Before Your
IV Sedation Appointment
Pre-Operative Instructions
IV sedation makes your dental treatment comfortable and stress-free. This document covers the preparation needed before your appointment — fasting, escort, medications, and what to bring on the day. Following these instructions ensures the appointment can go ahead as planned.
What IV Sedation Involves
IV sedation is administered through a small cannula in a vein, usually on the back of the hand or the arm. It produces a state of deep relaxation — most patients have little or no recollection of the procedure afterwards. You remain responsive throughout and can follow simple instructions, but you will feel calm and detached from what is happening.
At Innova Dental, IV sedation is administered and monitored by Dr. Onur Cavus, who holds RCDSO certification as a moderate IV sedation provider. Your heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation are continuously monitored throughout the procedure.
Sedation typically wears off over 30 to 60 minutes, but judgement, coordination, and memory can remain affected for the rest of the day. The instructions below exist to keep you safe and comfortable during this recovery window.
The Day Before Your Appointment
Confirm your escort
A responsible adult must accompany you to and from the appointment. Taxis, Uber, and public transit are not acceptable — you need an adult who can take responsibility for you, help you home, and stay with you afterwards.
Plan to rest
You will not be able to return to work, school, or drive after the appointment. Arrange the rest of your day for recovery at home. A responsible adult should stay with you for at least the first 4–6 hours after discharge.
No alcohol for 24 hours before
Alcohol interacts with sedation medications and increases risk. Do not drink any alcohol in the 24 hours before your appointment.
No recreational drugs
Recreational drugs — including cannabis in any form — interact unpredictably with sedation. Inform the clinic in advance if you use any. Your sedation may need to be rescheduled.
Fasting — What You Can and Cannot Have
Fasting before IV sedation is essential for your safety. An empty stomach reduces the risk of aspiration (stomach contents entering the airway) during sedation. Failure to fast correctly means your sedation will be cancelled.
8 hours before your appointment
No solid food of any kind. This includes milk, yogurt, smoothies, soup, chewing gum, and hard candy.
Up to 2 hours before your appointment
Clear liquids are permitted — water, apple juice, and black coffee (no milk, no cream, no sugar substitutes that cloud the liquid). Clear liquids are defined as those you can see through.
Within 2 hours of your appointment
Nothing by mouth — no food, no liquids of any kind.
Example — appointment at 10:00 AM
After 2:00 AM: nothing solid to eat (8 hours before)
Between 2:00 AM and 8:00 AM: clear liquids only — water, apple juice, or black coffee
After 8:00 AM: nothing by mouth (2 hours before)
Medications
Continue taking all of your regular medications as normal — prescription, over-the-counter, and supplements. No adjustment is required for sedation. Use a small amount of water (a permitted clear liquid) to take your medications up to 2 hours before your appointment.
Bring a complete list of all current medications to your appointment. Knowing exactly what you are taking allows us to select the appropriate sedation medications and dosing for you.
Prescription medications: take as usual on the day of your appointment.
Over-the-counter medications and supplements: continue as normal. Include these on your medication list.
Antibiotic prophylaxis (if prescribed for a heart condition, joint replacement, or other reason): take as directed before the appointment.
Herbal remedies: some interact with sedation medications — please disclose all herbal products you use.
If anything changes before the appointment
Contact the clinic if you develop any illness (cold, flu, respiratory infection, fever), start a new medication, or become pregnant between booking and the appointment. These may affect whether sedation can safely proceed on the day.
The Day of Your Appointment
What to wear
Wear loose, comfortable clothing with short sleeves or sleeves that can be easily rolled up for IV access and blood pressure monitoring. Avoid tight collars. Flat shoes are easier if you feel unsteady after the procedure.
What not to wear
Remove nail polish from at least one finger — the pulse oximeter needs to read through the nail. Avoid heavy makeup, particularly around the eyes and mouth. Remove contact lenses before the appointment and bring your glasses instead. Leave jewellery at home where possible.
What to bring
Your complete medication list. Your glasses if you wear contact lenses normally. Any paperwork provided at your consultation. Your escort — or confirmation that your escort is meeting you at the clinic.
Arrive on time
Arrive at your scheduled appointment time. Pre-sedation checks take 15–20 minutes before treatment begins — late arrival may mean the appointment cannot safely go ahead.
After the Appointment
Recovery from IV sedation is gradual. You will stay in a recovery area at the clinic until you are stable enough to be discharged into your escort's care. This typically takes 30 to 60 minutes.
For the rest of the day
Do not drive, operate machinery, or use tools for at least 24 hours
Do not sign important documents or make significant decisions
Do not drink alcohol for 24 hours
Do not be responsible for anyone else — this includes children and pets
Rest at home with your escort present for at least 4–6 hours
Eat lightly when you feel ready — start with something bland and easy to digest
Expect some grogginess and tiredness — this is normal and resolves within 24 hours
Any specific post-operative instructions for the dental procedure itself will be provided separately before you leave. Follow both sets of instructions — the sedation recovery guidance above and the procedure-specific post-op sheet.
When to Contact Us
Contact Innova Dental
If you have any questions before your appointment, develop any illness, or are unsure about any of the preparation instructions, contact the clinic.
In a Medical Emergency
For difficulty breathing, chest pain, severe confusion or unresponsiveness, or signs of a severe allergic reaction, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Innova Dental — Pre-Operative Instructions: IV SedationFor general guidance only. Follow the specific instructions given to you at your consultation. If in doubt, contact the clinic before your appointment.Website: innovadental.caEmail: smile@innovadental.ca