INTRAVENOUS SEDATION/GENERAL ANESTHESIA INSTRUCTIONS:

Anesthetic choices are based upon personal preferences, surgical indication, and presence of various medical conditions. Consultation is always recommended to help determine the correct anesthetic choice for your procedure.

There are various anesthetic choices you can make with regard to your oral surgical care. The following list is what is currently available:

Local anesthesia -This is still the most common form of anesthesia used in our office. Generally a topical anesthetic gel is applied to the gum, and Novacaine like medication can then be placed into the gum tissue, allowing for pain-free minor oral surgical procedures.

Nitrous oxide (Sweet air) - Nitrous oxide and oxygen mixture is a gaseous analgesia which also causes relaxation during oral surgical procedures. However, it is used in conjunction with local anesthesia to insure a pain-free experience.

General anesthesia or intravenous sedation - These procedures cause various degrees of sedation, amnesia, or sleep for the procedure. For these procedures, there are special requirements, listed below: 

The following are instructions which must be followed prior to having oral surgical procedures performed under sedation or anesthesia:

1. Do not eat or drink anything, including water, eight hours prior to appointment. If your
appointment is the first thing in the morning, do not eat or drink anything past midnight.
_{*Any medications which must be taken (blood pressure, antibiotic, premed, etc.) can be done with a small sip of water}
 

2. All patients with a history of asthma must bring their inhaler to the appointment.
 

3. An adult driver must accompany you and drive you home after the procedure.
 

4. Notify the doctor if you have a cold, sore throat, or other illness prior to procedure.
 

5. Prior to the procedure, remove dentures, contact lenses and nail polish.
 

6. Wear comfortable clothes, loose arm sleeves or short sleeves with flat shoes.
 

7. After the procedure, you should not drive or operate machinery until the following day.
 

8. The day of surgery, someone should be with you at home to assist you and to help prevent falls.
 

9. All cell phones are to be turned off in the operatory as they can affect monitoring equipment.