Is Major Dental Work OK On Harvoni?

[Carlhcv]

I need some bridge work redone. This will involve one extraction and an implant. Is there any reason to not get started on this while I'm taking Harvoni?

[keepingOnkeepingOn]

It cost me $8,000 for the new work but I did it just before treatment. I was getting ready in any way I could to be treated even though at the time there were no meds that I could take. The new dental helped me eat better. Docs told me not to do any dental work where there is blood loss. Low platelets. After all you could start the dental work EOT as a gift for yourself. I'm big on good grooming. When sick it's the most important thing for a person. When depressed good grooming helps too. To this day my dentist doesn't know I HAD HCV (you like the sound of that? I do.) when he did the work. I feel good about not telling him. It helped them be relaxed not knowing and they could do their best work. Most people get all confused about this virus not knowing what it is. They think they can catch it like you catch a cold.

[otterwatcher]

I think that's a good idea as implant surgery may have complications whilst on tx-low platelets could cause excess bleeding and you may not heal as easily if your neutrophils are low.

[Carlhcv]

Thank you for validating my point. I will wait to start the major dental work.

[keepingOnkeepingOn]

Oh yes it happened to me. I would disclose and next thing you know they'd drop me for some reason or refer me out. That was a couple years ago. I found a superb dentist and didn't disclose. He never drew blood. They treated me very nice because he didn't know about the HCV. Prior to that I got denied service from 6 dentists and was view as one big virus/hence treated badly though they didn't mean to they couldn't help it. It took me a year of bouncing around to find the one I never disclosed to. Now I have a perfect smile. What's a few weeks for waiting until treatment is done? extractions bleed.

[Carlhcv]

I appreciate the answers to my question. This should not turn into a debate on who I decide to tell about my hep c. That's another topic for another day.

[printze]

I advised my dentist four years ago when I was diagnosed and he is fine with that and I have had root canals, fillings, cleaning. I am seeing him next week for my cleaning and check up before I start treatment.

[Rbeth]

Hey Carl, gotta say, I'm with Linda & Jules on this one. I'd want to know(even if precautions are always in place), if I were the dentist, even & including, cleaning when you're done, for the next patient. For me, I've always told phlebotomists, dentists & prof who will be exposed to my blood... You don't HAVE to, for me I feel I have to.

The other consideration as pain meds were mentioned is antibiotics, if they are needed. Please check w/ hepa/ GI, or if you can, just hold off. Just my nickel. I was sick a lot during Harvoni tx & could take nec meds, it was a drag.
Best blessings,
Randy

[virt111]

I think it's common practice for anyone in the healthcare industry that comes in contact with blood to treat every patient as someone who has a communicable disease. There is no need to divulge such personal information.

But hepcandme does bring up a valid point about pain meds. I would consult with your MD to make sure there are no contraindications with respect to that before making the appointment.

[hepcandme]

I think that you should consider that you will need pain meds for that level of dental work. I needed an extraction when I was treating and tried very hard not to take Anything but my treatment meds but an extraction is going to cause some pain and so, you are going to need something once the novacaine wears off

So, if you can wait, I would recommend doing so - just to spare your liver another challenging drug to process

[Carlhcv]

Someone told a story here or on another forum about his/her dentist putting them off after being told about the hep C. It's hard to find a good dentist and I don't want to lose mine. They already have to assume that any patient could have HIV or another virus. They already wear gloves and face splash shields. Also I should be und by the time any work is done. I'll leave it at that.

[jules2551]

Hi Carl!

I think you should tell your dentist just out of respect.  I mean if you were a dentist wouldnt you want to know so you could double up on the gloves and take extra precaution?  I know the stigma sux but it is what it is.  With so many infected with Hcv I am sure they have previously treated HCV or HIV patients.  If they are true professionals they will treat you..if not go somewhere else.

My dentist took me but I have to admit I called first and asked if they treated HCV patients and he didnt hesitate in saying "yes".

So good luck!

Jules

[dragonars]

I told my dentist.  Other than that I haven't told anyone.

[Carlhcv]

I will ask my gastro tomorrow when I see him. I have heard stories of dentists dropping patients if they find out they have hep C. I'm very leery of who I tell anymore. So many misconceptions.

[dragonars]

Doing peg /rib a few years ago I had 2 root canals and 1 extraction.

[virt111]

Dental work is easy to procrastinate on to begin with, Carl. Now you've got a real excuse to blow it off for a while longer!

[Momof286]

I have to have an extraction done as my back tooth cracked under my crown. I was told to let dentist know and hygienist my doctor too. But there was nothing saying I can't have the dental work done. I am holding off for 4 more weeks if I can till my treatment is done.

[dontworry_behappy1]

According to Harvoni requirements you should let your doctor or dentist know before dental care.

[patra_]

Good question,Carl!  Did you ask your Hepa?

I didn't treat w/ Harvoni, so have no input on that.  

I treated w/ Sol/Riba, and did have cleanings [made sure dentist & hygenist knew in case they preferred me to wait.  No soap.  They didn't let me off the hook. ;  -) ].  

However, Hepa preferred that I wait until after tx for some skin work (biopsy, etc), but told me to do what I had to.  Also said wait til after for Flu shot.

These don't equate to dental, but they give you an idea of the things your Hepa has guidelines for.

ai would ask.  Can't hurt.

Pat