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Dental implants and blood thinners: A practical guide

doosje met pillen die eruitvallen op blauwe achtergrond

Are you taking blood thinners and considering dental implants? Good news: modern dentistry makes implant treatments possible for almost everyone using blood thinners. This article covers everything you need to know about safe implant treatment in combination with anticoagulant medication.

What is the purpose of blood thinners?

Blood thinners, medically known as anticoagulants, are medications that slow down or reduce blood clotting. They are prescribed to people with an increased risk of blood clots, for example in cardiovascular disease and reduce the risk of serious conditions such as thrombosis, heart attacks, and strokes. Hundreds of thousands of people in the Netherlands and Belgium take blood thinners daily as prescribed by their doctor.

Blood thinners generally affect medical procedures because they cause blood to flow longer when there is a wound.

Different types of blood thinners

There are three main groups of blood thinners, each requiring their own approach:

  • Preventive blood thinners: If you use one preventive blood thinner (e.g. Asaflow), immediate treatment for dental implants is possible. Are you taking multiple medications? Then your specialist will determine which medication needs temporary adjustment.
  • Traditional blood thinners: Do you use blood thinners (e.g. Marevan) that require monitoring for thrombosis? Implant treatment is possible but the medication has to be stopped 5 to 7 days before surgery and will be replaced by subcutaneous injections of low molecular weight heparins (e.g. Clexane). Always discuss this with your doctor first.
  • New generation blood thinners: These modern blood thinners (e.g. Lixiana) usually only requires skipping your medication one or two days before treatment, provided your health allows it. Discuss this with your doctor.

Are blood thinners safe during dental implant placement?

The combination of modern implant techniques and experienced implantologists makes the treatment very safe, even when you’re taking blood thinners. Thanks to precise surgery, the bleeding risk is now minimal.

The right technique and the right implantologist ensure reliability

For 95% of people taking blood thinners, their medication no longer poses an obstacle. The latest surgical techniques significantly reduce the risk of bleeding. However, it remains important to discuss your blood thinners beforehand for a personalized treatment plan.

Do you have questions about dental implants, the treatment, or your options? Contact us. We are happy to help!

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