If you take blood thinners and are considering replacing missing teeth with permanent, lifelike dental implants, you may be wondering if you qualify for treatment. Here’s what you need to know about restoring your smile while taking this medication, and why it’s so important to communicate with your dentist every step of the way!
What Are Blood Thinners?
Blood thinners are medications that are available in two main categories: anticoagulants, which slow down the body’s ability to make clots, and antiplatelets, which prevent your platelets from sticking together and adhering to the walls of your blood vessels. They are ideal for patients who are at a higher risk of developing life-threatening blood clots but may cause increased bleeding following injuries and medical procedures. They are often prescribed following heart surgery and to protect repaired or artificial heart valves.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are the world’s only permanent tooth replacement solution. These durable, natural-looking prosthetics are surgically attached to the jawbone, providing full chewing force and important bone stimulation that prevents further tooth loss. Unlike removable restorations such as dentures, dental implants may never need to be replaced, and they’re also easier to care for, making them a much better value than traditional prosthetics.
Getting Dental Implants While Taking Blood Thinners
Because you’ll need to undergo a surgical procedure to get dental implants, you may be curious to know if taking blood thinners will disqualify you from treatment. The truth is, while it will certainly require some additional precautions, using this type of medication should not automatically prevent you from permanently restoring your smile. Just be sure to let your dentist know which medications you are using, as they may ask you to delay taking them or switch to a different dose or type.
To ensure that you remain in good health, your dentist will likely need to coordinate your surgical care with your physician or cardiologist and may also require some preliminary blood work to check your clotting times. In some situations, it may be too dangerous to stop taking blood thinners, even despite the increased risk of bleeding during your dental implant surgery. In this instance, your dental team can work with you and your physician to help control this both during and after your procedure.
Remember, taking blood thinners should not automatically disqualify you from getting dental implants; however, it is important that you let your dentist know that you use this type of medication during your consultation. While it may require a few extra precautions, restoring your smile safely is always their number one priority.
About Our Practice
At Epic Family Dentistry of Carrollton, Dr. Azmoodeh and Dr. Cao are pleased to offer durable, lifelike dental implants right here in our office. If you are interested in learning more about this treatment but are taking medications such as blood thinners, don’t be discouraged, as this procedure may still be possible. To discuss your options, schedule a consultation for dental implants today by visiting our website or calling 972-820-7294.