Blood loss after dental extraction in patient on anticoagulant therapy

ABSTRACT

This study was performed to assess the extent of bleeding in patients on anticoagulant therapy undergoing extraction of lower molars when compared with normal individuals. Patients on anticoagulant medication undergoing dental extraction of lower molars either stopped their anticoagulant rigimen 72 to 96 hours before the extraction or continued their regular regimen through the time of extraction. Blood loss was measured by weighting sponges used in the procedures. They were compared with an additional control group that had never been on anticoagulant therapy. There was no difference in blood loss detected among any experimental or control group. No bleeding complications occurred in any anticoagulant patients