For people with haemophilia, severe von Willebrand Disease and any other severe bleeding disorder, most major dental work such as extractions or surgery is carried out in hospital as a matter of precaution. This allows your haemophilia centre medical team to give you any necessary treatment and monitor your factor levels. But for routine extractions, if you can self-administer concentrate, your haemophilia centre can often give you a treatment plan so that you can visit your community dentist.
If you have a mild bleeding disorder it is fine for you to attend your own dentist for routine care such as check-ups and fillings. For more invasive treatment such as tooth extractions, gum surgery or some deeper injections (nerve blocks) you and your dentist must contact your haemophilia centre for advice.
Your NHS dentist will provide treatment that is clinically necessary to help you protect and maintain good oral health. This means they will provide any treatment you need to keep your mouth, teeth and gums healthy and pain free. Talk to your dentist to find out what treatment options are available to you.
Dental implants (replacing missing teeth) are not routinely available on the NHS unless there is a medical need. The cost for a single tooth dental implant varies, and can range from £1,000 to £5,000.
“Oral bleeding is most commonly a consequence of dental disease and not a consequence of an inherited bleeding disorder.”
Dr Lochana Nanayakkara, Consultant in Restorative Dentistry
Remember, you may need pre and post treatment with clotting factor concentrate, desmopressin (DDAVP) and/or tranexamic acid for certain dental procedures. It is important that your haemophilia centre is aware of all invasive dental treatment you have. Avoid aspirin and NSAIDS (anti-inflammatory medicines like ibuprofen) as they can increase bleeding.