Patient Information

Medical Alerts

Conditions Requiring Antibiotic Premedication

If you are a patient with the following history:

• Certain kinds of heart disease or a special heart condition
  • Artificial valve
  • Previous history of bacterial endocarditis
  • Certain types of congenital heart disease
  • Heart transplantation with valve dysfunction
  • Joint Replacement

You will need to advise our office so we may prescribe antibiotics to be taken one hour prior to your appointment.

American Heart Association Guidelines

American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons

Insulin-Dependent Diabetes

If a general anesthesia is being utilized in conjunction with your oral surgery procedure you will be instructed not to have food or drink for a specified time prior to the surgery. With this in mind, it is best for insulin-dependent diabetics to schedule their appointment in the morning. You will be instructed to avoid your morning dose of insulin. Please take a pre-operative blood glucose level and bring both your glucometer and insulin to your appointment.

If you are a brittle diabetic we may need to consult with your physician prior to surgery.

Anticoagulation Therapy

Your physician may have placed you on medications to “thin your blood” for a variety of conditions. The most common of these anticoagulants include Coumadin, Plavix, Persantine and Aspirin. Depending on the surgical procedure, planned we may need to consult with your physician to alter your dosage of medication to avoid excessive or uncontrolled post-operative bleeding. Blood testing may also be required prior to surgery.

Please notify our office well in advance of your surgery date, preferably at the time the appointment is scheduled, if you are on any of the medications listed above to allow for coordination with your physician and avoid delay of your scheduled procedure.

Precautions with Birth Control

Antibiotics may interfere with the effectiveness of oral contraceptives. If you are taking birth control pills you need to use some additional form of contraception for one complete cycle of pills after your course of antibiotics is completed. This is also true of any hormonal form of birth control such as the patch or Norplant.

History of Stroke, Heart Attack or Heart Surgery

If you have a recent episode of stroke, heart attack or heart surgery please notify our office. Only emergency procedures are recommended in the first six months after any of these events.

Early surgery could place you at a greatly increased risk for another stroke or heart attack.

Radiation Therapy

Removing teeth after radiation of the head and neck area can induce a condition known as osteoradionecrosis. Due to reduced blood flow to the jaws following radiation therapy, removal of teeth may cause deterioration of the bone. Special pre-operative treatment called Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy may help prevent this. It is imperative to notify our office when you make your appointment of any radiation treatment you may have had in the head and neck area.

Osteoporosis Medication

Medication such as Boniva, Fosamax, Aredia, Zometa, Actonel, Skelid, Didronel, Bonefos or any other bisphosphonates may alter dental treatment. Notify our office if you are taking or have taken any othese medications.