Serving Kirkwood, Missouri · Clayton office
Sedation Dentistry in Kirkwood, MO
The Dental Anesthesia Center provides sedation and sleep dentistry for Kirkwood patients who cannot be treated comfortably in a traditional dental setting, including people with severe dental anxiety, special needs, or complex medical conditions. Our doctor-owned practice is in Clayton, in central St. Louis County.
Who we help from Kirkwood
Not every patient fits a traditional dental office.
Many Kirkwood families come to us after a regular dental office could not complete their care. We were built for the patients other offices cannot comfortably serve.
Severe dental anxiety
For patients whose fear has kept them from care for years. We work at your pace, fully sedated.
Special needs patients
Autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s. Safe, dignified care for patients of all abilities.
Children who cannot cooperate
Pediatric sedation for children too young, too anxious, or medically unable to tolerate treatment while awake.
Complex treatment needs
Extensive restorative or surgical work completed in a single visit under general anesthesia.
Sedation and anesthesia
Dental care for patients who need more than a numbing shot.
Our dentist anesthesiologists provide in-office sedation and general anesthesia so that treatment can be completed safely and comfortably, often in a single visit.
Levels of sedation
Depending on the patient and the procedure, we offer three levels of care, all provided in our office. Oral conscious sedation uses medication taken by mouth before the appointment, so you stay awake but deeply relaxed. IV sedation is a deeper level of relaxation delivered through a small IV, adjusted and monitored throughout the visit. General anesthesia means you are fully asleep for the procedure, which can be appropriate for extensive treatment plans or for patients who cannot cooperate with treatment while awake.
Every level is provided by, or under the direction of, a dentist anesthesiologist, with monitoring throughout the procedure. Our doctors will recommend the level that fits your health history, your anxiety, and the work that needs to be done. Learn more about our sedation dentistry in St. Louis or read about the levels of sedation we provide.
What to expect at your first visit
Care begins with a consultation. Our doctors review your medical history, current medications, and dental needs, and talk with you (or the caregiver arranging care) about which level of sedation may be appropriate. From there we build a treatment plan and schedule the procedure.
On the day of treatment you will receive instructions about eating and drinking beforehand, and you will need a responsible adult to drive you home after any sedation or anesthesia. Afterward, patients rest and recover at home. Written instructions for each type of procedure are available on our after your appointment page.
Why Kirkwood families choose a doctor-owned practice
The Dental Anesthesia Center is privately owned and proudly remains doctor-owned, which allows our three doctors to keep the focus on patient-centered care rather than the priorities of a corporate dental chain. Our doctors also train other doctors: residents in graduate periodontics and dental anesthesiology rotate through our office to learn sedation and anesthesia care. Meet our doctors and team.
Insurance and financing
Many dental plans include benefits that may help cover part of your care, and our team submits claims as a courtesy. Financing is available for qualified applicants through Cherry and CareCredit. Learn more on our insurance and financing pages.
Visiting us from Kirkwood
Our office is at 950 Francis Pl #305, Clayton, MO 63105, in central St. Louis County. Office hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and Friday, 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Many Kirkwood patients are referred by their general dentist or pediatric dentist. If your dentist has referred you, they can send details through our referral form. Call (314) 862-7844 or request a consultation to get started.
Questions answered
Frequently asked questions
Common questions from Kirkwood patients, parents, and caregivers. If yours is not here, call us and we will talk it through.
Do you see patients from Kirkwood?
Yes. Our office is in Clayton, and we care for patients from Kirkwood and throughout the St. Louis metro area. We are accepting new patients, including adults and children with special needs or severe dental anxiety.
Will I be asleep during treatment?
That depends on the level of sedation your doctor recommends. With oral or IV sedation you are deeply relaxed and may remember little of the visit. Under general anesthesia you are fully asleep and monitored by a dentist anesthesiologist for the entire procedure.
Can my dental work be completed in one visit?
Often, yes. Because patients are sedated or asleep, our doctors can frequently complete extensive treatment plans in a single appointment. Your doctor will confirm what is appropriate for your situation at a consultation.
Does my Kirkwood dentist need to refer me?
No. Many of our patients are referred by their general dentist or pediatric dentist, but you can also contact us directly. Call (314) 862-7844 or request a consultation online and our team will help you get started.
Academic partnerships
Where other dentists come to learn.
Our doctors train other doctors. Residents in graduate periodontics and dental anesthesiology rotate through our Clayton office to learn sedation and anesthesia care.
Residency rotation
Saint Louis University
Center for Advanced Dental Education
Graduate periodontics residents from SLU rotate through our office for a month of hands-on sedation training with our doctors.
Residency program
University of Pittsburgh
School of Dental Medicine
We partner with the University of Pittsburgh’s Dental Anesthesiology Residency Program, helping train the next generation of dentist anesthesiologists.
Ready to talk about care for a Kirkwood patient?
Call (314) 862-7844 to speak with our team about sedation or anesthesia for yourself or someone you care for. We are accepting new patients from Kirkwood and throughout the St. Louis area.