Patient Instructions
Getting Ready For & Recovering From Your Sedation Appointment
These instructions exist to keep you safe. Please read them carefully before your appointment and again once you’re home — and follow them exactly. If anything is unclear, call our office and we’ll walk you through it.
The three things that matter most
Fasting
Nothing to eat or drink for 8 hours before (12 hours for GLP‑1 patients). Clear fluids only, stopped 2 hours prior.
A ride home
You cannot drive yourself, and you cannot take the bus. A responsible adult must bring you home and stay with you.
Cancellations
Please give at least 1 week’s notice. Short-notice cancellations and no-shows are charged a $350 fee.
Before Your Appointment
Pre‑Sedation Instructions
For the safe treatment of our patients, the following pre-sedation instructions must be followed very carefully.
- Food & Drink
Nothing to eat or drink for 8 hours before your appointment, with the exception of clear fluids (water, apple juice, Gatorade, clear tea, or black coffee — no dairy). Clear fluids must stop 2 hours before your appointment.
GLP‑1 patients: nothing to eat or drink for 12 hours before your appointment.
Not following this will result in your appointment being cancelled, and a fee will apply for not complying.
- Medications
Discuss with your dentist/doctor whether you should stop any medications — prescription or non-prescription — you normally take daily. This especially includes blood thinners, ACE inhibitors, and GLP‑1 medications.
GLP‑1 patients: hold your shot for at least one week prior to your sedation date.
If directed by your dentist, prescription medication can be taken with a small sip of water the morning of your appointment.
- Clothing
Wear loose, casual, comfortable clothing. You must wear a short-sleeve t-shirt or tank top — no sports bras, dresses, or sweatshirts. We need to be able to apply your monitors.
Remove all jewelry, earrings, and watches. Nails must be free of polish, acrylic, or gel.
Do not wear contact lenses.
General anesthesia patients only: bring a change of clothes — accidents can happen under sedation. For longer appointments, we recommend an adult diaper/pull-up.
- Smoking & Alcohol
Refrain from smoking tobacco prior to your appointment.
Refrain from smoking and/or consuming any narcotic or recreational drug (including cannabis) for 48 hours — these interfere with the pain medication we give.
Refrain from drinking alcohol for 48 hours prior — alcohol thins your blood and could lead to complications.
We may not be able to safely sedate you if you have consumed alcohol, narcotics, or recreational drugs prior to your appointment.
- Transportation
Under no circumstances can you drive yourself to or from your sedation appointment.
A responsible adult must accompany you home and remain with you until the effects of the sedation have worn off.
You cannot take public transportation (bus) home – a rideshare is fine if accompanied by a responsible adult.
- Health Status
Please report any illnesses, medical conditions, allergies, or surgeries to your provider.
You must advise us of any medications you have taken within the last three weeks.
If your general health deteriorates, please call the office prior to the day of your appointment.
arrival
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment time.
Cancellations
Please provide a minimum of 1 week’s notice for any cancellation to avoid a $350 fee.
Post‑Sedation Instructions
It can take approximately 24 hours for the full effects of the sedation to wear off. During this period, it’s essential to follow these instructions.
- Discharge From the Office
- You must be discharged into the care of a responsible adult who will accompany you home.
- Arrangements must be made for a responsible adult to stay with you after the procedure until the effects of sedation have worn off.
- You must not walk by yourself — hold only your escort, and do not climb stairs or wander unattended.
- It’s common to have dry/cracked lips or a dry, sore throat following sedation. This will alleviate within a few days.
- It’s also common for a small bruise to appear at the IV site.
- Food & Drink
- Consume clear liquids as soon as you arrive home. Cold liquids are advised — hot liquids increase bleeding and delay healing.
- A soft diet is advised for the day of sedation (soup, pudding, jello, applesauce, mashed potatoes, soft pasta, cooked fish, etc). If teeth were extracted, avoid hard, chewy foods or foods with small seeds/grains.
- Do not drink alcohol for 48 hours after your appointment — alcohol thins your blood and increases bleeding.
- If teeth were extracted or implants placed, avoid smoking or using a straw for a minimum of 1 week post-procedure so blood clots can form and healing can occur.
- Medications
- Resume your normal medications as directed by your doctor/dentist after your appointment.
- For pain management, alternate between Ibuprofen (Advil) and Acetaminophen (Tylenol) every 4–6 hours post-procedure.
- Do not take any medications with sedative properties for the remainder of the day.
- Activity Restrictions
- Do not operate a motor vehicle, heavy/hazardous machinery, or power tools for 24 hours after your appointment.
- Do not undertake responsibilities, actions, or important decisions — including watching children and cooking.
- Do not sign any legal documents, including insurance claim forms, or make financial decisions for 24 hours after your appointment.
- If a Problem Comes Up
If you experience acute pain, heavy bleeding from the surgical site, respiratory problems, or any other post-operative concern, please call the office immediately. For after-hours emergencies, follow the instructions on the voicemail — our after-hours service will reach out to the correct contact to ensure your concern is addressed.
If you feel your symptoms warrant a physician and you’re unable to reach us, please seek medical attention at your local emergency department.
Please read
Sedation Policies
01
You must be fasted for your appointment. Failure to follow the pre-operative instructions will result in immediate cancellation, as your safety would be compromised, and will result in a rebooking fee.
02
Sedation days require a team of specialists. Any cancellation must be given 1 week prior to the treatment date to avoid a short-notice fee.
03
Short cancellations (less than 1 week) or no-show appointments will result in a fee of $350.
04
The time of your sedation appointment will be communicated once our anesthesia team has confirmed the schedule. Please note the time of your sedation may change and will be finalized 1–2 days before your appointment.