Root Canal?

[Ross]

I had AVR in JANUARY 2002 , St. Jude's Mechanical Valve Was used. INR Is maintained at 2.5.

I now need a root canal tratment for one of my teeth. Please advise if it is safe/ Precautions to be taken. My dentist advises that in case I do not get this treated the infection can affect the working of the valve , whereas my Cardiologist is not keen on my undergoing any sort of treatment where bleeding can occur.

Navin Jain

http://www.valvereplacement.com/forums/member.php?userid=1588

 

[Ross]

http://www.warfarinfo.com/dentalprocedures.htm

So long as antibiotics are given to you 1 hour before your appointment, you should be good to go or fine with it.

2000mg Amoxicillin or 4 500mg capsules one hour before appointment.

 

[Nancy]

I need for a root canal usually means that infection is present, and tooth infections can result in endocarditis if they get into the bloodstream. You certainly don't want to risk that.

I believe there are folks who have had root canals w/o going off Coumadin. I hope they come along and talk about it.

As Ross mentioned, pre-medicating with antibiotics is very important.

 

[Guest]

I have a chart about this various INRs at which procedures are safe etc.

Please look at http://warfarinfo.com/dentalprocedures.htm

Feel free to copy it and take it to your dentist.

 

[warrenr]

dental anticoagulation

dental anticoagulation

Hope these links help.

http://www.med.umich.edu/cvc/prof/anticoag/dental.htm
http://www.jaapa.com/issues/j20040601/articles/periopanticoag.html
http://www.dundee.ac.uk/tuith/Static/info/warfarin.pdf
http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/158/15/1610

 

[lance]

Experience with root canal

Experience with root canal

Had a root canal done by regular dentist about 2 years ago. Had some swelling, some bruising, was fully anticoagulated range 2.5-3.5. It's a long process time wise but no big deal.

Absolutely essential you have massive doses of antibiotic before and after--the same as for tooth scaling and watch INR levels around that time.

The worst of it was I was on oxycontin and then discovered the addictive properties of the drug so I took as little as possible and ditched the rest.

Two thumbs up for root canal surgery while on warfarin.

 

[Sherry]

I'm looking at a root canal in the future, and when I broached the coumadin issue with my regular dentist a few months ago, he didn't feel it would be necessary for me to come off. He thoroughly understands the dangers to me in doing so. I'm seeing him again this Thursday to address this ongoing pain with my crown, and I will ask him again and share with the forum.

 

[geebee]

If an infection is present, it is a really good idea to start antibiotics right away (the 10 day regimen) because it might already be in your blood stream. You can then double up the dose for the procedure.

I have had way too many root canals and they were all done with my INR over 3.0. As my dentist said, the only bleeding from a root canal should be from the needle. Any other bleeding is a mistake on the dentist's part. I don't know if he was being cute or if he meant major bleeding but I do not recall spitting out blood except right after the injection.

 

[Blanche]

Albert's had two root canals while being fully anticoagulated. No problems with either procedure. In the 15 years that he has been taking Coumadin, he's had almost every kind of dental procedure and all while being anticoagulated.
Blanche

 

[John & Joann]

Root Canal

Root Canal

Joann just had a root canal. The reading was 2.9 and she had NO problems. If anyone suggests going off Coumadin for a root canal, run to another dental professional IMMEDIATELY.

Antibiotic is required. Bleeding is minimal with a root canal and a good professional.

 

[Georgia]

I've had many many root canals over the years; even a couple of re-dos; no matter how hard they've been to do, I've NEVER had any bleeding. Not even a little blood to spit out.

 

[Guest]

Joann's experience is exactly in line with the American Dental Association's recommendation that a root canal (planing) is safe at any INR below 3.0.

My chart is at http://warfarinfo.com/dentalprocedures.htm