If you consume cannabis, it is important to let your dentist know. A patient under the influence of medicinal or recreational marijuana presents unique implications for dental care:
- Increased anxiety, paranoia, and hyperactivity may heighten the stress of a dental visit.
- Increased heart rate and other cardiorespiratory effects of cannabis make the use of local anesthetics containing epinephrine or products containing alcohol potentially life-threatening.
- Under general anesthesia, the use of cannabis has been shown to increase the likelihood of cardiac arrhythmias and respiratory depression. It is advised that cannabis use be ceased 72 hours prior to the use of general or regional anesthesia.
- Smoking marijuana before or after surgical procedures could result in increased risk of dry socket, implant failure, pain, and infection, along with prolonged healing time.
- Marijuana interacts with many common prescription and over-the-counter medications, herbs, and supplements.
- Marijuana may compromise the user’s judgment, short-term memory, and attention span, which could impact a patient’s communication with dental practitioners.
- There may be legal implications regarding the validity of informed consent, especially with irreversible procedures such as tooth extractions.