  • Pain-Free Experience: Sedation blocks pain signals to the brain, ensuring a comfortable procedure (MouthHealthy by ADA).
  • Reduced Anxiety: Patients remain calm and stress-free, which is crucial for those with dental phobia (Dental Fear Central).
  • Time Efficiency: Sedation allows dentists to perform multiple procedures in one visit, reducing the need for various appointments (Healthline).
  • Better Dental Outcomes: Patients are more likely to seek regular dental care when sedation is an option, improving long-term oral health (Mayo Clinic).

Is Sedation Dentistry Right for You?

Patients with severe anxiety, low pain tolerance, or extensive dental needs may benefit greatly from sedation dentistry. Consulting with a qualified dentist helps determine the best sedation method for individual needs (Cleveland Clinic).

Updated: February 14, 2025