Anesthesia-For some, it is a terrifying thought. For oral surgeons, however, it is an essential part of the treatment plan for many procedures, either to put patients at ease or make the procedure more comfortable for all involved. Regardless of the emotional reaction or necessity, one thing is for certain: anesthesia is a safe and routine part of an oral surgery procedure, particularly when performed by someone trained in up-to-date best practices like Dr. Vladimir Polyakov.
Just knowing that anesthesia is safe and routine is not enough, however, as there are steps that should be taken and key factors that should be accounted for by the patient prior to any procedure in order to ensure a smooth, stress-free process with minimal risks of complications.
For a full, detailed checklist of what to do and keep in mind prior to having a procedure with anesthesia, please visit our “Before Anesthesia Page.” In the following blog, we will detail some of the reasons behind our recommendations and some tips for patients to ensure the best possible outcomes and a stress-free experience here at Synergy Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Center.
Understand Your Anesthesia Options
Before going into any procedure, understanding your options for anesthesia and which best suits your needs is essential both for patient comfort and peace of mind as well as a smooth procedure. At Synergy Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Center, we pride ourselves at providing comprehensive options for our patients including local anesthetic (think injections at the site of the procedure) and general anesthesia/IV sedation which allows patients to go into a sleep like state via medication given through an IV.1
Each type of anesthesia has its place in the oral surgery office, and patients are encouraged to discuss which option is best for their specific procedure or situation with the doctor during their consultation.
Why Fasting Before Anesthesia Matters
We have probably all heard the rule “nothing to eat or drink before surgery.” This rule applies to any situation where you are going to be put under general anesthesia or IV sedation, including oral surgery. Not only is it rude to eat before oral surgery (can you imagine the breath?!) but it can raise serious safety concerns.2.
First, one of most common complications to anesthesia is nausea and vomiting. By going into surgery on an empty stomach, you can significantly decrease the likelihood of vomiting after surgery, and this issue is far easier to manage preventatively than try to treat after it starts! Fasting prior to oral surgery helps set you up for success after the surgery is completed.
On a more serious note, eating prior to surgery can increase your risk of aspiration, or choking, from something coming up and getting stuck in your airway while you are asleep. While you are awake, if something were to become caught in your airway or regurgitated, you would be able to cough it up.2 However, during general anesthesia, because you are in a sleep like state, this is not possible and you risk significant long-term illness called aspiration pneumonia, or worse.2
To avoid any of these risks, simply follow our teams guidance with regard to fasting prior to you procedure. Our recommendations are backed by scientific evidence and best practices to ensure your safety and optimize your likelihood for a successful procedure.
Share Your Full Medical Story
A good anesthesia experience is about more than just what you do. What you say to your oral surgery team prior to the procedure can also influence not only your experience with anesthesia, but what type of anesthesia is used. Communicating your ENTIRE medical story, namely medications, supplements, allergies, and history of illnesses (current or past) can drastically influence the decision to utilize certain types of anesthetics or medications due to safety concerns
Make sure to tell the doctor during your consultation if you have had any reactions to anesthesia in the past.1,3 These reactions can vary from person to person as well as in severity from basic nausea, to hives, to more severe reactions like anaphylaxis.1 However, any reaction is important to discuss with your oral surgeon, no matter how small, in order to ensure a smooth and safe experience.1,3
In addition to your medical history, your social history can also influence how anesthesia will affect you during surgery. Make sure to tell your oral surgeon of any current drug use (yes even smoking), marijuana, or alcohol consumption.1,3 Alcohol and marijuana can affect the way your body responds to anesthetics, and smoking, beyond its negative affects on healing principles, can lead to decreased lung function and increase your risk of things like bronchospasm during your procedure leading to low oxygen levels.1,3
Don’t Go It Alone: Arrange Transportation
After your procedure, particularly following surgery with IV sedation or general anesthetic, you will be feeling a bit “loopy.” Because of this, our team will not allow you to drive home following your procedure due to safety concerns to both you and others on the road.
Now, this may go without saying. After all, you just underwent a surgical procedure and were in a sleep like state. But, did you know that according to the Cleveland Clinic, IV sedation can impare your ability to drive for up to 24 hours?4 Because of this, we ensure our patients have arranged transportation with a trusted adult (over the age of 18) that can be present during the surgery, assist in monitoring you after the surgery during immediate recovery, transport you to your place of recovery following your departure from the office, and monitor you for the first few hours after surgery. This not only will keep you safe and help identify any serious complications in the unlikely event they are to arise, but it will also help you take the steps to get on the fast track to a fast and complete recovery with your new smile.
Dress for Comfort and Safety
Believe it or not, what you wear to your procedure matters for a few reasons. Even if it is chilly outside, a snug fitting long sleeve shirt is not recommended. If you must wear a sweater, we recommend sleeves that can be easily rolled up past the elbows for easy IV access, particularly if you are going under IV sedation. Make sure you have removed your nail polish for easy monitoring of oxygen levels at your fingertips, and please refrain from wearing jewlery as it can get caught in instrumentation and cause a safety concern to you or others in the room.5
Listen to Your Body and Stay in Touch
Even after the most careful preparation, everyone still responds differently to anesthesia, and we certainly don’t want to make that worse by having you go under anesthesia when you are already feeling ill. If you are not feeling well, even if it is only a minor cold, we encourage you to call and let us know so we can discuss the situation and determine if it is still safe for you to come in or if we need to reschedule. Whether or not we decide to proceed with your procedure on that day is ultimately determined by the type of illness you have and the severity of that illness.6
For example, if you have a history of asthma and are currently under the weather with a respiratory based illness, the changes for complications from anesthesia will increase. Because of this, we may decide to delay your procedure until you are feeling better. Your safety and health is our priority, and open communication is everything!
Conclusion
A successful oral surgery procedure depends on a variety of factors, but, as the old saying goes, “if you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail.” We pride ourselves in helping give our patients the best chance for success with their procedures, and that starts with preparation! Following the guidelines provided by our office with regard to anesthesia will put you on a path to safety, success, and a smile to be proud of!
Anesthesia FAQ
Is anesthesia safe for oral surgery?
Yes, anesthesia is a safe and routine part of an oral surgery procedure, particularly when performed by someone trained in up-to-date best practices like Dr. Vladimir Polyakov.
How long before anesthesia should I stop eating?
Fasting prior to surgery is important for a variety of safety reasons. Consult with the surgeon and our team during your consultation for the exact amount of time you need to fast prior to your procedure.
Can I take my regular medications before surgery?
Sharing your entire medical history is important prior to a surgical procedure involving anesthesia. Please let our team know what medications you are taking on a regular basis and we will let you know how to take these leading up to your procedure as some may interact with anesthesia options.
Do I need someone to drive me home?
If you are going to be going under IV sedation, you will need someone to drive you home as this will affect you for up to 24 hours. Consult with our office for your specific case.
What should I wear on the day of surgery?
Loose-fitting clothing, particularly with sleeves that can be easily rolled past the elbow, is preferred. Additionally, please refrain from any nail polish or wearing any jewelry to the office on the day of your procedure.
References
- Johns Hopkins Medicine. Types of Anesthesia and Your Anesthesiologist. Accessed September 9, 2025. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/types-of-anesthesia-and-your-anesthesiologist
- Verywell Health. Why You Can’t Eat or Drink Before Surgery. Accessed September 9, 2025. https://www.verywellhealth.com/why-cant-i-eat-or-drink-before-surgery-3157000
- Yale Medicine. MacMillan C. What to Tell Your Anesthesiologist Before Surgery. June 4, 2024. Accessed September 9, 2025. https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/what-to-tell-your-anesthesiologist-before-surgery
- Cleveland Clinic. Sedation Dentistry. Accessed September 9, 2025. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22275-sedation-dentistry
- Cleveland Clinic. Dos & Don’ts: Preparing for Surgery. Accessed September 9, 2025. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/-/scassets/files/org/patients-visitors/information/prepare-for-surgery/dos-and-donts.pdf
