Contemporary Management of Patients on Warfarin, Aspirin And Clopidogrel Requiring Dentoalveolar Surgery

Patients with a variety of medical conditions often receive aspirin, warfarin or clopidogrel to prevent complications from atrial fibrillation, thromboembolisms or stroke. Although these medications can be lifesaving; it also can put patients at greater risk of experiencing haemorrhage after dental surgery. Therefore, a decision must be made whether to interrupt or continue anticoagulant treatment in patients undergoing various dental procedures. We have presented a review of this topic, including a brief description of the more commonly encountered anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications and the current recommendations for the surgical management of these patients.