Pre-Surgical Instructions
Medications
If your physician requests that you take premedication prior to dental appointments, take it with water prior to a surgical procedure. Please discuss any questions you may have in this regard with Dr. Colón, Dr. Guzmán and Dr. Zellner prior to the surgical appointment date.
Take any prescription medications as you would normally unless otherwise instructed. Make sure you understand how to take your normal prescription medications the day of surgery (Examples: Blood pressure medication). In most instances we want you to take your normal morning medications with some water, even if you are going to be sedated. In other instanced we need to coordinate with you and possibly your physician on how to adjust meds (Examples: Coumadin, Insulin). The answer to your questions could vary depending on the type of procedure you are having.
Attire
For a sedation procedure you will need access to your arm for an IV site. All patients are monitored with blood pressure and other monitoring during surgical care. Comfortable attire makes this monitoring easier for you. For all procedures, comfortable attire should be worn. If you are to be sedated, please read our instructions titled Before Anesthesia.
After Surgery
Following any type of surgery, some discomfort is to be expected. Please plan on resting the remainder of the day of surgery and the following day or two. Plan light schedule for 4-5 days following surgery (this is always necessary but should be planned). As always, please review your specific post-operative instructions (Dental Implant, Soft tissue graft, Periodontal Surgery) so you can ask any questions your scheduled surgery date.
Before Intravenous Anesthesia
- Do not eat or drink anything by mouth 6 hours prior to surgery unless otherwise indicated. If you require a special diet (i.e. Diabetes, hypoglycemia), let us know.
- An adult must accompany you to the office and be available to drive you home. We have a beeper for your escort and will contact him/her when you are ready. Your escort may relax in the reception area, if preferred.
- Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing with short sleeves.
- Contact lenses, jewelry and dentures must be removed at the time of surgery.
- Do not wear lipstick, excessive makeup or nail polish on the day of surgery.
- Be sure to use the restroom shortly before the sedation.
- If you develop a cold or a physical illness before your appointment, be sure to call and ask if it is desirable for you to postpone your visit.
- If you must postpone your visit, please do so as far in advance as possible.
- If you take routine oral medications, please check with Drs. Colón, Guzmán and Zellner prior to your surgical date for instructions. We want to help you with which of your routine medications to take prior to surgery.
After the sedation, you are likely to be somewhat tired therefore:
- Do not operate machinery of any kind and do not drive an automobile for 24 hours following the anesthesia experience.
- Do not use alcoholic beverages for 24 hours
- Occasionally, patients receiving intravenous sedation experience postoperative tenderness, and/or redness in their hand or arm (phlebitis associated with intravenous infusion). If this occurs, please call us.
- Plan to rest, preferably at home, for the remainder of the day.
- Your judgment may be impaired until the medicine wears off. If you experience any difficulty, please call us at .