Pre- and Post-operative Dental Focus of Patients with Prosthetic Heart Valves

Abstract

Introduction and Aim: Patients who are going to receive prosthetic heart valve operation should have all indicated dental treatment performed before the valve is placed since they are more susceptible to infective endocarditis or to prosthetic valvular endocarditis arising from oral infections. The aim of this study is to evaluate the incidence of potential odontogenic infections sources in patients with preand postprosthetic heart valve operations. Materials and Methods: Twenty patients with preand postoperative valves replacement were subjected to comprehensive clinical and radiographic dental examination. Information considering age, gender, oral pathological features like periapical periodontitis, cysts, remained roots, impacted teeth, the existence of current diabetes mellitus and the form of the valve replacement were also included in the documentation. Results: Patients who were examined after prosthetic heart valve operation showed relatively more dental problems, more past canal treatments and more chronic periodontitis than patients who were examined before prosthetic heart valve replacement. Conclusion: Optimized dental treatment planning for patients scheduled to undergo cardiac valve replacement is always a need. Optimal cooperation between the cardiologist and the dentist is to be considered. The need of prophylactic antibiotics before and after several dental manipulations should be always discussed.