Scientific journal articles regarding dental issues and dental care

[hsouter]

Does anyone know of articles I could give to our dentist regarding CLL (or similar) so he can better inform himself? He is a conscientious but busy man and really likes my husband, so I know he would read solid info.

Thanks!

Heather

[gardening-girl]

Heather, I could find only one article specifically addressing dental treatment and CLL:

J Am Dent Assoc. 1997 Feb;128(2):206-10.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia of B-cell origin: oral manifestations and dental treatment planning.

jada.ada.org/article/S0002-...

Abstract

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia, or CLL, is the most common form of leukemia in the Western Hemisphere, accounting for approximately 30 percent of all cases. With patients having an expected life span of more than seven years, CLL is a relatively indolent hematologic malignant disease that, while incurable, often has a prognosis compatible with relatively normal dental treatment planning. The authors present four case reports of CLL in a dental setting, as well as an update on the diagnosis, prognosis and dental treatment of patients with CLL of B-lymphocyte origin.

The article is behind a paywall. I could send it to you, but it is WAY out of date and I really can't recommend it.

[Jm954 Administrator in reply to gardening-girl]

This one is general leukaemia but does address CLL. However, probably not much better than yours

hindawi.com/journals/jo/201...

[Marie-54]

The only thing I can stress ....Talk to the family physician and get a prescription for antibiotics before EACH appointment with the dentist. I learned the hard way, by needing to be hospitalized with an infection for 12 days after a simple teeth cleaning. Take no chances in this regard.

The prescribed antibiotic to be taken on the day of the dental visit should be enough to keep him out of trouble.

[Teddo in reply to Marie-54]

Marie, what was your CLL status when you were infected? I see my periodontist 2x/yr and dentist 2x/yr. The perio cleanings are deep cleaning/scraping. Am into my 5th year on W+W. Thus far no antibiotics and no infections after my visits.

Thanks

[Marie-54 in reply to Teddo]

I was no longer on watch and wait and had just finished my chemo (FCR) a few months before which is designed to destroy white blood cells. A relatively common side effect of treatment is a sudden drop in Neutrophils and or Lymphocytes.

Unbeknownst to me, my White Blood count had dropped to 0.002. I was basically left with nothing to fight an infection. I did not know it had dropped that far as my previous test a month earlier had shown near normal levels. As a result - the deep cleaning which normally causes some light bleeding, allowed the surface bacteria in my mouth to enter my system. If I had not been religiously taking my temperature morning, noon and night, I might not have even noticed when the temps started to rise. I was hospitalized for 12 days after a very close call indeed.

So my takeaway from that was to ensure I have a complete blood count with differential before any dental visit, along with a prescription from my doctor for prophylactic antibiotics before any procedure.

Each case is different. Discuss it with your hematologist and doctor to see if you should be using an antibiotic before the dentist. Remember, even though we have too many white blood cells, they are pretty ineffective at doing their job. Better safe than sorry. Good luck in your journey and may you continue to have a long waiting period before you need treatment.

[Teddo in reply to Marie-54]

Thank you, Marie, for your response