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A:
Dental work
can mean anything from a clean and polish through to dental
surgery under a general anaesthetic, so the first step is to
get a clear definition from your dentist as to what
procedures you need to have done and how long it will take.
Make sure
your dentist and anaesthetist are aware of your
condition and appreciate that you are steroid dependent.
Some people are more sensitive to anaesthetic and the
demands of minor surgery than others. Over time you will
come to know your own reactions and how much extra to
take.
If you
are having major dental surgery, it is a sensible
precaution to take extra hydrocortisone tablets plus
your injection kit with you, in case you have an
unpredicted reaction to the surgery. Most dental
practices will not have supplies of hydrocortisone on
hand and will need to order your steroid cover in
advance, where they are administering it.
As a
general rule:
|
What is being done? |
Anaesthetic?
|
Extra medication?
|
|
1.
Minor dental procedures |
No
anaesthetic |
No, just
your ordinary dose |
|
2. Minor dental procedures
eg replace filling |
Local
anaesthetic |
Extra
5mg one hour before |
|
3. Major dental surgery
eg root canal work |
Local
anaesthetic |
Double
dose (up to 20mg hydrocortisone) one hour prior to
surgery. Stay at double dose for 24 hours, then
return to normal dose. |
|
4. Major dental surgery
eg dental extraction |
General
anaesthetic |
Intra-muscular injection of 100mg hydrocortisone one
hour prior to surgery. Stay at double oral dose for
24 hours, then return to normal dose. |
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