What to expect
General Anesthesia
By the team at Desert Valley Oral Surgery, Gilbert. October 27, 2026.
General anesthesia at Desert Valley Oral Surgery is given through an IV in your arm, and you’re asleep for the whole procedure. You can’t eat or drink anything after midnight the night before, not even water. You can’t drive for about 24 hours afterward, so a driver has to come with you, wait in our office and take you home.
There are three main choices for anesthesia: local anesthesia, nitrous oxide and general anesthesia. Your oral surgeon recommends one based on your procedure and how comfortable you are.
Anesthesia at our offices, at a glance
| Options | Local anesthesia, nitrous oxide, general anesthesia |
| How general anesthesia is given | Through an IV in the arm |
| What our surgical team monitors | Medication, breathing, heart rate and blood pressure |
| Food and drink | Nothing after midnight before surgery, including water. Gum and mints aren’t advised |
| Driver | Required. Arrives with you and stays in the waiting area |
| Patients under 18 | A legal guardian comes, stays in the office and takes you home |
| Driving afterward | Not permitted. The medicine takes about 24 hours to clear |
| Offices | Gilbert and Queen Creek |
Source: Desert Valley Oral Surgery pre-operative instructions.
For Patients Receiving General Anesthesia
- NO Food or Drinks
Don’t eat or drink anything after midnight before surgery, not even water. Gum and mints aren’t advised either.
- 18 and Under
If you’re under 18, a legal guardian has to come with you on the day of surgery. That person stays in the office during the procedure and takes you home afterward.
- Your Driver
Your driver arrives with you and waits in our waiting area until your procedure is finished.
- Clothing Requirements
Wear loose clothing with sleeves you can roll up past the elbow, and comfortable walking shoes. Tennis shoes are recommended. Skip open-toed shoes.
- NO Contact Lenses
Take out your contact lenses before surgery. It’s easiest to leave them at home.
- Beauty Products
No lipstick, makeup, heavy cologne or perfume, or nail polish on the day of surgery.
- Medications
Take any pre-medications we prescribed for you.
- Valuables
Leave valuables at home. Cell phones aren’t allowed in the surgical suite, so hand yours to your driver before you come back.
What to expect.
Local Anesthesia
Local anesthesia is an injection at the treatment site. We put a topical anesthetic on first to numb the area before the injection. You stay awake, and you may feel some pressure and movement.
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide, often called laughing gas, is the lightest form of sedation. You breathe it through a mask over your nose. It’s short-acting and leaves your body within minutes of being turned off, so you can leave our office without an escort. Effects vary. Most patients tell us it “just takes the edge off.”
General Anesthesia
General anesthesia goes in through an IV in your arm. You’re asleep for the whole surgery, and our surgical team monitors your medication, breathing, heart rate and blood pressure the entire time. The medicine takes about 24 hours to fully leave your body, so you won’t be allowed to drive afterward. Your driver comes with you and waits in our office until surgery is finished.
Getting home after surgery
You won’t be driving. Plan your ride before you book, because your driver has to come in with you and stay until you’re done.
Our surgical instructions page has the post-op steps. If you’re having wisdom teeth removal or dental implant surgery, those pages explain the procedure itself. We’d rather you call with a question about the list than guess on surgery morning.
Questions from patients before surgery day
I'm being put to sleep for surgery tomorrow morning. Can I drink water when I wake up?
No. Desert Valley Oral Surgery asks that you have nothing to eat or drink after midnight before surgery, and that includes water. Gum and mints aren’t advised either. If you take a medication we prescribed before surgery, follow the instructions that came with it. If you’re unsure whether something counts, call the Gilbert office before you take it.
My 16-year-old is getting wisdom teeth out in Gilbert. Do I have to stay the whole time?
Yes. Patients under 18 must come with a legal guardian, and that person stays in our office for the whole procedure. You’ll also take your teen home afterward. Your teen won’t be able to drive for about 24 hours after being put to sleep, so the guardian and the driver are often the same person.
If I only get laughing gas, can I drive myself home?
At our office, yes. Nitrous oxide leaves your body within minutes of being turned off, and Desert Valley Oral Surgery lets nitrous patients leave without an escort. It’s the lightest form of sedation, so you’ll be awake during the procedure. Going to sleep is different. You need a driver who arrives with you and waits.
What should I wear on surgery day if I'm going under?
Loose clothing with sleeves that roll up past your elbow, so the team can place the IV in your arm. Wear comfortable walking shoes, with tennis shoes recommended over open-toed shoes. Leave contact lenses, makeup, lipstick, nail polish and heavy perfume or cologne off for the day. Valuables and phones stay home or with your driver.
How long after general anesthesia for oral surgery can I drive?
About 24 hours. That’s how long the medicine takes to fully leave your system, which is why Desert Valley Oral Surgery won’t let you drive yourself home. Your driver needs to come with you to the appointment and wait in the office until surgery is finished. Book them for the full morning in Gilbert or Queen Creek.
Desert Valley Oral Surgery
Desert Valley Oral Surgery has two offices, in Gilbert and Queen Creek. Dr. Donovan Hansen, DDS, and Dr. Eric Grant, DMD, are the practice’s oral surgeons.
Desert Valley Oral Surgery
2915 E Baseline Rd, STE 106, Gilbert, AZ 85234
(480) 539-6420
To book a consultation, call the Gilbert office or use our contact page. Queen Creek patients can find that office on our Queen Creek oral surgery page.
Welcome to Desert Valley Oral Surgery
At Desert Valley Oral Surgery, we know how to help you. Our board-certified surgeons and expert staff can provide the care you need to relieve the discomfort you feel.
