Pre-Operative Instructions for Conscious Sedation (Adults)

The first step is to visit our dental office 1 hour before your appointment time with your UNOPENED prescription bag. We will administer the medication at our dental office once you’ve arrived. Unfortunately, if you’re late, or do not have an attendant, we will need to reschedule your appointment. Follow these instructions to ensure the success of your visit:

• Don’t eat or drink anything 6 hours prior to your dental procedure.
• Take any medications you normally would with a small sip of water unless we tell you otherwise.
• Tell us beforehand if you take any medications for pain.
• Wear loose and comfortable clothing.
• Make sure you have a responsible adult to drive you to and from our dental office. They must be able to drive and we recommend they stay in our dental office during your entire treatment. If they leave, they will need to provide a phone number where they can be reached.
• If you have contacts, don’t wear them on the day of the procedure.
• Contact us right away if you develop a severe cold, sore throat, or sinus infection with drainage. We will not be able to administer anesthetic with these issues, which is why we will reschedule your visit.
• Do not wear any earrings, makeup, or jewelry (including body jewelry) and remove fingernail polish.
• For women, it’s important to know that some antibiotics can reduce the effectiveness of birth control medication, which is why you should use an alternative form of contraception.
• Please give us 48 hours’ notice if you need to make a cancelation.
• We will expect payment on the day of your dental procedure, which should be completed before your treatment.

Post-Operative Instructions for Oral Conscious Sedation (Adults)

For your safety, please closely follow these instructions for aftercare:

• Avoid driving for 24 hours.
• Don’t operate any hazardous devices for 24 hours.
• Make sure you have a responsible adult with you during the entire time that you recover from sedation.
• Avoid going up or down stair unattended.
• You can eat or drink whenever and whatever you’d like. In fact, you’ll need to eat even if you don’t want to.
• Drink plenty of fluids—patients who eat and drink a lot of fluids stay hydrated, allowing them to recuperate quicker, usually within 24 hours.
• You may feel alert when leaving our dental office, but it’s important for your caregiver to remain aware and ready to help whether you feel awake or sleepy—your caregiver shouldn’t rust you alone.
• Use your caregiver’s arm (they will help you) to walk at all times.
• Call us right away if you have any difficulties or questions during your recovery. If you experience symptoms that warrant a physician and you can’t reach us, go to the nearest emergency room immediately.
• Following most surgical procedures, you may experience pain, but this all depends on your threshold for discomfort.

Because of the medications used for sedation, the following regimen should be used on the day of your treatment:

• Take 2 acetaminophen followed by 2 Ibuprofen 3 hours later. Then, alternate these medications every 3 hours (Example: Tylenol, then Advil, then Tylenol, then Advil—every 3 hours).
• Taking these medications as instructed is just as strong as a narcotic because you still have the sedation medication in your system.
• Most patients don’t need additional pain medication, but if you think you do, don’t hesitate to contact our dental office. We can prescribe you the medication you need,
• Do not self medicate with any other drugs (licit or illicit, which includes alcohol). This could cause a potential overdose with serious consequences like death.
• If you have any questions about the medication, or your sedation interacting with medications you’re already taking, please call our dental office first, then your physician or pharmacist.
• Don’t hesitate to contact our dental office if any situations or side effects occur.