Dental implants are incredible dental prosthetic devices that can replace lost teeth with lifelike restorations that look, feel, and function just like the real thing. These appliances boast a remarkable success rate of over 95%, and they can last for decades or possibly a lifetime if they receive excellent care. However, some health conditions and medications can complicate the dental implant placement process. Here’s what you should know when considering dental implants if you have rheumatoid arthritis.
What Are Dental Implants?
A dental implant consists of a titanium post surgically inserted into the jawbone, a lifelike restoration mounted upon it, and an abutment piece anchoring the two together. After being placed, the titanium post will gradually integrate with the bone structure surrounding it, creating a sturdy hold that allows the restoration to chew exactly like a natural tooth and last for many years if it receives proper care and maintenance.
What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic health condition that leads to painful swelling in the joints. This illness is an autoimmune disorder, meaning that it is caused by the immune system attacking healthy cells, and it can lead to symptoms such as swelling, pain, stiffness, and a sense of warmth in the joints as well as fatigue and fever. Certain medications can treat rheumatoid arthritis, and the condition does not necessarily preclude a patient from receiving dental implants. However, it often leads to two complications:
Oral hygiene difficulties
If your hands and fingers are afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis, it may be difficult to brush and floss your teeth properly. Proper oral hygiene is absolutely essential even if all your teeth have been replaced with dental implants since accumulations of food residue and harmful bacteria will lead to nasty infections that can compromise and destroy your restorations. You may need to get your symptoms under control before receiving implants, but an electric toothbrush and a water flosser may help make oral hygiene easier.
Side-effects of medication
Since rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that attacks healthy tissue, many of the drugs used to treat it work by suppressing the immune system. While this can relieve the patient of many of their symptoms, it can also make them more vulnerable to infections. This makes surgery especially risky, and it can also make a recently placed dental implant more likely to be destroyed by gum disease. It might be best for your doctor and your dentist to communicate when you are receiving implants so they can coordinate your treatments appropriately.
Rheumatoid arthritis can be a pain in the neck, but it doesn’t necessarily have to keep you from receiving dental implants. Consulting with your dentist and your doctor can help you find the best way to restore your lost teeth.
About the Author
Dr. Admasu Gizachew earned his dental degree at New York University and received state-of-the-art dental implant training at Rutgers University. He is proud to hold memberships with the American Dental Association, the New Jersey Dental Association, and the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. His office in Brick Township offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry such as dental implants. To schedule your dental implant consultation, contact him online or dial (732) 475-7535.