Dental advice 7 weeks post AVR

[Tigg57]

Hi all, I’m 7 weeks post surgery after AVR, and feel I’m doing well so far. Unfortunately I managed to brake a tooth last night and am worried it might cause some sort of infection that could affect the new valve/heart. I’m going to contact the dentist first thing Monday morning to try and get an appointment asap, but I’m not sure if it safe to have dental work done so soon after surgery, and what precautions I need to take eg. Antibiotics?? Any advice anyone has would be great. Thank you

[Survivor1952]

I had a clean and polish 4 weeks after surgery with no issues, I'd checked with my surgical team to make sure it wasn't a problem. If you are concerned then I'd suggest you talk to your hospital helpline (you should have been given a number when you were discharged) or to the BHF helpline as a matter of urgency.

[Taviterry in reply to Survivor1952]

I broke off an incisor in October, about three months after my TAVI, and was able to see my (private) dentist within 48 hours, He took an X-ray and said there was no sign of infection, but the stump would have to come out at some time. I gather that it's very desirable NOT to have any serious dental treatment for six months after the op. I have a routine appointment in mid-January, when no doubt I shall have to agree a date for the extraction. I further understand that until a few years ago I would have been told to stop my blood thinners a few days before, but current thinking is to maintain them, and that antibiotics are often prescribed.

(There's not much visible tooth left for the pincers to grab on 🤔.)

[Survivor1952 in reply to Taviterry]

I think you should have replied to Tigg57, not me.

[Tigg57 in reply to Taviterry]

Hi Taviterry, thank you for your reply. I’m hoping after speaking to the helpline this morning that they will advise me to get it looked at and patched up until a later date 🤞I also read something about no serious dental work for six months after surgery, but I’m hoping that they could do a temporary fix to get through Christmas and the next few months.I’ll make some calls this morning to see what they say. I hope you get the rest of your tooth out ok without too much bother. Thanks again

[Tigg57 in reply to Survivor1952]

Hi Survivor1952, thank you for the advice, I will give the helpline number a call this morning to see what they say.