Oral surgery is often an outpatient procedure, which means you can go home when it’s over without staying in a hospital overnight. Because of this, your surgeon may give you specific instructions on how to prepare for the oral surgery. La Canada residents have numerous qualified dentists to choose from when undergoing such a procedure, and most of them tailor their instructions to fit the individual patient. This is especially important if you’re taking prescription medication for another condition. Before it begins, you need to ask your dentist “can I take my prescribed medications before oral surgery?”
A Case by Case Basis
The answer to this question depends on the type of surgery and the medications involved. Most dentists look for a few specifics things when making that decision:
- Does the medication cause a negative reaction with the medications used for the surgery? If it does, the surgeon can either used an alternate anesthetic or require you to abstain from your medication. Medications can include pain relievers and antibiotics after the operation, as well as the anesthetic used during the operation.
- Can you miss a dose of the medication? If it’s not dangerous or life-threatening, the dentist may ask you to skip a dose or two in order to make the surgery more effective.
- Is the medication an anticoagulant? Some common types of oral surgery, such as removal of wisdom teeth, require the surgeon to make an incision in your mouth. Anticoagulant medication prevents the blood from clotting, which can cause serious problems in such cases.
Naturally, the answers to these questions vary widely by patient and must be evaluated on a case by case basis. It’s usually a good idea to consult not only with your oral surgeon, but with the doctor who prescribed the medication in question before undergoing oral surgery.
La Canada residents trust Lytle, Tate & Stamper for making the health and safety of our patients our number one concern. We will work closely with your doctors to ensure that your medication needs are met and that the operation can be conducted safely and efficiently. Call our staff today to set up a consultation.
