Pre-Operative Instructions: Office Anesthesia and Sedation

Your oral surgery will be performed with intravenous medication. The medication that will be administered will allow you to undergo this treatment in a relaxed and comfortable state. Since office anesthesia does not produce as deep an anesthetic state as a hospital general anesthetic, you may later retain a vague memory of having had the treatment.

These recommendations must be followed:

• Please abstain from all food and drink for a period of 8 hours prior to your appointment. You may drink small amounts of water up to 4 hours before your appointment.
• Take all prescribed medications with a small amount (1 oz.) of water unless told otherwise by the doctor.
• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing with short sleeves.
• If you have contact lenses, please remove them at home and wear your glasses.
• Since you will be drowsy following treatment, for your own safety, you MUST be driven home by a responsible adult who will also be responsible for caring for you until the next morning. Amnesia (or forgetfulness) often lasts much longer than the sedation. Consequently, you are not to be left alone for 24 hours following surgery.
• Do NOT operate machinery of any kind, and do not drive an automobile until the next day. Do not make important personal or business decisions or sign legal documents for 24 hours. Do NOT drive an automobile if you are taking prescription pain medications.
• Do not use alcoholic beverages or nonprescription medications for 24 hours before and after your surgery.

Occasionally, patients receiving intravenous medications experience post-operative tenderness and/or redness in their hand or arm (phlebitis) associated with intravenous infusion. If this occurs, or you have any questions following treatment, please call us anytime at (860) 674-8079.