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The Truth Behind 5 Sedation Dentistry Myths

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Though sedation dentistry has gained incredible popularity in recent years, there is still a significant amount of misinformation about it.

There is no shortage of myths and misconceptions about sedation dentistry. At The Dental Anesthesia Center, we understand that the idea of sedation can seem intimidating, but it’s a safe, effective solution for patients with dental anxiety, special needs, or complex procedures.

Pediatric Oral Sedation
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.
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!
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!
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.
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!

 

Myth 1: Sedation Dentistry Is Only for Extreme Cases

The Truth: Sedation is for anyone who needs extra comfort.
Many people think sedation dentistry is only for patients with severe dental phobia or those undergoing major surgeries. In reality, sedation is available for a variety of reasons, including:

  • Mild to severe dental anxiety.
  • Low pain tolerance.
  • Difficulty sitting still for long periods.
  • A sensitive gag reflex.
  • Patients with special needs or medical conditions.

Whether you need a routine cleaning or a more involved procedure, sedation can make the experience stress-free.

Myth 2: You’ll Be Completely Unconscious

The Truth: Most sedation methods keep you awake and responsive.
Contrary to popular belief, sedation dentistry doesn’t always mean “putting you to sleep.” There are different levels of sedation:

  • Minimal Sedation: You’ll feel calm but fully awake.
  • Moderate Sedation (Conscious Sedation): You may feel drowsy and may not remember much of the procedure, but you’ll remain responsive.
  • Deep Sedation or General Anesthesia: You’ll be completely unconscious, typically used for complex cases or patients with special needs.

At The Dental Anesthesia Center, we tailor the level of sedation to your specific needs, ensuring your comfort while keeping you safe.

Myth 3: Sedation Dentistry Isn’t Safe

The Truth: Sedation is highly regulated and carefully monitored.
When performed by trained professionals, sedation dentistry is incredibly safe. Our team has specialized training in sedation and anesthesia, ensuring the highest standards of care. During your procedure:

  • Your vital signs, such as heart rate, oxygen levels, and blood pressure, are continuously monitored.
  • We use state-of-the-art equipment to manage sedation levels with precision.
  • Your medical history and any potential risks are reviewed beforehand.

Patient safety is always our top priority.

Myth 4: Sedation Dentistry Is Too Expensive

The Truth: Sedation can be affordable, and insurance may cover it.
While sedation may add to the cost of a procedure, it’s often not as expensive as people assume. Additionally:

  • Many insurance plans offer coverage for sedation in some instances, such as for medical necessity or extensive procedures.
  • Flexible payment plans and financing options are often available to make sedation dentistry accessible for all patients.

Consider sedation an investment in your oral health. By making dental care easier and more comfortable, sedation can prevent the need for more costly treatments down the road.

Myth 5: Recovery Takes a Long Time

The Truth: Most patients recover quickly.
The recovery time depends on the type of sedation used, but most patients return to normal within a few hours. With minimal or moderate sedation, you may feel a little groggy immediately afterward, but the effects wear off quickly. If general anesthesia is used, you may need someone to drive you home and rest for the day, but you’ll typically feel normal the next day.

Your dentist will give you clear instructions to ensure a smooth recovery process.

Why Choose The Dental Anesthesia Center for Sedation Dentistry?

At The Dental Anesthesia Center, we specialize in providing sedation and sleep dentistry to patients of all ages. Whether you experience dental anxiety, have special needs, or require complex procedures, we create a personalized plan to make your visit as comfortable as possible.

We proudly serve the St. Louis area with compassionate, expert care. If you’ve been putting off dental treatment due to fear or discomfort, sedation dentistry may be the solution you’ve been looking for.

Updated: November 29, 2024

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