Clinical Evaluations of Tooth Extraction in Patients Undergoing Anti-Coagulant and/or Anti-Platelet Therapy―Our Measures and Questionnaire Evaluations of Patients' Awareness―

Abstract

In this study, we retrospectively reviewed on tooth extractions carried out in patients undergoing an anticoagulant and/or antiplatelet therapy. Patient awareness about the possible complication of tooth extraction was surveyed with a questionnaire.
This study was carried out in 48 patients who had tooth extraction(s) during the period from March 2002 to March 2003. Of these patients, 12 had taken an anticoagulant agent, 30 an antiplatelet agent, and 6 had taken both. Seventy percent of the patients underwent tooth extractions after discontinuing anticoagulant and/or antiplatelet drugs. Secondary hemorrhage was observed in 3 patients, but no other complications were noted. There was a tendency for a higher prevalence of secondary hemorrhage in patients who underwent multiple extractions. However, there was no relationship between the occurrence of complications and interruption of anticoagulant and/or antiplatelet drugs.
Thirty-eight patients (79.2%) answered the questionnaire. Almost all of them were anxious about tooth extraction with concomitant use of anticoagulant and/or antiplatelet drugs. Results of the questionnaire also showed that they were afraid of bleeding rather than complications related to thrombosis.