Intravenous and Oral Sedation

At Smiles Better we want all of our patients to enjoy the benefits of a beautiful, healthy smile. We understand in some extreme cases of dental phobia intravenous sedation is the only option for patients to be treated for their clinically and cosmetic dental needs and desires.

Intravenous sedation allows you to be sedated just enough to be pain-free and unaware of the treatment, as if you were relaxing. That is why it is normally referred to as a conscious sedation process. Our ultimate goal is to make your visit to our practice a comfortable one.


What is Intravenous Sedation?
Intravenous sedation is the direct introduction of a drug into a patient’s bloodstream and the drug is normally called Hypnovel (Midazolam). It works on the central nervous system to produce sedation by providing a hypnotic effect and relaxes patients by reducing their anxiety.

The drug can also provide an anterograde amnesic effect, meaning that some patients will not recall events that occur after Hypnovel has been administered. The drug stays in the body a long time after the patient has left the dental surgery, which is why the patient needs an escort to provide aftercare for at least 24 hours. This type of sedation is not suitable for all patients, e.g. children below 7 years and pregnant women. The patient will need an escort to and from the practice but they are able to walk.

Our sedationist, Dr Gideon Bosch,  is a fully qualified doctor and is equipped to provide this service in the dental surgery.

What is Oral Sedation?
We also offer oral sedation which comes in tablet form. We prescribe Temazepam tablets which belong to the "benzodiazepine" family.
Benzos directly and efficiently decrease anxiety by binding with receptors in the brain which tone down activity in those parts of the brain responsible for fear.
Temazepam is a Sedative-Hypnotic which are drugs that induce a calming effect, including drowsiness ("sedation"). In higher doses, they induce a state resembling physiological sleep ("hypnosis") but they do also target brain areas which control emotions such as fear.

Benzodiazepines are Central Nervous System (CNS) depressants (for example, there can be a decline in blood pressure and breathing - which is good, because if your heart isn't racing, you'll feel calmer). They should NOT be mixed with other CNS depressants such as alcohol. Don't self-medicate and stick to the dose your dentist or doctor recommends.

People for whom benzos have worked well describe them as "working wonders", as having a calming and relaxing effect, or as making you feel "out of it". Giddiness, confusion and saying silly things are also common. Benzos may make you forget large parts of what happened while you were under their influence, which can be handy if you don't want to remember very much! However, this effect is not reliable.