Pre-Operative Instructions

Inform Your Doctor of Any Health Concerns

If you have a significant medical issue, such as diabetes or heart disease, you should inform your dentist or surgeon in advance of your procedure. Some patients require antibiotics before undergoing surgery, such as those with artificial heart valves or a joint replacement.

Notify your dentist or surgeon of any changes to your health before your procedure.

You should also provide a list of any medications you take regularly, including blood thinners and insulin. Some medications can interfere with healing and your doctor may need to adjust your dosage prior to treatment. 

Notify your dentist or surgeon of any changes to your health before your procedure. Do not ignore seemingly minor issues, such as a head or chest cold. Your doctor may recommend changing your appointment until your symptoms pass.

For patients who are only receiving local anesthetic, the process of preparing for oral surgery is simple. You do not need to worry about eating beforehand or having a ride home. However, for sedation dentistry, there are additional directions to ensure a safe procedure.

Oral Conscious Sedation

If you opt for oral conscious sedation, your dentist or surgeon will likely provide you with a medication to take before your procedure. Be sure to take the medication at the prescribed time with a small amount of water. In some cases, your doctor may recommend you avoid eating for a set amount of time before the appointment. 

You should arrange for someone to take you to and from your appointment. They may need to stay with you for a few hours after you return home and help you with some basic tasks. 

Carefully following all direction from your doctor can help ensure a successful dental procedure and an easy recovery process.

IV Sedation

Do not eat or drink anything, including water, for at least six hours before your surgery appointment. If you need to take medications, drink no more than half a glass of water. 

You will need someone to drive you to and from your appointment. It may take up to 24 hours for the anesthesia administered during IV sedation to fade from your system entirely, so the individual who brings you to your appointment should expect to stay with you until the day after your procedure.