IV dental treatment and a dual chamber pacemaker

I happily had my pacemaker fitted under a local anaesthetic but show me a dentist's chair and I quiver like a jelly. I am a wuss.

My dentist recently declined to give me intravenous (IV) sedation because of my pacemaker; he said I would need hospital treatment for a simple filling. 

At my request, my consultant has now given me a letter to say I have a *dual chamber* pacemaker NOT a cardioverter defibrillator. He has no objection to my dentist giving me intravenous sedation "and this would not require hospital admission". He adds: "It is unlikely to interfere with your pacemaker."

Note that this situation may not apply if you have a cardioverter defibrillator -- and in any case a letter to your dentist from your own consultant would not go amiss.

Provided for information for all dental wusses with dual chamber PMs!

5 Comments

Thanks,

by Graham M - 2020-02-27 19:16:33

Thanks for your post.

Next Wednesday, I am due my first dental check-up since having my PM fitted in August, so it will be interesting to hear what he has to say.

I can see your dentist's point though - sedatives like diazepam can cause tachycardia, and some local anaesthetics (eg lidocaine) are antiarrhythmics.  He probably just doesn't want to take any chances.

If it puts your mind at ease, I'd just like to add that a couple of years ago, I had 2 tooth extractions, after breaking them eating hard toffee, and they were no more painful or uncomfortable than having the PM fitted, in fact, less so because my PM surgeon gave me too little anaesthetic to begin with.

Graham.

Wuss

by AgentX86 - 2020-02-27 23:24:41

Yeah, I was the same way.  BTDT .  I had only locals for my ablations and AV ablation/pacemaker implant.  Some pain but it was only for a very short time (during the procedures).  About a year later I had some extractions that needed to get done.  I was really dreading that!  I'd had fillings that left me in serious pain for a few weeks.

I asked the oral surgeon (wasn't going to fool around with a dentist) for a general.  As soon as he found out that I had a PM, there was no way he'd do it with a general.  He didn't care what my EP or cardiologist said.  He wasn't taking that chance.  So, I had nitrous oxide. Amazing stiuff. I had very little pain and absolutey no problems.  I've since had a crown.  No pain.  Easy peasy.

The oral surgeon did demand a release (or whatever they call it) from my cardiologist before doing the job.

Wuss

by Chiefsub68 - 2020-02-28 06:49:54

Thanks, Graham. I'm afraid my issue with dentists is too deep seated to be conscious while having a filling, etc. I haven't managed X-rays yet. My previous dentist told me I was fighting him even while out under IV. I wish I could get a handle on it. Considering hypnotism.

I don't know where you live AgentX86 but here in the UK the nitrous oxide must be very weak. I didn't even notice I'd had it.

 

Wuss

by AgentX86 - 2020-02-28 08:08:43

I'm in the US (Georgia). The NO certainly wasn't weak. I was conscious but barely. I could hear the crunching of bone but 1) didn't feel it and 2) didn't care. I didn't, however, think anything was funny. ;-)

 

Wuss

by Bela - 2020-02-29 00:53:33

I agonized about going to the dentist and request sedation for some treatment.  I have a dual chamber pace maker and have had two dental implants under sedation And I was fine.  

You know you're wired when...

Airport security welcomes you.

Member Quotes

I have an ICD which is both a pacer/defib. I have no problems with mine and it has saved my life.