PreOperative Instructions

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IV Sedation

Do NOT eat or drink six hours prior to surgery; this includes water  (unless taking antibiotics, cardiac or blood pressure medications).

It is required that you bring a responsible adult with you who will not only be driving you home, but they are also prepared to take care of you the day of surgery. At least one parent or guardian must be with a child or minor under 18 years of age.

Get a good nights sleep before your surgery.

You should wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing with short sleeves. Do not wear a tight collar or necktie. False eyelashes or contact lenses should not be worn. The medications will be given through an IV in your arm and local anesthesia will also be given.  If possible, remove nail polish.

Good oral hygiene is essential for proper healing. Brush and floss your teeth prior to your surgery. Use the prescription mouthwash, if prescribed, the morning of your surgery.

The profound effects of the sedation will wear off within 30-45 minutes following the surgery, after which you will be discharged from the office. However, you should plan to go home and rest quietly for the remainder of the day because of the residual effects of the medicine.

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Antibiotics

If your doctor has prescribed antibiotics for you, please take them according to the instructions on the bottle. On the day of your surgery, you should continue to take your antibiotics as scheduled. For those patients who are not eating or drinking for sedation purposes, you should take your medicine with only a small sip of water.

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Prescription Mouth Rinse

If you have been prescribed a mouth rinse prior to surgery, you should begin to use it 2-5 days prior to surgery. Rinse for 30 seconds, and then spit out 2 times a day after breakfast and before bed. Ideally, you should brush your teeth prior to using the rinse.

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Cardiac and Blood Pressure Medications

Please take all cardiac and blood pressure medications as regularly scheduled the morning of your surgery. If being sedated, take the medications with a small sip of water.

Please take all of your routine medications the morning of surgery unless told otherwise.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call our office.

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Pain Medication

Often times, if your medical history allows, your doctor will recommend taking ibuprofen in addition to a prescription pain medication (patients with certain gastrointestinal conditions, cardiovascular conditions, pregnancy, asthma, kidney disease, and patients taking other prescription medications are advised to discuss this with your surgeon).

Ibuprofen works not only as an additional pain medication but also helps control post-operative swelling.

On the day of your surgery, you may take 2-3 ibuprofen pills (400-600mg) prior to coming to the office. If you are being sedated, you should take the medication with only enough water (a small sip) to swallow the pills. Having the medication before your operation can significantly reduce both post-operative pain and swelling.

After surgery, you should continue to take 400-600mg every six hours for the first 24-48 hours. This should be taken with liquids or food to prevent stomach irritation. If you continue to experience pain while taking the ibuprofen you may then take your prescription pain medication in between doses of the ibuprofen. The ibuprofen and prescription pain medication should only be taken every six hours.  Do not exceed 2400mg of ibuprofen in a 24 hour period.

More post-operative instructions will be given on the day of the surgery.

Proper care following oral surgical procedures will improve recovery and prevent complications. If any unsual symptoms or complications occur, please call our office at once, .

Download the PDF version of our Pre-Operative Instructions here.