Dental Implants and CLL

[splashsplash]

Does anyone have experience with dental implants and CLL? I heard that they can cause infections as they go right into the jaw bone.

[GMa27]

It's a 6 month process from start to finish. You can't be on treatment while having major dental work. Any dental procedure can cause infection. Best to discuss with ur dentist and oncologist.

[splashsplash in reply to GMa27]

thanks, I have discussed with my CLL nurse who said it's advisable to be already on a course of antibiotics when having an implant. I was wondering if anyone had personal experience afterwards of this procedure with CLL?

[cajunjeff in reply to splashsplash]

I have had dental implants since having cll without any issue. I had the dental implant actually the year before my cll diagnosis, but since I was at 50k wbc at diagnosis, I assume I had cll for at least several years before being diagnosed.

It's a significant enough procedure that I would run it by my cll doctor first and let my dentist know about my cll, so they can decide if its contraindicated or if any special precautions should be taken.

My guess is that unless you are in the middle of some serious cll complication, that you will get the go ahead to go forward with your implant. I had a couple dental implants, had zero problems and am very pleased with the result.

[HailMary-USA in reply to splashsplash]

From personal experience, I would strongly advise to AVOID NITROUS OXIDE use during your dental procedure. I had extensive work done 5 months prior to my CLL diagnosis, but we now know that CLL had been brewing in me for years prior. (Stage III at diagnosis, with significantly enlarged spleen and hemolytic anemia.) Had accepted Nitrous Oxide for 3 hour dental procedure which included removal of old bridge, tooth extraction, cleaning of abscess, injecting artificial bone, two titanium mini implants and temporary crowns. Followed was 5 weeks of exploding headaches and near-falling-down Constant fatigue. Eventually I discovered a dental school continuing education article which cautions that Nitrous Oxide is known to "temporarily depress the bone marrow, which is not a problem in healthy individuals." I think that accounted for the fatigue. A Registered Dental Hygienist publication article revealed that Nitrous Oxide is known to cause Migraines in the workers who are frequently exposed. Bingo again. But I've had Chronic Migraine for over 10 years, and it doesn't take much to set mine off. My dentist did prescribe a course of antibiotics which began a day or two before procedure, and the implants have worked well, now 2.5 years out. Other advice is to treat this as surgery, planning several days after for total rest and recovery.

Best of luck to you.

[wiganfan]

My dentist refused to give me an implant as he said the risk of infection was too high

[Mwagner]

I had an implant done after I was diagnosed with CLL, the practioner performing the procedure was a medical doctor and he didn’t raise any red flags. I haven’t experienced any issues after a year. I am on watch and wait so my blood chemistry may be different from others that are taking medication.

[Smakwater]

This is question for your personal CLL specialist.

Consider:

Pro - If you are watch and wait, your immune system may still be capable to fight off infection given you have no other health conditions. Some even have major surgery during W&W.

Con - If you are under treatment, many therapies recommend that you not even brush your teeth with a coarse bristle or cut yourself shaving.

JM

[BobTerry62]

I started a single tooth implant process within a month after 3 1/2 months of chemo (Rituxan and Methotrexate) which ended on 3/17/18. The process was to remove the old dead tooth and pack some bone (cadaver or animal) into the area of the missing tooth. Then six months later drill a hole into the new bone/old bone and insert a screw/post. Attach a temporary plastic tooth to the implanted screw. A few months later install a new tooth. I got the new tooth about the same time I started on Imbrurvica....about two months ago. I consulted with my Oncologist before proceeding with the implant. I think everything has gone very well but in the last day or two I have had a blood blister in the lower back part my mouth. I am not sure this is helpful. I will say I really like my new front tooth and I can now eat apples.

[anonymous1989]

I'm a little late to the topic, but I am curious if you got implants after the treatment?

My grandfather was diagnosed with CLL two years ago, and he wants to get dental implants because some teeth bother him so much. He used to get his teeth done at perfectasmile.com/dental-im..., but he didn't have time to visit the dentist since he was diagnosed. And now I'm trying to find out if he can get dental implants as long as he is having his treatment.

From what I've read, it depends a lot on each person's body, but I wouldn't want grandpa to risk.

[splashsplash in reply to anonymous1989]

Hi 1989, I had a major CLL relapse in Feb 2021 and I'm now on Venetoclax. I decided not to have implants due to risk of infection but the gaps in my teeth do bother me. I'm considering the possibility of having bridges instead or maybe just getting used to being toothless! As the Venetoclax affects my immunity I get quite a few mouth ulcers and find bicarbonate of soda applied neat last thing at night works well.