Endocarditis and bicuspid valve

[jadams]

Hi All,

Went to see my dentist who recommended to take all 4 wisdom teeth out. I have a bicuspid aortic valve and I am planning to have my aortic valve surgery in April. Based on your experience (if any) is it better to do the extractions now or do it after the surgery? Also, would you suggest maintaining the wisdom teeth using fillings or get them extracted? Read a lot about IE (endo) and just want to make a right decision.

Also, does Bicuspid valve expose you to higher risk for Endocarditis after invasive dental work even with antibiotics cover? Anyone has any experience or know of anyone that had Endocarditis with a bicuspid valve and was it due to any dental work after taking the prophylactic antibiotics?

Thanks very much

 

[pellicle]

Hi

extractions are regarded as less of a problem than dental cleans. Imagine that your teeth are covered in a film of bacteria (but your gums not so much, then look at that as scraping the old paint off a bunch of chairs in your living room vs just picking them up and taking them outside.

does Bicuspid valve expose you to higher risk for Endocarditis after invasive dental work

to the best of my understanding the most important aspect is if you've had your valve operated on or not. There's nothing in your bio (except a rather useless point of your birthday being the same as racehorses, a year would help, the date of the month is irrelevant). However what's there implies you've had AVR (so clearing that up would help).

If you have not had surgery then you are less exposed to the higher risk of endo and are about par with the general population. This is because your endothelial lining in the heart has not been cut (and therefore have scar tissue).

even with antibiotics cover?

I've not read any studies but it would seem to me that as long as you have the cover at the right timing pre the appointment (half life of amoxicillin is short) you'll have the best chance of anyone of not getting (what is really quite rare).

If I were you I'd take the cover anyway.

Best Wishes

 

[MdaPA]

Went to see my dentist who recommended to take all 4 wisdom teeth out.

Did your dentist say why? i.e. are they causing a problem or expected to in near future?

 

[jadams]

Hi

extractions are regarded as less of a problem than dental cleans. Imagine that your teeth are covered in a film of bacteria (but your gums not so much, then look at that as scraping the old paint off a bunch of chairs in your living room vs just picking them up and taking them outside.


to the best of my understanding the most important aspect is if you've had your valve operated on or not. There's nothing in your bio (except a rather useless point of your birthday being the same as racehorses, a year would help, the date of the month is irrelevant). However what's there implies you've had AVR (so clearing that up would help).

If you have not had surgery then you are less exposed to the higher risk of endo and are about par with the general population. This is because your endothelial lining in the heart has not been cut (and therefore have scar tissue).



I've not read any studies but it would seem to me that as long as you have the cover at the right timing pre the appointment (half life of amoxicillin is short) you'll have the best chance of anyone of not getting (what is really quite rare).

If I were you I'd take the cover anyway.

Best Wishes

Thanks Pellicle for your response. Sorry I am new to this so wasn't able to establish my profile correctly. I am 42 years old. Haven't had any surgery yet but it will be in April due to aortic valve regurgitation.

I am going to take the cover as you suggested. The treatment plan comprises of cleaning first, an implant and 4 wisdom teeth extractions in this order. I wanted to ensure i am doing everything to cover all my basis.

 

[jadams]

Did your dentist say why? i.e. are they causing a problem or expected to in near future?

Hi MdaPA,

Yes, there are some carries and he thinks to get them out now before they cause issues after the surgery. For most folks wisdom teeth causes issues since they are not well maintained due to their positioning and they are just extra teeth that doesn't assist in chewing or anything else. Hope this helps.

 

[MdaPA]

Yes, there are some carries and he thinks to get them out now before they cause issues after the surgery.

Normally, dental clearance is required prior to OHS so you should get any recommended dental work completed sooner rather than later.