dental problems

[daffodill2]

does anyone know if you can have dental implants with lupus?

[MusicalFurbaby]

Hi daffodil, what kind of implants are you thinking about?

I just spoke to my jaw surgeon about TMJ replacement surgery, because I was worried about how lupus might attack the new joints. He said he has a few patients with lupus who have responded very well to the new parts. These parts are made of titanium and a hard-wearing plastic.

It might depend on what your implants are made of? I know certain materials, such as silicone, tend to break down after a while. Hope this helps ☺️🌻

[SH55]

I’ve had 4 implants which are very successful. Titanium. No problems at all. Go for it.

[dg70]

Just going for my first implant next week so glad you raised the question. My dentist didn't seem to be too worried but we're starting with a small one. I have one gap that needs bovine bone graft but again he wasn't too worried. He is a dental surgeon at Bristol hospital too so I hope I'm in pretty good hands. I have lupus and sjogrens. Perhaps do your research. Not all implant dentists are great I've been told.

[daffodill2 in reply to dg70]

thanks for reassuring me, What is the cost or is it covered ?

[JEM23 in reply to dg70]

hi dg70, this is really interesting as I am having problems with my teeth and have lupus and secondary sjogtrens and also live in the same area as you. Are you able to dm me with the name of your specialist please

[dg70 in reply to JEM23]

I tried a couple of dentists since moving to Calne a couple of years ago from London, I had a fantastic dentist in London and I miss him. I always go private as it seems the only option these days. I am going to High Street Dental Practice in Chippenham. I see Chris Lambert Rose for every day dental as he is a highly qualified dentist who is also an expert witness for dental in Court so I guessed he would be good. I see Gerry Davies for implants, who is lovely, and he teaches dental at Bristol University as well, so again well qualified. I figured if I'm paying I may as well try and find the best I can for my money and that may have at least heard of Sjogrens and how to deal with it! One of the dental hygienists has Sjogrens but only just diagnosed with it. I see Gerry next week for my titanium fixing to be implanted (like a rawplug) and then I have to wait for two months to see if it rejects or not. Then they fit the tooth if all ok. I'm fed up with eating mainly soft food because of sensitive sore gums where teeth used to be, so I hope it works. I am early fifties and he said the younger you do implants the better the chances of them working. I don't know about you but my dental routine has upped several gears as I don't want to lose more teeth if I can help it. I brush three times a day and use floss and interdental sticks every day. I try not to let my mouth dry out too by using xylimelts, water and dry mouth mouthwashes. Trouble is the damage was done before I got diagnosed last year, so I'm expecting more trouble with the teeth and more cost. Shame we can't get at least some help with the cost from the nhs as it's not our fault our teeth are rotting and falling out but I accept that I have to pay, its just a shame it costs so much per tooth. I hope you're on top of your teeth at the moment but I think its so important to find specialists who understand our condition especially if we are paying them. I try and get recommendations where I can or do online research.

[Paprika60 in reply to dg70]

I read your post with much interest. I am in the middle of having a major bridge work done. Three bridges making up twelve teeth. Basically all of my upper teeth except one on each side. My dentist of twenty odd years just retired when I had to get the work done so I had to settle for a completely new dentist who has a lovely manner...however it has been a very trying and disastrous experience. After spending six months, I have finally got the teeth installed but more problems. So now I am thinking I need to find another dentist. This is costing an earth...

I wonder if you could please let me know who your London dentist is. I would be grateful for his name. Also have you tried Waterpik? It is a great. I too spend so much time maintaining my teeth. Good luck with all your upcoming dental procedure.

[dg70 in reply to Paprika60]

I used to live in Croydon and I went to Farleigh Dental in Selsdon. Cavan Barratt was my dentist, South African and very good. He doesn't do implants but he recommended a dentist in central london who did implants and whom he would go to. Cavan was great with all other dental work. he did warn not all dentists are good with implants and other more complex dental work and to watch out. He was always happy to recommend someone as I said for things he did not do. I did have a waterpik but we lost it in a move a long time ago. I hadn't thought about one but I may try again. I agree dental work costs a bomb and we who have our teeth under attack on a daily basis have to suffer constant cost.

[Paprika60 in reply to dg70]

Thank you very much! Strangely enough my old dentist who retired would not recommend anybody... I was genuinely surprised by this. He handed me and all other patients to the dentist who took over the partnership. Not right. Finding a right dentist is a huge challenge. A word of mouth is not good enough it seems. 😂

[dg70 in reply to Paprika60]

You could put the word out if you're not in south london and see if anyone has a good dentist. I researched well qualified dentists, rang around asking if they have heard of sjogrens syndrome and how to keep on top of it and found the one I have here in Wiltshire. It took a couple of months and I visited two which I didn't feel happy with first before picking the one I have now. I hope you find someone soon. 👍🦷

[Paprika60 in reply to dg70]

Thank you! More diligence and resesarch! Take care and good luck with your forthcoming procedure.

[Pippydo]

I’ve had two dental implants and been fine no problems at all. Five years on they are still great, I have yearly checkups on them to make sure screws haven’t moved. Good luck!

[Skiathos22]

I had four dental implants with a removable bridge a few years before my Lupus diagnosis. My Lupus diagnosis was 5 years ago and the implants are about 9 years old, the operation was carried out by a MaxFax surgeon in hospital. I see him once a year and no problems yet!

[dg70]

No I don't think its ever covered by any insurance or nhs. It will cost roughly £2,000 for a back upper large tooth. If you need bone grafting then it adds maybe another £1,000. Apparently upper teeth more often than not do not have enough bone to place the tooth holder in to so a graft is often needed. From what I understood its placed into your gum and within a period of time you absorb it and it becomes as if it were your own bone. Rejection can happen with any implant but I understand its more uncommon than common. Just fed up with gaps in my teeth and sore gums. I've only got three to do so we'll see how it goes. There was no other option for me as many of my teeth have a slight wobble so a bridge was out. All in all I was told it takes about three to four months of about two or three procedures and you pay in increments so you don't have to pay it all up front at once if you don't want to. It's a big decision. It costs about £100 or so for a consultation so you could start there and see.

[daffodill2 in reply to dg70]

Thanks for your advice.

[MrsMarigold]

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[Paprika60 in reply to MrsMarigold]

This link doesn't work at all. It says not valid. Could you do this again please. My current dentist also didn't inform me of all the consequences of doing something new. He did a very good sale pitch on having gold coping on my real teeth (for far better protection he said) before gluing the final bridge teeth and it turned out the gold coping made the bridge teeth shaped much bigger and longer! I was so shocked and dismayed. But too late to say to dismantle the whole thing. Really dishonest I am so annoyed. I am so tempted to leave him but we still have resolved bridge work left! I am completely trapped.

[MrsMarigold in reply to Paprika60]

hi Paprika. I just tried the link and it works fine. Not sure what to do💜

[Paprika60 in reply to MrsMarigold]

How strange! I have tried many times but it comes as unauthorised. Oh well...

Thanks nevertheless.

[MrsMarigold in reply to Paprika60]

I think if you google biofilm with dental implants you will gather alot of information

[MrsMarigold]

The above link gives another perspective on implants whether or not you have lupus. I got an implant by a dentist that helped formulate the devices and teaches still. My implant took to the bone very well. But in 8 years I have this biofilm bacteria. He cuts out the gum near implant and washes and sterilizes the bone and implant. Stitches it back up. Unfortunately this process cracks the crown so a new crown is ordered.

I’m not upset that I have my implant. But I think I should have been informed of this side effect. He downplayed this effect; but could not the second time as information was beginning to be acknowledged and explored of this biofilm.

When the molar next to the implant had to go I had no desire for implant. He pulled it and yay! I don’t miss it. I will choose bridges

Since I seem to attract the biofilm. Let us know how it goes for you! Best, MrsMarigold

[daffodill2 in reply to MrsMarigold]

thankyou for your advice .

[dg70]

So far went like a breeze. Only took half an hour to fit the plug. Hopefully, if all is well, the tooth will be screwed in in 8 weeks. Bit groggy this afternoon and have to take it easy for a couple of days so I don't split the stitches. I would say a root canal is a far more painful procedure. Hope you find someone to do your teeth soon.