Dentist

[aladymo]

I broke a tooth today and I know I have read previous posts about going to the dentist and letting the dentist know what medication you’re on. Why is this please ? I have PMR and GCA. ( LV Vasculitis)

[alvertta]

They will want to know about prednisone if you need an extraction and if you are on the bone protector medication that effects your teeth. I just had a tooth pulled and the dental surgeon gave me extra Pred before the surgery. I was on 25 mg prednisone that day.

[SnazzyD]

Prednisolone can delay healing and make bleeding more likely, it’s not necessarily a deal breaker but forewarned is forearmed. If you were on warfarin that would be even more important for bleeding. The Bidphosphonate bone protectors can cause other issues and sometimes a dentist will prefer work to be carried out in a hospital setting as a precaution due to osteonecrosis of the jaw. Here is a patient advice sheet I found online. It isn’t a problem for minor dental fixes.

westsuffolkccg.nhs.uk/wp-co...

[aladymo in reply to SnazzyD]

Thank you, great article.

[Hidden]

Good replies from alvertta & SnazzyD

I really don’t have anything to add other than take extra Pred with you.

Good Luck 🍀

[PMRpro Ambassador]

You should always tell healthcare professionals what medication you take - and they should always ask.

If you are on low doses of pred you MAY (not necessarily) need a bit more the day of any procedure, on higher doses you shouldn't. If you are on bisphosphonates there may be a longer term problem with the bone healing around a socket so they prefer to avoid major invasive dental procedures when on it and some dentists refuse to do invasive work - they prefer to send you to hospital.

[Sandradsn]

We should always tell the dentist which medicines we are on,they should update our records each visit.

[Sanjeevandatta]

They will want to know about prednisone if you need an extraction and if you are on the bone protector medication that effects your teeth. I just had a tooth pulled and the dental surgeon gave me extra Pred before the surgery. I was on 25 mg prednisone that day.

[blisskindental]

They will want to know about prednisone if you need an extraction and if you are on the bone protector medication that affects your teeth. I just had a tooth pull and the dental surgeon gave me extra Pred before the surgery.