IV Sedation for Comfortable, Stress-Free Dentistry
If you feel anxious about dental treatment, our specialist team can provide intravenous (IV) conscious sedation to help you relax. You remain responsive and able to communicate, while a local anaesthetic is also used to ensure you feel no pain or discomfort. Most patients remember little of the procedure afterwards, making even complex care feel calm and manageable.
Why patients choose IV sedation at Dawood & Tanner
Specialist anaesthetist led
Expert care throughout your procedure
Your sedation is carried out by a consultant anaesthetist who visits our Wimpole Street clinic to support patients requiring additional comfort. With years of hospital and clinical experience, they deliver tailored sedation and remain by your side throughout your treatment. Advanced monitoring of your breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate ensures the highest level of safety.
Seamless care pathway
Comfort for routine and complex treatment
Sedation is available across a wide range of procedures, from straightforward restorative treatments to advanced implant dentistry. Our clinicians and anaesthetist work closely together, so your care is coordinated at every stage. This approach allows anxious patients to access all our world-class dentistry.
Comfort with control
Relax deeply while staying responsive
IV sedation allows you to feel calm and detached from the dental environment while remaining conscious and able to respond. Patients often describe it as drifting through treatment with little memory afterwards, making even lengthy or intricate procedures feel manageable.
What to expect on the day
Arrival and assessment
A personalised consultation before your treatment
When you arrive, you will meet your consultant anaesthetist, who will review your medical history in detail and answer any questions you may have. This important step ensures you will be comfortable during your treatment.
During treatment
Gentle, expertly monitored sedation care
You’ll stay conscious yet deeply relaxed. IV sedation, given through a small tube in your hand or arm, allows our anaesthetist to maintain calm, steady comfort while closely monitoring your breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate.
After treatment
Safe recovery before heading home
Your reactions may be slower for up to 24 hours after IV sedation. You must have a responsible adult with you, avoid driving or using machinery, and refrain from caring for others or making major decisions.
Preparing for your appointment
Health update
Keeping your team fully informed
It is important to let us know about any changes to your health, such as colds, sinus issues, fever, or new medications prescribed by your GP. Your anaesthetist will advise whether to proceed as planned or reschedule your appointment.
Fasting
Why food and drink must be avoided before sedation
To reduce the risk of complications, you will be given instructions relating to eating and drinking before your appointment. This precaution allows your anaesthetist to administer sedation safely and effectively.
Patient Escort
Essential support for your journey home
You must arrange for an adult to accompany you home after treatment. Travelling alone or using public transport is not suitable, as you may feel drowsy for several hours. Having a responsible escort ensures your safety and peace of mind.
FAQ's about dental sedation
Dental sedation provides a calm and comfortable alternative to general anaesthesia. You remain conscious and able to communicate with your dentist throughout treatment, but deeply relaxed and detached from any sense of anxiety.
It does not put you to sleep, but helps you feel calm and at ease while your treatment is carried out. A local anaesthetic is still used to ensure you remain completely pain-free.
We provide intravenous (IV) conscious sedation, administered by a consultant anaesthetist. A sedative drug is delivered through a fine plastic tube in a vein in your hand or arm. The level of sedation can be precisely controlled and continuously adjusted to maintain comfort and safety throughout your treatment.
No. IV sedation is a form of conscious sedation, which means you remain awake but feel calm, detached, and often have little memory of the procedure.
Yes. Your sedation is administered by a highly experienced consultant anaesthetist, using hospital-standard monitoring throughout your treatment to ensure the highest level of safety.
Sedation can be used for almost any dental procedure—from hygiene appointments and routine care to longer or more complex treatments such as crowns, bridges, and dental implants.
It is particularly helpful if you:
- Have dental anxiety or a previous difficult experience
- Have a strong gag reflex or low pain threshold
- Require extensive or complex dental work
Find that local anaesthetic alone is not enough for comfort
Yes. For your safety, you will be given advice related to eating and drinking prior to your appointment.
Most patients are able to go home around an hour after treatment. If crowns or bridges are being made in our on-site laboratory, your visit may take longer.
No. You must arrange for a responsible adult to accompany you home. We recommend travelling by car or taxi, as public transport is not suitable after sedation.
With IV sedation, it’s normal to feel drowsy after treatment. Most patients recover within eight hours, though some effects can last up to 24 hours. Temporary memory loss during or after sedation is common, and many patients recall little or nothing of the procedure—something they often find reassuring.
Safe recovery before heading home
After IV sedation, your reactions will be slower than usual for up to 24 hours.
For your safety, these precautions are essential:
- Arrange for a responsible adult to collect you and stay with you for at least 24 hours.
- Do not drive, travel alone, or use machinery.
- Do not care for others or make important decisions.
These measures ensure your complete safety while the sedative fully leaves your system. Most patients feel rested and back to normal by the next day.
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I have now had four implants and one extraction, and the service and support from Andrew and Hannah have been exceptional. As I said to Andrew after the tooth extraction, it was a non-event. Implants are a significant investment both in terms of time and, yes, money. I was referred to Darwood and Tanner by my dentist, and am very grateful to him and everyone at Darwood and Tanner for their work. Dental procedures, such as implants, are a major investment, and I have no hesitation in recommending them. To paraphrase an advertisement from a few years back, you're worth it, and so are they.Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I broke my front tooth badly on a fork and was considerately given an appointment for the following day. Fiona Mackillop, who is a specialist in periodontics and dental implant surgery and fundamentally a fantastic dentist, repaired my front tooth to perfection. It required highly skilled cosmetic dental work, which Fiona is supremely good at. Fiona did an amazing implant for me, some years earlier. Fiona's dental nurse is extremely efficient, helpful and pleasant too, as are all the staff at Dawood and Tanner. I highly recommend Fiona and this practice for superb treatment and service.Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I’ve recently started Invisalign treatment with Dr Chloé Rolland, and I’ve been really impressed and happy with the experience so far. She’s incredibly thorough and knowledgeable, always taking the time to explain what she’s doing, answer all my questions, and walk me through each step of the process in terms I can easily understand. She’s friendly, calm and professional, which puts me at ease and makes appointments feel relaxed. I would definitely recommend her to anyone considering orthodontic treatment. I’m looking forward to seeing the results!Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Exceptionally professional and friendly team. Superb premises which is spotlessly clean. Great services & totally up to date equipment and methods. You get wgat you pay for & your teeth will thank you for it 😬Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had my teeth extracted, temporary bridge fitted, implants fitted and temporary crowns fitted by this wonderful team. I was very scared of the whole process, but it went so smoothly. At no time did I experience any pain nor discomfort. The surgeries went so smoothly that I didn't even have to take painkillers the days after any of the surgeries. The team was thoughtful, attentive, respectful and considerate. I felt very taken care of. Genuinely good people, who happen to be fantastic at their job. I'm so glad that I went with this amazing team as I was worried having to get implants. But thankfully due to the great work of Dr Dawood and his incredible dental nurse Hannah I never had any problems, any discomfort, any worry that something could go wrong. I can highly recommend Dawood and Tanner. They are absolutely fantastic.Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I have been going to Darwood and Tanner for 25 years. Jan is my regular dentist and he saved me so much money as everything he does to my teeth lasts years, he work is excellent.Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I have been to see my (reasonably priced) dentist on Wimpole Street, new teeth fitted, they look splendid, feel great and worth every penny. I am eternally grateful to Dr Dawood, Dr Tanner and their wonderful team of professionals. Simply the Best in the World. 👍👍👍Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. After two unsuccessful root canal treatments on the same tooth, I made an initial appointment with Professor Patel. Following this appointment I decided to undergo a third treatment. Although the treatment is still only recent, I can feel that the tooth is more secure and that the infection and pain I had are dissipating. I feel confident that the tooth will only improve over time. Mr Petal and his dental assistant were both professional and reassuring, and took every effort to the whole procedure as comfortable and pain free as possible. I would have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending Mr Petal for any similar dental treatment.Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Been to get my teeth checked again by Fiona and as ever, I get a thoughtful and friendly description of what needs to be done and why. I cannot fault the reception I always get, the best of treatment!Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Outstanding care from very friendly professional people. An absolute privilege to be able to use their first class services. Andrew Darwood and the rest of the team have transformed my teeth with their brilliant implants.Posted on