Before surgery
Pre-operative instructions
This general checklist applies to most oral-surgery procedures. The written instructions you receive from our office are specific to your procedure and comfort plan — read them first and follow them exactly.
DRAFT — clinical review required v0.1-draft Clinical director (unassigned)
Your written instructions come first
This page is general education. The written instructions and prescriptions your surgeon gives you are specific to your procedure and health, and they always take priority over anything on this website.
Your preparation checklist
Work through these in the days before surgery, using your written instructions for the specifics.
Arrange your escort if sedation is planned
If your plan includes sedation or anesthesia, a responsible adult will need to accompany you. Your written instructions confirm whether an escort is required for your procedure and what the arrangements should be.
Review your medications with the surgical team
Tell us about every prescription, over-the-counter medicine, and supplement you take. Whether to take, pause, or adjust anything before surgery is a decision your surgical team makes with you — follow the written directions you were given, and call us if anything about your medications changes.
Follow the eating and drinking rules in your written anesthesia instructions
If you are having sedation or anesthesia, there are strict rules about when to stop eating and drinking. These depend on your anesthesia plan, so follow the written directions you received — and call us before your appointment if you are unsure or if you did not follow them.
Dress for the procedure
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing with sleeves that roll up easily, and low-heeled shoes. Skip jewelry; your written instructions cover contact lenses, nail polish, and similar details for your anesthesia plan.
Arrive at the time you were given
Your arrival time allows for check-in and preparation. If you are running late or need to reschedule, call us as early as you can.
Call us if you get sick before surgery
A new fever, cold, cough, or other illness before surgery can change what is safe. Call our office before your appointment so your surgeon can decide whether to proceed or reschedule.
In the days before surgery
Most concerns fall into one of these three groups.
Usually expected
- Feeling nervous or having second thoughts — this is normal, and you can call to talk it through
- New questions about your written instructions after you get home
- Small scheduling or paperwork questions
Call our office if
- A new fever, cold, cough, or other illness before your surgery date
- Any change in your medications or health since your consultation
- You are unsure about the eating and drinking rules, or did not follow them
- Your escort is no longer available
- You need to reschedule
Call 911 or go to the ER if
- Severe difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Rapidly spreading facial swelling or high fever with facial swelling
- Serious facial trauma
Questions or urgent concerns
If anything about your preparation is unclear, call before your surgery day — not the morning of.
Call our office at 908-520-2694. After hours: for a life-threatening emergency, dial 911
Ready to talk through your plan?
Request a consultation and our team will follow up to schedule your visit.