Management recommendations for invasive dental treatment in patients using oral antithrombotic medication, including novel oral anticoagulants

Abstract

Objective: The aims were (1) to search the scientific literature from 2007 to 2012 for guidelines and new studies on the dental management of patients using oral antithrombotic medication; (2) to summarize the articles' evidence and recommendations; and (3) to propose an updated clinical practice guideline for general dentists.

Study design: A systematic literature search in MEDLINE, Embase, and the Guideline websites, from October 2007 to October 2012, produced articles that were critically evaluated.

Results: The systematic literature search for guidelines yielded 74 citations (MEDLINE, 45; Embase, 22; and the Guideline websites, 7). Of these, only 2 guideline publications and 2 systematic reviews met the inclusion criteria. They yielded 32 recommendations.

Conclusions: The evidence and subsequent recommendations from published guidelines all point in the same direction: do not interrupt oral antithrombotic medication, not even dual antiplatelet therapy, in simple dental procedures.