Preparing for Your Procedure
These instructions apply to patients receiving local anesthesia or nitrous oxide. Your preparation is straightforward — here is everything you need to know before you arrive.
- Pick up any prescriptions early. If we've sent pre-operative or post-operative medications to your pharmacy, fill them now — not on the day of your procedure.
- Stock your kitchen with soft foods and recovery supplies. Even without sedation, you'll want soft, easy foods on hand for the first day or two. See the full shopping list →
- Plan to arrive 5–10 minutes early so you have time to settle in before your procedure.
- Eat a light meal beforehand. Nothing too heavy — a normal breakfast or light lunch is fine. An empty stomach isn't necessary for local anesthesia or nitrous.
- Take your regular daily medications as usual, unless your physician or Dr. Cappetta has specifically told you to hold them.
- Wear comfortable clothing. No special requirements — just whatever you're comfortable in.
- Brush your teeth before you arrive.
- Leave valuables at home — but feel free to bring headphones and your favorite playlist to tune us out.
- Do not consume alcohol or recreational drugs before your appointment. These interact unpredictably with local anesthetic and nitrous oxide.
Do NOT stop these medications on your own. We coordinate directly with your prescribing physician to determine the safest plan. Please confirm with our office before your appointment. 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 not listed above, please mention it when you call.
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)
Cough, cold, fever, sore throat, or any new health change in the days before your procedure can affect your care. Please call us as soon as symptoms appear — even the morning of your appointment. We would much rather reschedule than have you sit through a procedure while you're not feeling well.
These instructions apply to patients receiving local anesthesia or nitrous oxide only. If your anesthesia plan has changed, please call our office. Always follow any additional verbal or written instructions provided directly by Dr. Cappetta.