Dental implant

[Elispeth]

Hi all. I am wondering if it is safe to have a dental implant whilst having PMR and taking steroids. I have been on prednisolone since 2017 and am relatively well in myself. I have just tapered down to 6.5mg and am pretty stable on that dose. I am having the work done in Spain by a competent dentist who seems to think that there will be no problem. He is advising a short course of antibiotics before the work commences. I am wondering if there are any major health risks associated with this type of dental work? I have already had the tooth out back in June with no problems. Thank you very much for your help with this.

[Bridge31]

I had an implant whilst on 6mg tapering down to 5.5 with no problems.

[Elispeth in reply to Bridge31]

Thank you for replying. That's good to hear. I'm not a medical person and have no idea whether this is advisable or not.

[Janet57]

I’ve had two dental implants whilst on prednisolone. It’s very important to tell the dental surgeon what meds you are taking. They upped mine just for the day of the surgery as this last time I was lucky enough to have my tooth extracted and implant bolt put in the same day. The whole process was fine, including needing some bone graft. I also had a short course of antibiotics. I’m a frightened dental patient but it all went smoothly. Good luck with yours 😊

[Elispeth in reply to Janet57]

Thank you Janet57. That's very helpful. I'm scared when it comes to the dentist too but it's come to the point now where I am desperately in need of an implant. I had a new plate fitted a couple of months ago in the UK and I can't eat with it whilst it is in place and I now talk with a slight lisp! I really hate it. I am going into the surgery on Thursday this week to fill in some paperwork and collect the antibiotics. I will make sure again that the dentist is aware of my current medication.

[Janet57]

I’m so glad I’ve had mine done. Be 100% with the cleaning routine afterwards and they can last for up to 20+ years or more. Once healed you don’t know they are there. Brilliant!

[Elispeth in reply to Janet57]

Thank you 🙏

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Are you taking any OTHER medications? Specifically, a bisphosphonate for bone "protection"?

[Elispeth in reply to PMRpro]

Hi PMRpro. Thank you for your reply. No I have never taken anything like alendronic acid. I take calcium and Vit D on prescription

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Elispeth]

That's OK then.

[Elispeth in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for taking the time to reply

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Elispeth]

Normal procedure for me on the forum - DL and I read everything and always reply when it is needed!!!

[Elispeth in reply to PMRpro]

Your replies are invaluable! It is an enormous help to be able to discuss various health issues to do with PMR on this forum.

[Elispeth in reply to PMRpro]

I also take Lansoprazol, Enalapril and Atorvastatina. All prescribed with the prednisolone

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Elispeth]

As PMRpro has said, dentist [and us] usually only worry when someone is on a bisphosphonate..

[Elispeth in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you Dorset Lady. It's always good to check things out with someone like yourselves who actually knows and understands about PMR. It's a great weight off my mind. As always, thank you! Your help has been invaluable to me over the years x

[SID3 in reply to DorsetLady]

Ah - I was about to start the biphosphonate and am in the middle of the slow implant procedure. Should I hold off on the former?

[Elispeth in reply to SID3]

Hi SID3. I believe that what you have asked is quite an important issue with regards to dental treatment. I would advise getting some specific advice on this from someone who knows more about it. Good luck with your dental treatment

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to SID3]

I should get dental work done first…..

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SID3]

Yes - the documentations tells you to get any potentially required dental work completed and THEN start the bisphosphonate once it is fully healed.

[SID3 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks to you all for good advice today and so often. Happy New Year

[calibriel]

When I had a tooth out my dentist told me to double my pred dose for that day only, and a pharmacist confirmed that was the right thing to do

[Elispeth in reply to calibriel]

Thank you calibriel. I am going to do that too I think. I have an appointment at the dentist on Thursday to go through the paperwork and sort out the antibiotic medication. I am going to mention that to them then.

[Sophiestree]

I'm interested in the fact you are going to Spain. Was that a recommendation? I hear of people going to Turkey and similar but not Spain.

[Elispeth in reply to Sophiestree]

Hi Sophiestree. No, it is a normal dental appointment with my dentist in Spain. We live in Spain for some of the year. Hope you are keeping well yourself

[Sophiestree in reply to Elispeth]

ah yes, I remember now!

[Magictherabbit]

I had 4 implants done in April when I was taking 5 mgs by a top man in London . All went very smoothly with hardly any pain . So glad I had them done . I wish you luck .

[Elispeth in reply to Magictherabbit]

Thank you so much. Its good to hear that all went well for you

[Gimme]

I've had an implant when I was on 5 mg pred.

I am not taking alendronic acid, but the dentist who did my implant was fairly relaxed about doing the work if I had been on the tablets, but would not have been so keen if on the depot injections.

It not just the implant that might raise concerns; the initial extraction can raise concerns too, if on bisphosphonates.