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Sedation Dentistry · Primrose Hill, NW1

General Anaesthesia for Complex Dental Procedures in London

Under general anaesthesia you are fully unconscious for the whole procedure. It is a hospital pathway, not something we do in the practice chair: we plan the dental treatment and refer you to a hospital, where an anaesthetic team delivers the anaesthetic. We recommend it only for patients who cannot be treated under conscious sedation.

How long the procedure and recovery take depends on the clinical complexity of your case. We work this out at a consultation where we review your medical history.

Led by Dr Ope Sodeinde.

Suitability and timescales

Dr Ope Sodeinde reviewing completed treatment with a patient

When conscious sedation is not enough

Most anxious patients are treated well with the conscious sedation options in our sedation dentistry in London range. A small number cannot be, because of the depth of their fear, a medical condition, or the extent of the surgery. For them, general anaesthesia in hospital is the safe route.

Specialist planning for complex cases

We assess your clinical needs before recommending any method, so nobody is referred for a general anaesthetic who could be treated more simply. Where a tiered approach might work instead, we discuss combination sedation.

Costs differ for a hospital pathway, and we itemise them before anything begins. See sedation dentistry costs in London. Dr Sodeinde oversees the dental treatment plan.

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Who general anaesthesia suits

General anaesthesia suits patients with a total loss of control or an intense fear of dental treatment, and some complex surgical cases such as sedation for wisdom teeth removal. A responsible adult must take you home from the hospital and stay with you. Recovery steps are in our sedation aftercare guide. Because medical needs vary, Dr Sodeinde confirms suitability at a consultation.

How the hospital pathway works

Assessment at the practice

We review your medical history, examine you, and plan the dental treatment you need.

Choosing the level of sedation

Not every patient needs to be unconscious. For deep relaxation without full sleep we provide IV sedation, and for long surgical sessions there is sedation for implant surgery. General anaesthesia is recommended only when those are unsuitable.

Referral and pre-assessment

If general anaesthesia is the right route, we refer you to a hospital. The hospital's anaesthetic team carries out its own pre-assessment before the day.

The procedure

The anaesthetic is delivered and monitored by the hospital anaesthetic team while the dental treatment is carried out.

Recovery

You wake in the hospital recovery area and are discharged to your escort once you are fit to leave. We follow up your dental recovery at the practice.

Clinical safety and protocols for general anaesthesia

Every case begins with a complete consultation, a pre-assessment and a medical history review at the practice. The dental plan is overseen by Dr Ope Sodeinde, GDC-registered specialist periodontist (GDC No. 104071), who leads the practice. The anaesthetic itself is administered and monitored in hospital by the anaesthetic team there.

You must arrange for someone to accompany you home, and you must not drive or operate machinery for at least 24 hours afterwards.

Who carries out your treatment

Your specialist

Dr Ope Sodeinde, Specialist in Periodontics

Dr Ope Sodeinde

GDC-registered specialist periodontistGDC No. 104071

Profile and qualifications

Patient evidence

Patient experiences with sedation

We work at an unhurried pace and explain the options honestly. For younger patients we provide nitrous oxide sedation for children.

Recently had a tooth extracted and I was feeling anxious, but the staff was super calming and the procedure was quick and painless.

Common questions about general anaesthesia

How much does it cost?

We confirm the fee at your consultation, once we know the treatment involved and the hospital arrangements, and give you an itemised quote.

How long does it take?

It depends on the complexity of the dental work. We give you a timeframe once the plan is set.

Is the procedure painful?

You are unconscious throughout. If you would prefer a lighter option, oral sedation is available for moderate anxiety.

How long do the effects last?

General anaesthesia is temporary and wears off after the procedure. It has no lasting clinical result of its own; it is a way of completing the dental work.

Your sedation assessment

We confirm whether general anaesthesia is the right route at a consultation that covers your medical history and the procedure planned. Read what happens at your sedation consultation and how to book.

020 7589 7792

Other sedation options

IV sedation, oral sedation, nitrous oxide for children and combination sedation are covered on their own pages, linked above.

You will receive a written plan and an itemised quote that is yours to keep and use at any other practice. Arrange your assessment with Dr Sodeinde to find out whether this is the right option for you.

020 7589 7792

Patient reviews

What our patients say

Real, verified Google reviews from patients of London Dental Specialists.

“Recently had a tooth extracted and I was feeling anxious, but the staff was super calming and the procedure was quick and painless.”

Megan Kennedy · Google review

“Dr Ope and his team really helped to put me at ease and there was no pain at all in the procedure.”

Kirsty L · Google review

“Ope was incredibly skilled and made me feel at ease from the moment I arrived.”

Halima Diallo · Google review

“Even from my very first consultations Ope made me feel at ease and confident in his treatment plans and execution.”

Rory Hinde · Google review

“The hygienist also wanted to make me feel reassured and confident and I left much less anxious.”

Fran · Google review

“Also before by extraction, I had a hygienist appointment with Florentina who made me feel at ease and comfortable throughout, she also explained proper teeth hygiene techniques to help prevent plaque and gum disease which I will be carrying on from now on.”

Tinu O · Google review

“Ope, a specialist in Periodontics, reassured me and explained the entire process thoroughly.”

J J · Google review

“Florentina is clearly passionate (and extremely knowledgeable) about dental care and answered my numerous questions with calm professionalism.”

Juliet Ellis · Google review

“By the end, my mother felt much more comfortable with Ope, something she never felt before with dental professionals.”

Sophie O · Google review

“Ope and his team are always very professional and reassuring.”

Jill Bowden · Google review

“I am normally anxious about dental work but Dr Patel made me feel very comfortable; she kept me updated throughout and reassured me.”

Abigail Grace · Google review

“Ope is kind, warm, and reassuring, while also being immensely professional & down-to-business.”

Hesse K · Google review

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NW1

Where we are

111 Regent's Park Road, Primrose Hill, London NW1 8UR

Tel

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020 7589 7792

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