Concern about possible tooth extraction

[maria40]

I've read several posts from PMR sufferers who have had difficulty with tooth extractions. I think they have been mainly those who have taken bisphosphonates in some form or other, which I have not, but I'm concerned about how 18 yrs of steroid taking may have affected my jaw bone. I lost an old filling last week and my new dentist says a crown may not last for long as there is too little tooth left to support it and an extraction may be the only solution. I am to have a consultation with the surgery specialist after X-rays have been taken at the hospital. Does anyone else have similar experience and advice? I would be grateful.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Can't match 18 years of pred, a mere 9 years for me! However, last year I had a wisdom tooth removed - no problems at all. I was terrified - as I also take an anticoagulant. The dentist was totally laid-back about it and he was right! Discuss it with the specialist - they really do know about these things!

But really - why has HU decided to award your post a related tag of trigger finger?????????

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

Very good question! Perhaps it knows something we don’t...the mind boggles.

[maria40 in reply to PMRpro]

It''s a puzzle to me - don't even know what it means in this context!

[JulieR2]

Hi there I have had four root canal fillings one after another and lost a front tooth. All of which the dentist couldn’t explain. He thought it may have been it was my weak spot! But it could be coincidence I have only been on steroids for 18 months! It could of course be I am falling apart generally tooth implant planned for September.

[Marilyn1959]

Hi Maria, I needed difficult tooth extraction a few months back and was concerned a) because I was taking steroids, b) because I had previously had to have two ops (one under local and one under general anaesthetic) to file my Crumbling jaw bone (shards of bone sticking out of jaw into mouth, cutting tongue (Ouch!) in addition to having osteopenia aa well as being a smoker! However, despite the difficulty dentist had extracting the double b****r, recovery was fine. I did asl dentist for standby prescription for antibiotics, though didn't need it. Hope all goes well.

[SheffieldJane]

It’s the next step that worries me with my crown newly cemented in. If it fails the extraction would be a small one but what about having a new tooth fitted with a post? My dentist says that he doesn’t usually give intravenous Diazepam to patients over 60. Don’t we get terrified too?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SheffieldJane]

I'm with your dentist on that. At our age we are fairly likely to already have atrial fibrillation - generally mild and we may not even be aware of it. One documented, albeit rare, side effect of i.v. diazepan is atrial fibrillation. I speak from experience!!!

[SheffieldJane in reply to PMRpro]

Oh dear! And I thought he was being young and keen and tactless. No Hollywood smile for me then. ☹️

[Janstr in reply to SheffieldJane]

If you are on AA be careful before having an implant. Besides the increased risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw, there is I believe an increased risk of an implant failing due to the way AA changes he way bone forms. I got this information from a site my dentist referred me to. Apologies but I can't relocate it.

[SheffieldJane in reply to Janstr]

Thankfully my DEXA scan results were really good and I was able to successfully refuse Alendronic Acid, finally.

[piglette in reply to SheffieldJane]

My Dexascan results were really good too. That did not stop my GP insisting I had AA as I had been on Pred for a time. I had a big argument and thought I had won only to have the same thing happen the next time I saw him. It was like Groundhog Day. Anyway so far I have resisted and changed doctors.

[Jackoh]

I had a tooth extracted and have also had several crowns and root fillings. I don't take AA but have been on a dose of about 18 mg when I have had a lot of this work done and have had no problems. Wishing you well.

[Reethebeat]

Hi everybody, in answer to the dental problems, Ive been on pred. for 4 years. Recent visit to dentist turned into 4 trips to have root canal filling in back molar (the same tooth) due to infection, which kept reoccuring. Never had a great deal of problems with teeth before, but since then tongue been sore and now earache in other side of my face. Tooth and tongue recovering , more than I can say for my ear. Does grind you down a bit I must admit (excuse pun). Wishing everybody well.

[Flrchrs]

I went to the hospital to have a molar removed yesterday. dentist wouldn't remove because i take AA . The whole experiance at the hospital was bad . 9 injections .stil could feel pain. the dentist managed to break the next tooth aswell tooth. have to get that looked at now more expense.

Since being on preds i've had three molars remove till then nothing so wonder if it is preds that cause it

[SheffieldJane in reply to Flrchrs]

I imagine if there can be a negative impact on your bones it will also apply to teeth. I have had more bother too.

[HeronNS in reply to Flrchrs]

If the dentist broke the tooth why do you have to bear the expense of dealing with it?

[Telian in reply to HeronNS]

Exactly!