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, but most patients remember little of the procedure afterwards, making even complex care feel easier.
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 the same world-class dentistry as our most complex implant and reconstructive cases.
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 your treatment is planned safely and comfortably, with a clear understanding of your health and needs.
During treatment
Calm, comfortable and closely monitored care
Throughout your procedure, you will be conscious yet deeply relaxed. Our anaesthetist will continuously monitor your breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate using hospital-standard equipment. You will feel calm and detached from the procedure, while still able to respond to your dentist if needed.
After treatment
Safe recovery before heading home
Most patients are ready to leave within about an hour of finishing treatment. If laboratory work such as crowns or bridges is prepared on the same day, you may stay longer. Before you leave, we ensure you are fully stable and comfortable. For your safety, a responsible adult must escort you home, ideally by car or taxi.
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, please do not eat or drink anything for six hours before your appointment. This precaution allows your anaesthetist to administer sedation safely and effectively.
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
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.
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.
Yes. For your safety, we ask you not to eat or drink for six hours before your appointment, unless your anaesthetist advises otherwise.
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.
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.Trustindex 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.Trustindex 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!Trustindex 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 😬Trustindex 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.Trustindex 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.Trustindex 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. 👍👍👍Trustindex 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.Trustindex 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!Trustindex 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.