Antiplatelets, Anticoagulants and Its Implications in Dentistry-A Review of Literature

Oral health care providers must be aware of the impact of bleeding disorders on their patients during any dental procedure and management of such mishaps. Adequate knowledge of the mechanisms underlying hemostasis, and the optimised management of such patients, are therefore very important for these issues. Initial recognition of a bleeding disorder, in such patients with a systemic pathologic process, may occur in dental practice. The dental treatment of these patients might get complicated during the course of the treatment due to the use of anticoagulant and/or antiplatelet drugs raises a challenge in the daily practice of dental professionals. Adequate hemostasis is critical for the success of any invasive dental procedure, because bleeding problems can give rise to complications associated with important morbidity-mortality. Besides, prophylactic, restorative and surgical dental care of patients with any bleeding disorders is handled skilfully by practitioners who are well educated regarding the pathology, complications which could arise and treatment options associated with these conditions. The purpose of this paper is to review common bleeding disorders and their effects on the dental aspect. Many authors consider that patient medication indicated for the treatment of background disease should not be altered or suspended unless so indicated by the prescribing physician. Local hemostatic measures have been shown to suffice for controlling possible bleeding problems resulting from dental treatment.