If you’ve heard of dental implants, you probably already know that they’re considered the gold standard when it comes to replacing missing teeth. Thanks to their unique placement method directly into the patient’s jawbone, they’re capable of restoring the entire structure of lost teeth and imparting several unique benefits that promote awesome oral health moving forward. But if you have missing teeth that you’d like replaced with implants, you might be worried that your rheumatoid arthritis could potentially influence your eligibility. Here’s what you need to know about this condition and how it can sometimes interfere with dental implants.
How Does Rheumatoid Arthritis Affect Dental Implants?
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that’s characterized by swollen and painful joints. Symptoms usually include swelling, pain, and stiffness around the affected joints, as well as fever and fatigue. There’s no known cure for the disease, but its symptoms can be effectively managed with medication.
Since it’s an autoimmune disease, it can cause your body’s immune system to attack healthy cells. This can manifest as inflammation, which needless to say, can make it more difficult for your body to heal up after undergoing procedures like dental implant placement. Additionally, some of the medications that are prescribed to patients with RA ultimately end up having an adverse effect on your body’s healing capabilities.
It’s also worth mentioning that since the disease can target your hands, wrists, and fingers, patients with RA generally experience mobility issues and decreased flexibility, which can negatively impact the ability to perform self-care and personal hygiene tasks like brushing, flossing, etc. Impeccable oral hygiene is one of the key requirements for dental implants, so if you aren’t able to brush well due to your condition, your implants will suffer.
Preparing for Dental Implants
You should know that patients with rheumatoid arthritis aren’t automatically disqualified from receiving dental implants—but they do face a harder path than those without the condition. That said, if you have RA and you’re willing to commit to leading a healthy lifestyle that favors your implants, there are a few considerations you’ll have to take:
- Consistent oral hygiene is paramount before, during, and after dental implant placement. Brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day, floss daily, and use antibacterial mouthwash to ensure your mouth is healthy enough to house dental implants.
- If your condition makes brushing difficult, consider using accessible alternatives such as an electric toothbrush, a Waterpik, etc.
- Monitor your sugar intake to lower the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, or other issues that might compromise your dental health.
- Regular dental visits ensure that there aren’t any underlying oral health issues that might affect your dental implants.
The bottom line is that rheumatoid arthritis can make life complicated, especially in the dental implant department. However, things aren’t entirely hopeless, and you shouldn’t count yourself out without speaking with your provider about your eligibility; with a little knowledge and some sensible lifestyle changes, you can easily facilitate implants and regain a beautiful, functional smile!
About the Practice
Here at Pinnacle Dental, we’re excited to provide patients and families in Braintree with an exceptional level of dental care! We’re thrilled to offer a vast range of treatment options including high-quality restorations like dental implants for those who need to rebuild their smiles. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to set up a visit for you or a loved one, feel free to contact us online or over the phone for further information or assistance. Telephone: (781) 412-1412.