Special Conditions
Blood Thinners
If you are taking a blood thinner, make sure we know and have reviewed specific instructions for your appointment. Dr. Wolf and Dr. Alsaidi will generally recommend the following pending a medical consult with your physician.
Aspirin
If you take aspirin daily, don’t take any 3-5 days before surgery. It can cause bleeding.
Coumadin
If you are on Coumadin or blood thinners, Drs. Wolf , Alsaidi, or your physician will instruct you. Most patients do not stop Coumadin for periodontal surgery. You will need an INR reading 1 week and 1 day before surgery appointments (INR of 2 – 2.5 is acceptable).
Prosthetic Joint Replacement
Prophylactic antibiotics for dental treatment are not generally recommended, however, if you have a prosthetic joint replacement that is less than 2 years old, your orthopedic surgeon may recommend taking an antibiotic before dental treatment. We will review your specific needs before surgery.
Heart Valves & Heart Murmur
In the past, people with heart murmur were given antibiotics before dental visits to prevent an infection in the heart valves. We now know that the bacteria in your mouth can enter your body from simple things like eating or brushing your teeth. Researchers have looked at this question and have limited the recommendation for pre-dental antibiotic prophylaxis to patients with:
- Artificial Heart Valve Replacement
- History of Bacterial Endocarditis
- Week Immune system in some cases.
Diabetes & Hypoglycemia
Individuals suffering from diabetes, especially uncontrolled diabetics, have a higher risk of developing bacterial infections. These infections may impair your ability to process insulin, resulting in greater difficulty with controlling your diabetes. Drs. Wolf and Alsaidi must know your history and the current status of your condition. You can help resist periodontal infection and improve healing by controlling your blood sugar levels.
We will give you specific instructions for insulin and food intake depending on the length and extent of your treatment.
- Ask your physician for your last HbA1c- it shows average sugar levels
- Make sure you eat before your appointment
- Check your blood sugar before your appointment (better to be high)
- Let us know immediately if you feel any symptoms of low blood sugar.
Osteoporosis
If you have any questions regarding your prescribed medications, please contact us.
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