question regarding dental work

[Guest guest]

Good question. I have some fairly major dental work that I need to have done also, but I keep putting it off. I'm not sure about the answer to your precise question re the meds you take causing a problem, but I do know that I have an emergency wallet card which my EP issued to me to the effect that I "need protection from bacterial endocarditis because of an existing heart condition". And it goes on with further language, among which is: Prophylactic regimens for dental, oral, respiratory tract, or esophageal procedures, giving the standard general prophylaxis for patients at risk as Amoxicillin: Adults, 2.0 g (children , 50 mg/kg) given orally one hour before procedure. I had heard about this prior to his giving me the wallet card, basically to the effect that I, or anyone with heart problems, had to take an antibiotic prior to any dental procedures. I know this doesn't address your question about any interaction between the sedation to be given and any of your meds; and hopefully someone else will address that, as I'd like to know also. Just thought this might be a good chance to remind everyone about the necessity of taking an antibiotic prior to any dental work, even a cleaning.

[Guest guest]

I have major dental work that needs to be done and a dentist in my

area said that he would not feel safe working on me. I wanted

sedation but he says the med, even the " cains " in the shots could

intefere with the meds I take. He says the safest place for me is

at a university dental school. Has any one else had this problem?

I have not had an episode in about 3 years. I take amiodarone,

metaprolol and others.

[Guest guest]

Hope is right about the antibiotics before dental work (I take 4 500

mg tabs of amoxil one hour before.) My dentist worries about

working on me, too. Since ICD, I've had several fillings and at

least one crown. I never use novacaine for fillings, because the

shots are worse than the fillings. However, for the crown, he used

a different novacaine -- I can't remember the ingredient it lacked

compared to the regular stuff (I want to say epinephrine, but I'm

not sure. That doesn't seem to make sense, other than it would

affect your heart). Your dentist should know -- the stuff he used

on me doesn't last as long as regular novacaine.

If he's still leary, just call your EP or cardio and see if there

are any special instructions and have them send them to you or the

dentist directly. The only problem I can really see (with my lack

of medical training) would be if he's putting you completely under.

Good luck. Let us know what happens.

Jana

[Guest guest]

I had a tooth pulled a few months ago, then some other dental work

and a cleaning.. Each time I went to the dentist my cardiologist told

me to take 4 amoxicillin 500 mg tablets one hour before my

appointment. I think my dentist was most concerned about the

coumadin that I take...I also take Toprol, Lipitor and Altace.. I had

no problem and didn't have any major bleeding problem.. Good luck.

Helen

[Guest guest]

I was fortunate and had no cavities so all I needed was a cleaning.

My dentist prescribed an antibiotic to take an hour before the

cleaning and she chose not to use the electronic descaler. She

was pretty confident that everything would go well and it did.

Mike

On Jun 28, 2004, at 2:29 PM, marysg2000 wrote:

> I have major dental work that needs to be done and a dentist in my

> area said that he would not feel safe working on me. I wanted

> sedation but he says the med, even the " cains " in the shots could

> intefere with the meds I take. He says the safest place for me is

> at a university dental school. Has any one else had this problem?

> I have not had an episode in about 3 years. I take amiodarone,

> metaprolol and others.

>

>

>

>

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