If general anesthesia is going to be used, the patient may require a complete physical examination prior to the procedure. This ensures that the patient does not have a condition that could interfere with or be affected by the anesthesia.

Patients who are going to receive any form of anesthesia are urged to inform their dentist or other physician about any medications they are taking, including herbal supplements, because these can sometimes interact adversely with the anesthetic. Patients are also urged to be forthcoming about any illegal drugs they are taking, because certain drugs can cause potentially fatal reactions when taken with anesthesia.

Disclosing certain medical conditions also is important prior to the procedure. For example, some drugs used in general anesthesia can induce a condition called malignant hyperthermia. This is an inherited disease that causes muscular rigidity, high fever and metabolic changes. Patients with a family history of this disease should disclose the fact to their dentist or physician.

On the day of the procedure, patients are urged to follow their physician’s preparatory instructions. For example, patients receiving general anesthesia usually are asked to stop eating and drinking for a specified period of time (often overnight) prior to the procedure. This is done to clear the stomach. If the stomach is not clear, food can be aspirated into the lungs, resulting in serious complications.