Dental Work Pre-Surgery

[Gypsy]

Hello

I am scheduled for AVR in the next three months and I have a couple of wisdom teeth that need removing. They aren't bothering me and I don't like pain so I've kind of just forgotten about them. I read, though, that I should have them removed before surgery. Does anyone know if that's correct and if so why?

Thanks
Lucy

 

[Ross]

Yes you need to have them removed if at all possible. I've never understood the reasoning behind it. Ask you Doctor for the explaination.

 

[pamela]

It's purely prophylactic dental surgery. Once you have a prosthetic or repaired heart valve you need to be concerned with the strep bacteria that can cause endocarditis. It exists in our mouths and upper respiratory tract so any procedure that creates a blood rich environment for growth of these bacteria needs to be taken care of pre-surgery since many dentists won't take risks with oral surgery on a OHS patient for at least six months post op. Plus, there's the added complication of your ACT still needing constant monitoring.

Have it done before there are added risks and before they become a problem. We modern humans don't really need our wisdom teeth and many of us (myself included) didn't even grow a full set of them.

Take Heart and happy flossing...
Pamela.

 

[ponygirlmom]

Hello

I am scheduled for AVR in the next three months and I have a couple of wisdom teeth that need removing. They aren't bothering me and I don't like pain so I've kind of just forgotten about them. I read, though, that I should have them removed before surgery. Does anyone know if that's correct and if so why?

Thanks
Lucy

The only reason to have them removed is if they are infected. If they are NOT infected then I will bet you any amount of money that your cardiologist will tell you to leave well enough alone. If they ARE infected (like one of mine was) then your cardio will tell you to have them removed. I had mine removed a few months before surgery, and I had a crown replaced because my dentist thought I might have some decay under the old one.

Your dentist may also recommend a "deep" (under the gum) cleaning before surgery. My cardio goes along with the dentists' recommendation for each individual patient. My dentist says that other cardios automatically order this; I guess they just assume that everyone has gum disease!

 

[Jkm7]

My surgeon (like most) required a note from my dentist that I had no infection in my mouth. That was one of the first things his office told me to be sure I got.

Prior to learning I needed a second OHS, I had scheduled my three month cleaning. I was post op about a month when I got the reminder card for that cleaning appointment. Something made me call to confirm it was okay for me to go and my surgeon's office said No. I was not to go the dentist for anything for six months post op. I did not recall anyone telling me that when I left the hospital so think I must have read it here. Good thing, as I would have gone for the appointment though I know I would have pre-medicated.

 

[Gypsy]

Thanks your replies. Mine aren't infected just impacted. It's sounding like I might get away with not having to have them pulled just yet - I'll check with my surgeon.

 

[Blanche]

My husband's wisdom teeth were in perfect shape when they were removed because of his upcoming valve surgery. Both his cardiologist and his surgeon recommended this procedure.

Back in 1990 when this was done, we had few places to go for information on this and other aspects of valve replacement surgery. Since we both knew and respected both the cardiologist and the surgeon, my guy complied with their orders with further questions.

Blanche

 

[perrypiratesdad]

The only other reason I would have them removed before surgery would be if I knew I would be on warfarin therapy after surgery.