Is it dangerous for me to get braces becasue of my heart murmur?!

Is it dangerous for me to get braces becasue of my heart murmur?

I have a heart murmur and it is required that I take antibiotics before I am seen by a dentist. I was approved to get braces by my doctors but I am still worried that it is dangerous. Is there a possibility that even after taking my antibiotics that something bad can happen?

2 months ago
Emmalue and Dr. Sam what are you talking about? I don't understand. You must be mistaken. I have Pulmonary Stenosis. I had to get a balloon dilation when I was a child. My doctors at the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia said I will NEED to take antibiotics before each time I see a dentist!

2 months ago
Emmalue, I was already seen by my cardiologist and YES I am required to take antibiotics becasue I have Pulmonary Stenosis, an anatomical defect .

I still take antibiotics just to be safe. My cardiologist just gives me a prn refill prescription for dental work. If you want to take yours then take them. Your cardiologist knows your circumstances. Don't go by a chart from a group of doctors that have never seen you. Their opinions or guidelines are irrelevant to your specific case.

Any dental work has the potential to introduce bacteria into your bloodstream which could lodge an infection in your heart. With a stenosis, you already have a smaller opening, so it would be more of a potential danger to you. But braces are less risky and invasive than a filling or root canal or extraction. They would be a low risk procedure for you. You just have to weigh the pros and cons.

You said you have a murmur. What level is it? If its simply a 1 or 3 that would also be a lower risk. I pray you do well and are very happy with whatever decision you make. Stay healthy. It's good to see someone being proactive in their health.