Your surgeon's advice (to delay the dental work) seems strange to me, too. Dental work does often release a brief burst of bacteria into the blood. For most of us this isn't a big deal (though it's why people with heart valve issues get antibiotics when they have dental work). I'd suggest calling your surgeon's office and letting him know that the dental work really can't wait, but you'd be grateful for any suggestions about how to make it less of an issue for the surgery.

One risk, of course, is that any complications from the dental work really could impact the surgery. Lots of unexpected life events (even getting a cold!) impact surgery.

Some dentists will put you on antibiotics for 24hrs prior to dental surgery (root canal) and may keep you on them for up to 5 days post root canal...

I have had tooth problems around the time of my surgeries and never had any surgeon comment on it other than the anesthesiologist who wanted to make sure that my implant was stablilized and not in danger of getting pulled out or swallowed.

Talk to your dentist first.

Sharon

ps. In my case I was better off having the dental work beforehand because I could never had had it done afterwards.

thank you Scott.

my thoughts exactly and if i leave infection in tooth that  can also cause complications. right?

interestingly, i started with a cold on thursday but am better today. All this fun prior to surgery ;-)

Sharon, 

thank you very much (and merci beaucoup).

I dont know, i called my dentist this morning I think i will call surgeon tomorrow morning, probably wont hear from him until afternoon cause monday is a surgery day for him. 

interestingly, my husband has diverticulitis which is very mild and his GI put him on cipro and flagyl and he needs to wait 6 weeks before colonoscopy. I dont know if this sugests the need for a long time between anticiotics and procedue?

I sort of get maniac pre-op.

I need to get everything done before surgery (hair, chiro, teeth, groceries, cleanning etc...) because I don't drive and live in a 'medical drought zone' so I do things while I am still mobile.

I also suspect that I won't be in any condition to do things for at least 6-8 weeks post op so that tells me what I need to know...if it is important or urgent I don't put it off.

Just be careful...teeth are no joke...they can infect and cause all sorts of problems if not treated in time.

Take good care

Sharon

Sharon,

This is my first surgery thus far and it is my professional opinion (being a psychologist) that i my anxiety is so high and i am likely manic, with racing thoughts. Diagnoses aside. 

This is happening while i am usually the one in the family to run to the dentist with the slightest tooth ache so i can "catch stuff before it becomes too bad". So this is definitely adding a sense of urgency and anxiety, like what if the surgeon decides to postpone the surgery. 

why did you say you are in a medical drought zone?

thanks again :-)

My thoughts: 

Surgeon is probably thinking, don't do anything that might cause a delay of surgery (such as opening a can of worms leading to dental complications). Delays mess up his schedule and are a disappointment for you.

On the other hand, delaying your dental treatment could possibly lead to an abscessed tooth, which could also delay surgery while you deal with it (not to mention the pain and suffering associated with that).

If it were me, I'd notify the surgeon that you are having dental pain and need this taken care of before you undergo major surgery that is likely to lower your resistance. In all likelihood, you'll just need the filling replaced, not the root canal.

Jan

thank you Jan,

my thoughts exactly. i'll call the CR office tomorrow morning and let them know that. then i'll call ny dentist and see when he can see me that day. hopefully i will have an answer from CR before i enter the dentist's office. i was dat the dentist several months ago for cleaning, i dont know, i cant think it can be root canal so fast... 

Maybe your surgeon is assuming you are talking about elective dental work, not something more urgent. I'd think that the last thing he would want for you is a new source of infection and stress.

Jan

If you develop a fever or systemic infection then your surgery will be cancelled.  You want your body to be in the best condition pre-operatively and that includes dental health.  

Please see your dentist to,have your tooth fixed quickly.  

thank you Jan, Sharon, Scott and Jaypea,

So this morning at 7:30 i got a call from dentist to be there at 8:45. At 8 i called the CR surgeon's office letting them know i have to go to dentist and if there is any antibiotic the surgeon doesnt want me to use. Have not heard from CR yet, i later learned his secretary is off today. 

Got to dentist. They were all prepared to do root canal but first we took another xray and he (dentist) saw there is not problem around nerves. i also did the ice test yesterday (putting ice in my mouth next to hurting area and i did not faint, meaning it likely not root canal). 

He looked in my mouth and said i have a small canker sore there. it wasnt there on thursday when i saw him last. There is a filling that needs to be replaced but he said we can wait on that until after surgery, but not too long. 

ok, crisis averted? hopefully. 

thank you all for your help. THis is truly an amazing site. 

Sounds like good news! The canker sore is just more evidence that your colong is causing you grief.

Jan