When You Arrive
Come in at the time we give you, with your driver. At check-in, our front desk team confirms your details and goes over any last paperwork with you.
Next, you'll meet the team who will care for you, including your nurse, the anesthesia team and your doctor. They'll check your health history, ask when you last ate or drank, and answer any questions you have.
If the patient is under 18, a parent or legal guardian signs the consent forms at this point. They stay at the center the whole time.
Being Put to Sleep or Sedated
When it's time, our anesthesia team puts you or your child to sleep, or sedates you. They watch you the whole time, until you wake up.
How long does dental surgery take? It depends on what you need. Your doctor will give you a better idea before your surgery day.
Curious about the kinds of anesthesia we use?Read About Anesthesia Options
For parents:How Anesthesia Is Kept Safe for Kids
Waking Up and Going Home
When the doctor finishes, you'll wake up in our recovery area, where a nurse keeps watch over you. If your child had treatment, you'll join them as they wake up.What Recovery Looks Like →
Most patients go home the same day, once our team clears you. Before you leave, we give you and your driver take-home instructions, and we go over them with you.
Your driver takes it from here.Who Comes With You →
Common Questions
How long will we be at the center?
Your doctor’s office will tell you how long to plan for, including check-in and recovery time.
What happens on surgery day?
You check in with your driver, and our front desk team goes over any last paperwork. You meet your nurse, the anesthesia team and your doctor. Then our anesthesia team puts you or your child to sleep, or sedates you, and watches you the whole time. You wake up in our recovery area, where a nurse keeps watch over you. Most patients go home the same day, once our team clears you.
Who needs to come with me?
If the patient is under 18, a parent or legal guardian must come and stay the whole time. Every patient needs a responsible adult to drive them home and stay with them for 24 hours.For more details, see:Preparing for Surgery →
Is general anesthesia safe for children?
Our anesthesia team watches your child's breathing, heart rate and oxygen from start to finish and stays with them until they wake up.For more details, see:Is General Anesthesia Safe for Children's Dental Work?
What's the difference between general anesthesia, IV sedation and nitrous?
General anesthesia puts you fully to sleep. IV sedation makes you very relaxed and drowsy. Nitrous, or laughing gas, helps you relax while you stay awake.For more details, see:General Anesthesia vs IV Sedation vs Nitrous
