What should I do if I'm taking warfarin and need to have a root canal?

Warfarin and other anticoagulants (blood thinners) do not need to be stopped prior to having a root canal performed. If you require oral surgery, like having a tooth extracted, a blood test to determine your INR will be needed. An INR of 1 is normal and the higher the number, the greater the risk of bleeding. If your INR is less than 2.5, most oral surgery can be completed without the need to alter your medication. In recent years, it has been shown to be too risky to take someone off their Warfarin for most routine dental surgery. The decision of whether to stop taking your medication should be made together with you, your dentist and your medical doctor.