Dental Work

[Maur1]

I have arranged with dentist to have 6 old veneers replaced. Has anyone had this type of work done while on Prednisolone? I am currently on 7.5mg. I'd be grateful for any advice.

[SusanJF]

Hi Maur1,

I was told by my dentist a few months ago that I’d need to double up on my Pred if I was to have any dental treatment. Not sure if it’s a 1 day dose though!

[Primarose]

Hi Maur1, I had dental work done while on 10mgs of pred. I asked my dentist if there would be a problem and she said not at all.

You could mention it to your dentist before treatment just to make sure.

[SheffieldJane]

I was absolutely fine having 2 root canals done on around your dose. I took a couple of extra mgs for the stress of it. If you are on Alendronic Acid or similar you will need to have medical advice. I think the anaesthetic was minus Adrenalin, I can’t remember why, something about fainting I think.

[Joaclp]

On 7 mg of prednisone I had 5 crowns and 9 fillings. The fact that I needed so much work has been blamed on long-term pred use but also may be due to dry mouth from Sjőgrens. My teeth just started falling apart in the past year. Age? 😁😆😁😷

[Odosmum in reply to Joaclp]

Sjögrens, definitely. Reduced saliva causes all sorts of dental problems.

[Joaclp in reply to Odosmum]

Thank you for this validation. Do you have Sjögrens? I have a history of seronegative RA and confirmed Sjögrens, and I know my symptoms were different from those of PMR. I am certain that I have PMR, but my rheumatologist is waffling about the diagnosis. (He just happens to be the one who suggested in the first place that I might have polymyalgia!)

[Odosmum in reply to Joaclp]

Yes I do. Rheumy says I could have primary rather than secondary but doesn't want to pursue the diagnosis as the meds I take are for RA not Sjögrens. I was diagnosed with serum negative RA 24 years ago and the symptoms of Sjögrens have developed over the last 10 years. I developed PMR nearly 2 years ago (Christmas time) and it was a classic case - shoulders and pelvic girdle pain, profound exhaustion - worse than the normal fatigue of RA. I knew what it was before going to the go (thank you Dr Google). Managed on low dose pred until August of that year when I developed temple pain. Consultant diagnosed GCA from bloods and symptoms. Down to 8.5mg now, but struggling to keep it there. I keep having to go back to 10mg and reduce from there. I have found the split dose effective and hope to stick here for a while. Dentist has recommended gum containing xylitol, high fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash. Saliva sprays are quite good too, but you have to use them several times a day as the effects don't last.

[polymy]

I had a dental implant while on 7.5mg pred. There was no problem.

Liz.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I had a ceramic inlay done and a wisdom tooth extracted while on about 10mg. I also am on anticoagulant therapy and fully expected to have to have it done in hospital but they looked at me as if I was crackers (I live in Italy). The dentist wasn't in the least fazed and they were both absolutely fine, the wisdom tooth healed quickly too.

[Maur1]

Many thanks for all the replies re Dental Work. I feel reassured.