Management of Patients Using Oral Anticoagulant Agent in Dental Practice

Abstract

An increasing number of patients in our country use oral anticoagulants for the prophylaxis and treatment of thromboembolic events. The cornerstone of these groups of agents is warfarin, a vitamin K antagonist, which has been the single alternative used by oral route for several years. However, due to warfarin's late onset and long lasting action and the intense interactions with food and drugs, newer oral anticoagulants have emerged in the market in recent years. Dabigatran, rivaroxaban and apixaban arc the novel agents used in our country. Those drugs should he regulated in the perioperative period when patients receiving oral anticoagulants are referred for dental interventions. The interruption of agents may result in lethal consequences of thromboembolic events, while continuing raises the risk of bleeding. This review outlines the various properties of the oral anticoagulants and the most recent recommendations and guidelines regarding the management of dental patients taking these medications.