Medtronic Micra Pacemaker and dental treatment

Hi guys, it's been a while...

Ticking along fine with my Micra leadless PM. Almost had it a year now for sinus node pauses. I'm considering getting some orthodontic work done on my teeth. I need fixed metal braces and probably a couple of extractions first. I wondered if anyone has experience and if there's anything I should be concerned about or questions to ask before I go ahead?

Thought of a couple of things:

1) Perhaps I should get reassurance from my cardiologist that I won't need another Cardiac MRI scan in the next few years (braces could be on a couple of years minimum).

2) General question, do any of you have antibiotics as a preventative against infection at the dentist (for extractions or other invasive treatment)? I've never asked and never been offered antibiotics but recently read about an increased risk of endocarditis with PM's?

 

Any thoughts would be appreciated

 

Also, just noticed, there still aren't many posts on the leadless Medtronic micra? I

 

Claire :)

3 Comments

Dental work

by CyborgMike - 2020-06-18 21:51:35

I've had lots of dental work. Just let your dentist know ahead of time that you have a PM and/or any meds you are taking. There is not a lot that they do that interferes with a PM.

I have had antibiotics prescribed a lot with dental work. They are typical with tooth infections. I am not a big antibiotic advocate, because they can cause a lot of other GI issues, but if your dentist thinks it is best I'd follow their direction. When it comes to antibiotics and doctors I usually ask twice and then do what they suggest. 

I believe braces and MRIs are ok. You need to check, but my son had an MRI with braces. The only issue is if they need to do a brain/head MRI then they leave spots on the camera blocking some parts. Again, good question for your dentist that is providing them.

Dental work

by AgentX86 - 2020-06-18 22:10:44

You will most likely have to have your EP or cardiologist sign off on the procedure but it's mainly a anti-ambulance-chaser measure.  I had some extractions after my PM.  The oral surgeon wouldn't give me a general anesthesia, because of my PM, rather gave me gas instead.  Though I was aprehensive (understatement alert) about it, everything went fine.  Very little pain and everything "came out" alright.

The oral surgeon wanted direction from my cardiologist regarding antibiotics. His answer "no way - not necessary".

Note that I have a "conventional" two-lead CRT-P, not a Micra.

.

by _Claire_ - 2020-06-19 08:30:13

 

@CyborgMike Ah great to know I didn't realise, I'd just assumed any metal was a no no for MRI. Thanks for all that info about your experience with antibiotics etc I'll do that! 

@AgentX86 Thanks I'll let the hopital know before I go ahead then. I'm planning on having just a local anaesthetic :/ That's interesting about the general anaesthetic, I'd not thought about that issue. All really good points for me to remember for the future. Thank you 

 

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