Pre-Operative Care

Before your Surgery

If you chose to have Oral or intravenous sedation, do not have anything to eat or drink, including water, for 4 to 6 hours before surgery. If you take medications regularly, you should take them with small sips of water at the regular time. Also, any additional medications which might be prescribed to you by our office should be taken with small sips of water as directed.

Wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing with short sleeves and baggy pants. Avoid boots or high shoes.

If you have Oral or intravenous sedation, a responsible person must accompany you, remain in the reception area, and take you home. We ask that your escort accompany you to the office so that we can let him/her know when you will be ready to leave the office and give them appropriate instructions.

  • Do not wear jewelry, including any facial piercings, makeup, including nail polish or eye cosmetics.
  • Please tie long hair back.
  • If you wear contact lenses, please remove them prior to your appointment.
  • Wear loose clothing, short sleeves and low shoes.
  • No smoking the morning of surgery.
  • Your mouth and teeth should be well cleansed to help avoid infection.
  • Do not ignore a head or chest cold when oral surgery is to be performed. Please call the office if you have any symptoms, as an appointment change may be necessary.
  • If you are going to have local anesthesia (numbing shot) only, you may eat prior to your appointment and do not need somebody to accompany you to the office.

Instructions for Anesthesia

Together, you and your dentist will discuss the dental procedure to be completed, as well as the type of anesthesia you will receive. The different types of anesthesia require different pre-operative instructions. If you have any questions regarding these choices, you should contact Dr.Sam prior to surgery.

Local and/or Nitrous Oxide

Little or no special preparation for either of these types of anesthesia is required other than a current medical history.

Oral Pre-medication

  1. You must take the medication 45 minutes prior to your appointment.
  2. You must not drive for 12 hours following taking this medication.
  3. You must have someone drive you both to and from your appointment.
  4. You must sign your Consent Form and give us an updated Medical History prior to taking this medication.

Intravenous “I.V.” Sedation

  1. To reduce the chances of nausea, do not eat or drink anything (including water) for at least six hours prior to your appointment.
    • If your surgery is in the morning, do not eat or drink anything between bedtime and your scheduled appointment.
    • If your surgery is in the afternoon, a light breakfast before 7:00 a.m. is encouraged.
    • Unless specified by Dr. Sam, all medicines taken on a routine basis should be continued without interruption. Please take your normal medications with a minimal amount of water.
    • A responsible adult, over 18 years of age, should accompany you to the office and remain with you throughout the entire procedure. Following the sedation, this responsible adult should remain with you for the next 24 hours.
    • Minors (persons under the age of 18 years) must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
  2. If receiving intravenous “I.V.” sedation, you should wear clothing which is not restricting to the neck or arms. You should wear loose-fitting tops on which the sleeves can be rolled up to the shoulder.
  3. Contact lenses must be removed prior to sedation.
  4. Following the sedation, you should refrain from driving an automobile or from engaging in any activity that requires alertness for the next 24 hours.