Anticoagulant and dental appointment

[JayDW]

I am on dabigatran anti coagulant and have a dental appointment next week. It is not for an extraction, just a major filling with anaesthetic injection so I do not anticipate any problems. However, I asked the dentist whether I should stop the anti coag beforehand and she said I should ask my doctor. Doctor said " Ask your dentist" !

Where do I go from here? Any suggestions welcome.

Incidentally, many thanks to those who run this forum; it is so useful and encouraging.

[BobD Volunteer]

Most modern dentists even do extraction whilst customer is on anticoagulant so no problem I would say. Do consider asking for non adrenaline local anaesthetic though as many people with AF suffer from the adrenaline which can trigger an AF event. I am really surprised that you are not getting the support and advise from either.

[jennydog]

My dentist is very highly qualified. She is always careful to list any medical/ drug changes on her computer. She is totally unfazed by dabigatran so, if I were you, I would keep taking the capsules as normal.

[Hidden]

I've had a lot of dental treatment over last 2 years.....extractions and root canals. I've never had to stop anticoagulant ..warfarin in my case...as long as my INR wasn't over 3. I've had no problems with bleeding.

[Finvola]

It sounds like your dentist is passing the buck - she should have a protocol for anti-coagulated patients. Like others who have replied, I've had fillings and an extraction without stopping Apixaban.

It might be a good idea to telephone your dentist in advance of your appointment to let her know that you need non adrenaline anaesthetic, to make sure it is available.

[doodle68]

Hi Jay I think the main thing is to alert your dentist to the fact you are taking an anticoagulant. It is very poor of your health professionals to avoid giving you information.

There is some information here for people on NOACs page vii

sdcep.org.uk/wp-content/upl...

It suggests just missing one dose if you are having an extraction..

[ILowe in reply to doodle68]

I agree: the dentist should know you are on anticoagulation. And, you should avoid adrenaline pain killer. That way they can be a little more careful. I had a broken molar which was bonded to the jaw cut out of me, one root at a time, all in outpatients, with INR of 3.4 I think. Surgeon required an INR test just before the operation, to make sure it was not over 4.0! That is how relaxed things are.

Bleeding risk from gums is almost always visible, correctable, and trivial.

[JayDW in reply to doodle68]

Thank you for this helpful reference.

[Eirecara]

I had a filling done yesterday while taking warfarin, no problem!

[JayDW]

Thank you to all of you for your helpful replies. Especially for the advice about non-adrenaline anaesthetic which I didn't know about. I will certainly take that on board.

[rosyG]

Hi

I had a canine root extracted today- very difficult- took an hour!! I had the appt at 11am so followed NICE guidelines I found online and delayed my 8am dose of Apixaban until later on. Apixaban is 12 hourly so took as usual last night. No bleeding at all- i kept to adrenaline anaesthetic as dentist said little is absorbed into bloodstream- and it helps bleeding to stop- however I have seen some comments here that say it starts their AF off.

Hope all goes well for you

[JayDW]

Had my dental filling yesterday - no drama. Didn't feel a thing!

Thank you for all your useful advice and comments.

[Rellim296 in reply to JayDW]

That's good!