Dental Work??

Dody · December 24, 2005

I never said you could get endocarditis from being banded. I said you can get it from foreign objects inserted into the body, i.e. the port is a place for bacteria to gather, especially if it is not healed. It has nothing to do with the band itself. As a nurse I know that diabetics are at a high risk of developing endocarditis and they don't have to have any heart condition at all in order to get it. It is an inflammation of the heart yes, but it is caused by many things.

The main thing is your surgeon who did the band is not a dentist; nor is your dentist able to place a band. The best person to ask dental advice of is your dentist. Mention to them you have a port from banding and take their advice as far as antibiotics. Don't just go there and assume you shouldn't tell them anything that is new in your body. There is absolutely no point in taking chances with your own health if 4 500 mg tablets will save you the trouble of going through problems. Rely on your surgeon for all info about your banding and rely on your dentist to know what you need in the form of medication especially when getting teeth cleaned or pulled. Fillings are not nearly as drastic.

I hope in some way this clears up everything. Just tell your dentist you are banded and have a port and go from there. It's just a precautionary measure.

tztmama · December 25, 2005

My dentist is a sweet man but not necessarily a "communicator". I have to remind sometimes that I am a teacher not a dentist so he needs to fill in the gaps of information he assumes I know. I will call him and ask him to look into this, as well as my surgeon.

MyKdsDad · December 26, 2005

Christine, MsJoy's DH here, she's the front desk. They have no computers in their office so they do everything by hand. EVERYTHING! She has been at it for a little over three years. Two Doctors. Four Hygenists.

bubblesstina · December 26, 2005

HOLY COW!!! 4 hygenists!!! That is a big office!!

I think you gus are close to me if I remember right, arent you in the Dallas area??

I am in Sachse. What Office does she work in? Most people will think I am weird but I actually miss doing a lot of stuff by hand. I even liked doing the peg board!! ( for those of you who do not know what that is, it is the accounting method of posting patient charges and payments, all by hand on a ledger..very time consuming but I loved it!)

How is Joys diet going? Have you started the count down yet??

gentlespirit · December 27, 2005

bubblesstina~

My dad is a retired dentist, and my 3 sisters and I all worked in the office all through high school and college. He retired about 5 years ago, and they never had a computer, either, so I do remember the pegboard. Hadn't thought of it until you mentioned it! I was usually at the desk but also did chairside assisting...particularly liked oral surgery stuff...fillings got so boring I'd get cross-eyed!!

Emily

donali · December 28, 2005

I posted this info on the last dental thread. Personally, it sounds as though taking antibiotics prior to dental work when you have some sort of implant would be the "better safe than sorry" approach. The DMD below says most implants are safe...

If my doc said antibiotics, for sure I'd insist that my dentist complied.

http://www.dentistry.com/pdentalupdates_05.asp

Most prosthetic implants safe during dental care

by Dr. Jerry Gordon, DMD

People who have artificial heart valves are required to take antibiotics prior to certain dental procedures to prevent a sometimes-fatal heart infection called subacute bacterial endocarditis (SBE). The reason is that bacteria in the mouth during dental treatment can travel through the blood stream and infect the artificial valve. Those who have other prosthetic devices may be concerned whether their knee replacement or pin in their arm, for example, is also at an increased risk for infection after dental treatment. Fortunately, most prosthetic devices are safe from infection and do not require antibiotics prior to dental treatment....