The necessity of preoperative laboratory testing in dental surgery: A case-based clinical approach

Seo, Mi Hyun

doi:2026.64.5.169

J Korean Dent Assoc > Volume 64(5); 2026 > Article

Special Issues

Journal of Korean Dental Association 2026;64(5):169-173.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.22974/jkda.2026.64.5.004 Published online May 29, 2026.

치과 수술 전 혈액 검사의 필요성: 임상 증례 중심으로

The necessity of preoperative laboratory testing in dental surgery: A case-based clinical approach

Mi Hyun Seo^1,2

¹Department of One-stop Specialty Center, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Seoul National University Dental Hospital, Seoul, Korea
²Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dental Research Institute, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea

Correspondence: Mi Hyun Seo, Tel: +82-2-6256-3319,
Email: tjalgus@snu.ac.kr

Abstract

Preoperative laboratory testing is an essential yet frequently overlooked component of safe dental surgical practice. As the aging population increases the prevalence of systemic diseases among dental patients, structured preoperative evaluation prior to routine procedures such as tooth extraction and implant surgery has become increasingly important. Clinical cases demonstrate that blood tests play a decisive role in preoperative decisionmaking, enabling detection of previously undiagnosed conditions including uncontrolled diabetes, renal tubular dysfunction, and hematologic malignancies. Although no universally accepted protocol currently exists, the necessity of routine preoperative blood testing should be carefully considered in an aging society - not only to optimize surgical outcomes, but also to ensure the safety of both patients and clinicians. Routine preoperative laboratory evaluation should be regarded as a fundamental safeguard in ambulatory oral and maxillofacial surgical care.

Key Words: Hematologic Tests; Ambulatory Surgical Procedures