Apex Oral Surgery · Pre-Operative Instructions

Preparing for I.V. Sedation

Your safety during sedation depends on the few simple rules below. Please read this page carefully — and reach out if anything is unclear before your surgery date.

⚠ The Two Non-Negotiables
1
Nothing to eat or drink for 12 hours before your surgery.
2
You must bring a responsible adult (18+) to drive you home and receive your aftercare instructions.
We cannot proceed with sedation if either of these conditions is not met.
1
24–48 Hours Before

Stock Up & Arrange Your Ride

  • Confirm your adult escort. A responsible adult over 18 must be physically present to drive you home and receive verbal aftercare instructions on your behalf. Rideshare services (Uber, Lyft, taxi) are not permitted.
  • Pick up your prescriptions early. If we've sent any pre-operative or post-operative medications to your pharmacy, fill them now so you're not making an extra stop on surgery day.
  • Shop for soft foods and recovery supplies. Yogurt, pudding, applesauce, soup, ice cream, protein shakes — plus gauze, an ice pack, alcohol-free Listerine, and a soft toddler-sized toothbrush. See the full shopping list →
  • Avoid alcohol, marijuana, and recreational drugs for at least 24 hours before your procedure. These interact unpredictably with sedation medications.
2
The Night Before

Eat, Hydrate, and Stop at Midnight

  • Eat a satisfying meal and hydrate well before the 12-hour fasting window begins. If your surgery is at 9:00 AM, your last food or drink must be by 9:00 PM the previous night.
  • Female patients (sedation): Take a home pregnancy test. Save a phone photo of the negative result and the package insert showing what a negative result looks like. We legally require either documentation or a signed waiver.
  • Lay out comfortable, loose-fitting clothing for the morning. Short sleeves or sleeves that roll up easily are essential — we need clear access to your arm for the IV.
  • Set an alarm and plan to arrive 5–10 minutes early to settle in.
3
The Morning of Surgery

Strict Fasting & Final Prep

  • NOTHING by mouth. No food, no water, no coffee, no gum, no mints, no candy. A small sip of water is permitted only to swallow scheduled medications or a pre-operative Xanax if prescribed.
  • Take your regular daily medications as usual — unless your physician or Dr. Cappetta has specifically told you to hold them. Use just enough water to swallow them.
  • Brush your teeth as normal, but be careful not to swallow water.
  • Remove contact lenses, jewelry, and nail polish from at least one finger. We use a fingertip sensor to monitor your oxygen during sedation; nail polish or acrylics can interfere with the reading.
  • Leave valuables at home — but feel free to bring headphones and your favorite playlist to tune us out.
  • Arrive with your escort — they will need to remain in the office during your procedure and recovery.

If You Take Blood Thinners or Aspirin

Do NOT stop these medications on your own. We coordinate directly with your prescribing physician to determine the safest plan — please confirm instructions with our office before your surgery date. Common blood thinners include:

  • Aspirin (including low-dose / baby aspirin, 81 mg)
  • Warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)
  • Clopidogrel (Plavix)
  • Apixaban (Eliquis)
  • Rivaroxaban (Xarelto)
  • Dabigatran (Pradaxa)
  • Edoxaban (Savaysa)
  • Ticagrelor (Brilinta)
  • Prasugrel (Effient)
  • Dipyridamole (Aggrenox, Persantine)
  • Heparin / Enoxaparin (Lovenox) — injectable blood thinners

If you take any medication for your heart, circulation, or clotting — even if it's not listed above — please mention it when you call.

If You Need Pre-Operative Antibiotics

Some medical histories require antibiotic prophylaxis before oral surgery. Please call our office at (973) 210-7076 if any of the following apply to you:

  • Heart valve replacement, cyanotic heart defect, or history of endocarditis or rheumatic fever (typically mandatory)
  • Bisphosphonate medications (Prolia, Boniva, Fosamax, Zometa, Actonel, Aredia)
  • Immunosuppressant therapy, current or recent chemotherapy, or certain blood cancers
  • Head or neck radiation history
  • Total joint replacement (no longer routinely required per the ADA — if your orthopedic surgeon feels strongly, they will need to prescribe the antibiotics themselves)

If You Are Diabetic

Fasting changes how your body responds to insulin and oral diabetes medications. Please call us before your surgery date at (973) 210-7076 so we can review your specific fasting and insulin plan together. Do not adjust your medications on your own.

If You Are Feeling Unwell

Cough, cold, fever, sore throat, congestion, or any new health change in the days before your procedure can affect the safety of sedation. Please call us as soon as symptoms appear — even the morning of surgery. We would much rather reschedule than compromise your safety.

Questions Before Surgery Day?

Call our office at (973) 210-7076. There are no silly questions — we'd rather answer ten of them now than have you worry about one tonight.

Full Pre-Surgery Guide Aftercare Instructions Contact Our Office

These instructions are specific to patients undergoing I.V. sedation. Always follow any additional verbal or written instructions provided directly by Dr. Cappetta.