Reviewed by Dr. Kerri Font, DDS
Reading time: five minutes
If oral surgery is on your calendar, you are probably already thinking about recovery, post-operative instructions, and maybe what soft foods to eat afterward. But before you get there, your oral surgeon needs one thing from you: a complete list of every medication you take.
This blog explains which medications may affect oral surgery, why your surgical team needs to know about them, and what steps to take before your procedure to protect your health and outcomes.
Table of Contents
- Why Medication Disclosure Is Critical for Oral Surgery
- Common Medications That Interfere With Oral Surgery
- Schedule a Consultation With a Periodontist in Colorado
- FAQs
Key Takeaway
Some medications can increase bleeding, delay healing, or affect bone health during oral surgery. Share your full list with your periodontist for safer care.
Why Medication Disclosure Is Critical for Oral Surgery
Even if a medication seems unrelated to your mouth, it could affect blood clotting, healing, or infection risk. Some prescriptions need to be paused or adjusted before surgery, others may require coordination with your primary care physician or medical doctor.
At Highlands Ranch Periodontics & Dental Implants, we always review your medications during your consultation. Full disclosure helps us plan the safest approach and avoid complications like dry socket, blood loss, or delayed healing.
Common Medications That Interfere With Oral Surgery
Before any dental surgery such as dental implants, gum grafting, wisdom teeth removal, or tooth extraction, your dental surgeon will evaluate how your medications may impact:
- Blood flow and bleeding
- Immune response
- Blood pressure
- Healing capacity
- Drug interactions with intravenous sedation, nitrous oxide analgesia, or general anesthesia
Here are key medication classes your oral surgeon will watch for.
Anticoagulants and Antiplatelets: Increase Bleeding Risk
Medications that thin the blood or affect blood clotting can lead to excessive bleeding during or after surgery.
Examples include:
- Warfarin (Coumadin)
- Clopidogrel (Plavix)
- Apixaban (Eliquis), Rivaroxaban (Xarelto)
- Aspirin (especially long-term or high-dose use)
What your oral surgeon may do:
- Coordinate with your primary care physician to safely pause or adjust doses
- Order blood tests like INR to measure clotting function
- Use local measures during surgery to stabilize a blood clot and reduce bleeding
Never stop blood thinners on your own. Always follow a supervised tapering or bridging protocol if needed.
Immunosuppressants: Delay Healing and Raise Infection Risk
If you take medications that suppress your immune system, healing after oral surgery may take longer, and your infection risk may be higher.
Examples include:
- Prednisone or corticosteroids
- Methotrexate
- Cyclosporine
- Biologic drugs like Humira or Enbrel
These medications may be used for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or after organ transplant.
What your dental surgeon may do:
- Prescribe antibiotic prophylaxis
- Adjust surgical timing based on your immune status
- Coordinate care with your medical doctor
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs): Affect Bone Healing
Some antidepressants, especially SSRIs, have been shown to interfere with bone healing and increase the risk of implant failure.
Common SSRIs:
- Sertraline (Zoloft)
- Fluoxetine (Prozac)
- Paroxetine (Paxil)
- Citalopram (Celexa)
SSRIs may alter how the body forms new bone, which is crucial after procedures like dental implants or sinus augmentation.
What your oral surgeon may do:
- Consider alternative implant planning
- Monitor healing closely during follow-up
- Discuss risks and benefits with you beforehand
Bisphosphonates: Risk of Jawbone Complications
These medications treat osteoporosis and some cancers by slowing bone loss. However, they may also reduce blood supply to the jawbone, increasing the risk of osteonecrosis.
Common bisphosphonates:
- Alendronate (Fosamax)
- Ibandronate (Boniva)
- Zoledronic acid (Reclast or Zometa)
What your periodontist may do:
- Delay surgery or use a non-surgical approach
- Order a CT scan or bone density scan
- Coordinate with your endocrinologist
Other Medications to Mention
Your oral surgeon also needs to know if you take:
- Herbal supplements like ginkgo biloba, garlic, or ginseng (which can have a blood-thinning property)
- Vitamin E, which can impair blood clotting
- Proton pump inhibitors, which may affect calcium absorption and bone health
- Diabetes medications like insulin or GLP-1 agonists (which affect healing)
- Anti-seizure medications like phenytoin (which may cause gum overgrowth)
- Birth control pills, especially before wisdom teeth removal or tooth extractions, due to potential clotting risks
- Recreational drugs that interact with sedation or pain relievers
- Dietary supplements, especially if they influence blood flow or healing
| 🗂️ What Your Surgeon Needs to Know From You Your medication list can impact how your body responds to oral surgery—even if it’s just a vitamin or something you take occasionally. Bring a full list that includes: Prescription medicationsOver-the-counter pain relieversVitamins and supplementsInhalers, patches, or injections |
Schedule a Consultation With a Periodontist in Colorado
Oral surgery is not one-size-fits-all. Medication history plays a critical role in how your body responds to treatment. That is why our periodontists, Dr. Bahman (Mike) Norouzinia and Dr. Kerri Font, take time to review every case and communicate with your healthcare team when needed.
To book an appointment at our periodontal clinic in Highlands Ranch, CO, call or text (303) 683-1144 or visit us at 9090 S Ridgeline Blvd. #225, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129.
To book an appointment at our periodontal office in Sloan’s Lake, call or text (303) 683-1144 or visit us at 525 North Raleigh Street Suite 130 Denver, CO 80204.
FAQs
Blood thinners (like warfarin), SSRIs, immunosuppressants, bisphosphonates, and certain herbal supplements may interfere with bleeding, healing, or bone integrity. Always consult your oral surgeon or medical doctor before stopping any medications.
SSRIs may reduce bone density and impair the body’s ability to integrate implants into the jawbone. This can increase the risk of implant failure, especially when paired with other risk factors like smoking or proton pump inhibitors.
You should not take ibuprofen or other pain relievers like NSAIDs unless your oral surgeon says it is safe. These medications can increase bleeding risk, especially if you are also on anticoagulants or birth control pills.
If you are looking for a periodontist in Colorado who offers personalized pre-op instructions, surgical planning, and medication reviews, visit our offices in Highlands Ranch or Sloan’s Lake.