How Sleep Dentistry Can Make Your Next Visit Stress-Free

If fear has kept you from getting the dental care you need, sleep dentistry may be the perfect solution. Contact us today to schedule.

For many people, the thought of going to the dentist brings feelings of anxiety, fear, or discomfort. Avoiding the dentist can lead to serious oral health issues, whether it’s due to a previous traumatic experience, a strong gag reflex, or general uneasiness about dental procedures. But what if you could sleep through your entire visit?

This is exactly what sleep dentistry offers—a completely stress-free way to receive the dental care you need without anxiety, pain, or discomfort.

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The Dental Anesthesia Center: Sedation and Sleep Dentistry

Based on 96 reviews

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pnkldy74

Our adult daughter has cerebral palsy and requires being fully sedated when having anything done. The DAC was such a positive experience. Dr Hoffmann and his staff were kind and did great explaining things. As a mom, I had a lot of questions about how certain things would be done as usually she’s in her chair when getting examined at her local dentist and they had everything under control including transferring from her chair to the dentist chair and keeping her secured in the dentist chair as well as keeping her neck and legs comfortable. Many thanks to them!

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words. We’re grateful for your trust and happy to hear that you had such a positive experience with our team. Our goal is always to provide compassionate, attentive care in a safe and comfortable environment. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience.

Craig P.

TWENTY YEARS! That is how long our special needs son has been seeing Dr Hoffman and his dedicated team! Our son suffers from an intellectual disability, is non-verbal, and is unable to cooperate for dental cleaning, x-rays, or other routine dental work. He requires general anesthesia. It is such a blessing to avoid a hospital setting just for dental work.

The team is always well staffed, friendly, personable and very professional. Every single year we have been supported by a deeply caring team who are dedicated to patients with a very wide range of disabilities and needs. They have shared useful dental advice and tools (3 sided toothbrushes, blocks to hold open their mouth for daily at-home care, etc.) which improved our son’s daily dental care. We always receive a call back the day after to check his recovery-even on weekends!

Highly recommended and so appreciative to have this team supporting our ever long road of raising a special needs son.

Response from the owner:Wow — thank you for sharing such a heartfelt review! We are so grateful for your trust and for allowing our team to be part of your family’s journey over the years. It means so much to us to know that our care and support have made a difference. We truly appreciate your kind words and recommendation!

Cheryl D.

We've been coming to Dr.Hoffman for twenty years. There's a reason we keep coming back! He's great. His staff is great. He's double boarded as an MD (Anesthesia) and DDS!!! Our son with special needs needs sedation for even a cleaning. You get what you pay for. He's expensive and... we know he's getting the best care!

Response from the owner:Thank you for trusting our team over the years and for your kind words about Dr. Hoffmann and our staff. We truly value your confidence in the care we provide!

Leslie L.

Omg!! This place is Amazing! The people who work here are so very nice and understanding. I love this team

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words! We truly appreciate your support and are grateful to have such wonderful patients.

Cindy R.

Searching for a new dental clinic is challenging for someone who has
dental anxiety, fear, and traumatic experiences in a dental chair. The staff and doctors at the Dental Anesthesia Center were immediately very welcoming. Dr. Thoms put together a very detailed plan to repair and replace the previous work that I had in the past that was now causing problems. Putting my faith in him was the best thing that I could have done for my situation. I am more than completely satisfied with all of the extensive dental work that I’ve had with Dr.Thoms. I had my fourth sleep dentistry experience yesterday and I’m very happy with my results. I highly recommend this practice and truly want to give them more than five stars! Thank you for giving me back my health and confidence.

Response from the owner:We know it isn’t always easy to find a dental office where you feel at ease, so your words mean the world to us. We’re so glad you feel comfortable with our team and truly appreciate your trust and recommendation!

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What Is Sleep Dentistry?

Sleep dentistry, or sedation dentistry, involves using medication to help patients relax or sleep during dental procedures. While many people assume it means being “fully asleep,” there are different levels of sedation, depending on the patient’s needs.

Types of Sedation in Sleep Dentistry:

• Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas): A mild sedative that helps you relax while remaining awake.
• Oral Sedation: A pill taken before the procedure that induces deep relaxation.
• IV Sedation: Administered through an IV, allowing for a deeper level of relaxation where you may not remember the procedure.
• General Anesthesia: A complete sleep state where you are unconscious, typically used for extensive procedures or patients with severe anxiety.

Who Can Benefit from Sleep Dentistry?

Sleep dentistry isn’t just for people with extreme dental phobia. It is beneficial for:

• Patients with dental anxiety or phobia
• Those with a strong gag reflex
• Individuals with special needs or sensory sensitivities
• Patients undergoing lengthy or complex procedures
• People with difficulty sitting still for long periods
• Anyone with a low pain tolerance

How Sleep Dentistry Makes Your Visit Stress-Free

1. No Anxiety or Fear

One of the biggest advantages of sleep dentistry is that it eliminates dental anxiety. Whether you’re mildly nervous or have a severe phobia, sedation ensures that you feel calm and comfortable throughout your appointment.

2. Pain-Free Experience

Most people avoid the dentist due to fear of pain. With sedation, you won’t feel a thing! Your dentist will also use local anesthesia to ensure complete numbness, but with sedation, you’ll be far more relaxed or unaware of the procedure.

3. Time Flies By

For patients undergoing long or multiple procedures, sedation dentistry helps the time pass quickly. Many patients feel like their treatment was completed in just minutes.

4. Fewer Appointments

Because sedation allows dentists to work more efficiently, multiple procedures can often be completed in one visit. This reduces the number of appointments needed and minimizes stress.

5. Ideal for Patients with Special Needs

For patients with autism, sensory sensitivities, or physical disabilities, sleep dentistry provides a way to receive necessary care without distress or discomfort.

What to Expect When Choosing Sleep Dentistry

Before Your Appointment:

• You’ll have a consultation to discuss your medical history and anxiety level.
• Your dentist will determine the best sedation method for you.
• If taking oral sedation or undergoing IV sedation, you’ll need someone to drive you to and from the appointment.

During the Procedure:

• You’ll be given the sedation medication based on your selected level.
• Depending on the sedation type, you may feel relaxed, drowsy, or completely asleep.
• The dental team will monitor you throughout to ensure safety and comfort.

After Your Visit:

• You may feel groggy if you had oral or IV sedation, so resting is recommended.
• Avoid driving for 24 hours if deep sedation or general anesthesia was used.
• Most patients experience little to no memory of the procedure.

Is Sleep Dentistry Safe?

Yes! Sleep dentistry is extremely safe when administered by trained professionals. At The Dental Anesthesia Center, our specialists are certified in sedation and anesthesia, ensuring you receive the safest, most comfortable care possible.