Aspirin and bleeding in dentistry: an update and recommendations

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Dental Surgery
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Aspirin is widely used for cardiovascular thrombotic event prevention.
• Its antiplatelet effect raises concerns about bleeding after dental extractions.
• Discontinuing aspirin may pose thrombotic risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review evidence on thrombotic risks of discontinuing aspirin.
• To present updated recommendations for aspirin use during dental procedures.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent scientific literature.
• Analysis of thrombotic risks versus bleeding risks.
• Formulation of clinical recommendations.

Main Results:

• Discontinuing aspirin increases thrombotic event risk in high-risk patients.
• The risk of thrombosis from aspirin cessation often exceeds bleeding risk from dental procedures.
• Continuing low-dose aspirin may be safe and beneficial.

Conclusions:

• Patients at risk for cardiovascular thrombotic events should continue low-dose aspirin during invasive dental procedures.
• Updated guidelines support continuing aspirin to prevent thrombotic events.
• Balancing bleeding and thrombotic risks favors aspirin continuation in select patients.