Heard you’ll need antibiotics for every dental visit once you have a new joint? Usually that isn’t so. From Burlington, book a pre-surgical review that sorts out medicines, symptoms and the paperwork your surgeon wants.
It is one of the first things people ask once a hip or knee replacement is scheduled, often because a relative was told years ago to take pills before every cleaning. Current guidance generally does not recommend routine antibiotics before dental care simply because a person has a prosthetic joint. A few medical situations are handled individually, and those decisions belong to your clinicians, not to a leftover bottle in the cupboard.
The antibiotic question is only part of the picture. A pre-surgical visit also looks for active problems in your teeth and gums, because treating an infected tooth is different from taking a preventive dose. It helps to know the type of operation and its date, your medicines and allergies, and what the orthopaedic team has asked of us. Timing an extraction close to surgery is another matter again.
Coming from Burlington, book once the surgery date is known so there is time for any treatment and for messages to travel between offices. Bring the hospital’s request; a general mention of dental clearance does not tell us what they need. We will examine, explain the findings, and share relevant information with your surgical team. A dental review is not a guarantee against infection after surgery.
Let us know the surgery date at booking and anything troubling your teeth or gums. If the hospital changes the date, update us so any planned dental care can be retimed.
Pain, swelling or a broken tooth should be assessed before surgery rather than pushed into recovery. Describe how it started and how strong it is. The dentist can diagnose and discuss treatment, while the surgical team decides what it means for them.
Bring the paperwork and the office’s contact details. Some requests need an examination, others ask about medicines or recent records. We cannot sign a form without assessing your mouth, so please allow time for that step.
If an extraction or gum treatment is already scheduled, healing time may need to be discussed. Share both dates with us. Avoid shifting either appointment, or starting medicine, on the basis of something general you read.
If a dental problem appears close to surgery, phone us and inform the surgical team. Concealing it to protect the date can lead to harder decisions later.
A visit before surgery can uncover oral problems that need care, explain how they might be treated, and give your medical team information they have requested. It can also settle questions about medicines and routine appointments during recovery. That is useful, but it has limits: an examination cannot guarantee how the joint surgery turns out.
Two people with the same new knee may leave with different dental plans. The findings and your medical history should guide each recommendation. If something is proposed, ask whether it treats current disease or relates to timing, communication or regular maintenance.
Patient information: College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario — joint replacement advisory
Instead of general rules from friends or old prescriptions, you get advice tied to your history. Where preventive medicine is being considered, the dentist and surgeon can discuss it and give clear directions.
When the dentist recommends treatment, ask which tooth or area is involved and why. Knowing the diagnosis helps you see what should happen before surgery and what is optional or can wait.
Ask how to manage brushing and cleaning while mobility is limited, and when routine visits should restart. Knowing whom to call if a dental problem appears takes uncertainty out of rehabilitation.
We begin with your concerns and the operation ahead. Coordination with the hospital can take time, so contact us well before the last few days if you can.
We review the planned joint procedure and date, every medicine you take, allergies and relevant conditions. Tell us about earlier joint infections or complications your surgeon considers important. Bring written instructions and a contact for questions.
The dentist checks teeth, gums, existing restorations and any symptoms. Imaging may be advised if it answers a clinical question. We aim for clear findings rather than treating every imperfection as the same level of concern.
If care is indicated, we review the diagnosis, options, estimated fees and follow-up. The dental and orthopaedic teams may need to agree on timing or medication. Any report states what was assessed and does not include unsupported promises.
After treatment, follow your instructions and attend reviews that assess healing. Check that the surgical team has the information they need. Tell both offices about changes in symptoms or dates.
Follow the personal advice your clinicians give. If two sets of instructions seem to clash, ask for them to be reconciled before changing medicines or appointments.
Please don’t take antibiotics left from another illness, or stop a blood thinner, because a dental visit is planned. Whether any change or preventive dose is needed depends on your situation and should be settled by your clinicians.
Some dental work needs to be reviewed before its result can be recorded. Report pain, swelling or bleeding that is increasing, or a site that will not settle. One visit does not always close every question about healing.
Brush with fluoride toothpaste and clean between teeth as advised. If you will be less mobile after surgery, ask about helpful aids or assistance now. Good home care matters even while routine visits are scheduled around recovery.
Bring any question about medicines or schedules. What was right for another person’s operation may not apply to your health or your dental treatment.
Get in touch with our Bronte Street practice and have three things ready: the operation date, your medication list and any request from the orthopaedic team. We will arrange an assessment and explain what information and follow-up your care calls for.
Phone us if your operation is close or a symptom needs quick attention. Submitting an online request does not confirm urgent assessment or completed forms.
