When you have a condition like rheumatoid arthritis, it can complicate many things that patients without RA might take for granted. For example, getting dental implants. These life-changing prosthetics are the only permanent tooth loss solution, but for them to be successful, your body should be healthy and strong. For people with RA, it can complicate healing from dental implant surgery. The good news is that while it’s not an automatic disqualifier, it may make treatment look a little different. Here’s a closer look at how.
Understanding Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease which causes painful swelling in the joints that occur when the body’s immune system attacks its healthy cells. Unfortunately, in addition to this discomfort, RA can also make things like healing from surgery and staying healthy difficult.
How Rheumatoid Arthritis Can Complicate Dental Implant Treatment
Although there is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, there are several medications available that have made tremendous strides in helping sufferers live a healthier, more comfortable life. Unfortunately, however, many of these drugs must suppress the immune system to work, making it harder to fight off infection and heal from procedures like dental implant surgery.
Worse yet, some patients with rheumatoid arthritis find it difficult to perform routine oral hygiene like tooth brushing and flossing. With dental implants, it’s essential that you take impeccable care of your teeth and gums, as things like gum disease and peri-implantitis (a condition similar to gum disease) can increase your risk of dental implant failure.
Getting Dental Implants with Rheumatoid Arthritis
While having rheumatoid arthritis certainly can complicate dental implant treatment, it is not necessarily a dealbreaker. In fact, there are many patients with RA who have successfully restored their smile with these life-changing prosthetics.
To best determine if dental implants could work for you, it is important to schedule a consultation with your dentist. Be sure to disclose your RA, as well as any medications (both prescription and over the counter) that you may be taking. In some cases, your rheumatologist may be able to prescribe a different medication, or for less severe cases, you may be healthy enough to attempt treatment without making any adjustments. Furthermore, it is important to be honest about your current ability to care for your teeth and gums.
Remember, while rheumatoid arthritis may complicate your dental implant treatment, it does not automatically disqualify you from it. To learn more about these restorations and to see if you’re a good candidate, start a conversation with your dentist today.
About Our Practice
At Northern Virginia Oral, Maxillofacial, & Implant Surgery, we want to help restore your healthy, beautiful smile. If you are one of the over 1.3 million Americans that suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, dental implants may still be possible. To learn more about this treatment and to see if you qualify, schedule a consultation for dental implants today by visiting our website or calling 703-736-1640.