I have a heart murmur (MVP) and have to take antibiotics prior to dental work. I have alot of crowns and dental work so I can see that in the near future I will have to make decisions about whether to have implants or some other choice when any of these teeth fail. My concern is that I have heard they put people on antibiotics for a lengthy time during the implant work and wondering if that means they would not be safe for someone like myself if there is such a great risk of infection thru the bone. Of course the periodontist who does this work claims I would not be in any danger but I cannot seem to find the information anywhere and other than making an expensive visit to a cardiologist to ask him I am not sure how to find out.
anneh

"Of course the periodontist who does this work claims I would not be in any danger but I cannot seem to find the information anywhere and other than making an expensive visit to a cardiologist to ask him I am not sure how to find out."
anneh[/QUOTE]

Anneh, it seems to me that if you cannot trust the advice of your present periodontist, then look for another one who will, no doubt, give you the same advice. However, as with any kind of surgery, everyone knows that there are always the risks of protracted infections and tissue damage. So, perhaps with your MVP, you might not be the ideal candidate for implants. Definitely, this is something for you to consider when the situation is at hand. Before any implant surgery is scheduled, you may even request that your periodontist confer with your cardiologist, the one who diagnosed your MVP.
Good Luck,
Palter

I agree, it sounds as though you do not trust the advice of this periodontist and with your situation i think it important to check this out thru both the dentist and the cardiologist. Most doctors will discuss things on the phone for no charge with their patients. Unless you have not seen this cardiologist for a long time, he/she might be willing to call you and answer your concerns about the problems of mvp and dental work and the dangers. If not, then your regular gp could probably advise you, but i would definitely get the information from the doctor rather than the dentist where your heart health is concerned.
the other recomendation I would have is to contact the American Heart Assoc and see if they have any information on heart disease and dental work.

Both above posts are very good advice. I know a good friend with mvp that has 2 implants. She was on antibiotics for some time and had no problem whatsoever. As long as you are on the antibiotics before you start the proceedure and take them following your surgery, you will be fine. The only difference for you may be that you need to be put on a stronger antibiotic for added protection, but the risk of infection is so low, you will be fine if you follow your doctor's and dentist's instructions. But I would certainly check with your cardiologist, even if just by phone, or have your dentist do it. But plenty of people with mvp have no problem with implants as long as they were healthy before hand. But if I were you, I wouldn't worry too much about this until the time comes!

I happen to work for a periodontist and I can give you the information you ar looking for. There is new criteria for antibiotics and implants as set forth by the dental association which is only about 3 months old whether or not you have MVP. MVP patients must take 4 antibiotics (amoxicillin 500 mg.; or, if you are allergic to amox then Clindamycin 150 mg.) one hour prior to your appointment. Then, you are supposed to take one pill four times a day for 5 days after the implants (if amoxicillin, if it's Clindamycin then you would take 3 a day). We have many patients with MVP and there has never been a problem taking antibiotics, however, there could be a problem if you DON't take them. Even patients WITHOUT MVP must take these antibiotics except that they only take 2 prior to dental implants. Hope this helps.