Multiple Sclerosis Dental Implants
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a degenerative disorder that damages the material protecting the nerve cells of the spinal cord and brain. As a result, messages that would otherwise be transmitted throughout the body are modified, slowed down, blocked, or simply do not transmit at all. Symptoms of MS can vary widely from patient to patient, but may include things such as:
- Numbness
- Prickling sensations
- Memory impairment
- Coordination and balance impairment
- Diminished muscle control
- Partial or full paralysis
Although there is no cure for MS, many patients who are diagnosed with MS will go into partial or even complete remission. Regardless of the severity and current state of your MS, please know that at Coastal Jaw Surgery, we are committed to providing our patients with care and support that is tailored to their unique needs. We will do everything we can to provide you with the necessary dental care to maintain your oral health.
We are also committed to helping you practice good oral care at home. Because MS can impact an individual’s muscle control, performing self-care functions like brushing and flossing one’s teeth can become increasingly difficult. Due to the difficulty and frustrations that come with this, individuals with MS are at an increased risk of developing periodontal disease. If left untreated, this periodontal disease can cause a range of issues to develop, such as gum recessions or tooth loss. If tooth loss does occur, you may consider getting dental implants placed.
To learn more about dental implants for patients with MS, please refer to the following.
Dental Implants for Patients with MS
In general, most periodontists do not recommend traditional dentures if other treatment options are available, but this is especially true for patients who have MS. The primary reason this is discouraged is because individuals with MS are already at an increased risk of dry mouth, which can make wearing dentures extremely difficult and uncomfortable. Diminished muscle control and muscle spasticity also make wearing dentures much more difficult and even dangerous for individuals who have MS. As such, when possible we will strongly encourage patients who have MS to consider dental implants or implant supported dentures. Both treatment options will reduce or eliminate many of the drawbacks and dangers of traditional dentures and provide you with a more permanent, natural, and stable solution. To learn more about the dental implant process and what steps we will take to accommodate your needs, please refer to the following.
Customized Care
At Coastal Jaw Surgery, we are committed to providing each of our patients with customized care to ensure they enjoy good oral health and have a smile they feel confident in. During your initial consultation, we will thoroughly review your medical and oral health history and discuss your treatment goals and concerns and what, if any, accommodations you may require. Although we perform thorough evaluations on all of our patients, we understand that patients with MS often struggle to identify or pinpoint areas of pain or discomfort. We also understand that patients with MS are more likely to develop trigeminal neuralgia or numbness in the jaws, teeth, and lips, which is why we perform an exhaustive analysis before determining your treatment plan.
One of the ways we will accommodate your unique needs is scheduling your appointments at a time that is best suited for you, whether that be early morning or whenever your energy level is at its highest. We are also happy to schedule shorter appointments, as we understand extended treatments can be more difficult to sustain for patients with MS. If it is necessary to schedule a longer appointment, we are happy to provide frequent five-to-ten minute breaks to help avoid issues such as fatigue, stress, or muscle spasms.
We will also make sure that while any procedure is being performed that you are seated at a 45-degree angle, as this will ensure you are able to breathe easily. We also have a mouth prop that may be used to relieve exertion from having to hold your mouth open for long periods of time.
Home Care for Patients with MS
In addition to our commitment to providing you with natural feeling, looking, and functioning dental implants, we are also committed to making sure you continue to enjoy your new dental implants and are educated on self-care habits that you can follow to reduce your risk of developing oral health issues. For example, one common symptom among patients with MS is reduced production of saliva and limited tongue mobility, both of which can inhibit an individual’s ability to swallow or ingest food. Because of this, food particles are more likely to be left in the mouth for extended periods of time, which can cause periodontal disease to develop. In addition to brushing and flossing your teeth, we strongly recommend rinsing your mouth with water following every meal in order to wash away any food particles that may not have been properly swallowed.
Individuals whose MS has progressed may find it increasingly difficult to brush and floss their teeth. In this case, we may recommend hiring a personal care physician to help you do so at home. Additionally, more frequent periodontal maintenance every three or four months may also be encouraged. During these visits, we will perform a thorough cleaning and have an opportunity to evaluate the status of your oral health. If an issue is identified, it is best to correct it as early and as quickly as possible, and these regular visits will ensure that issues are not allowed to progress unnecessarily.
Contact Us Today
At Coastal Jaw Surgery, we are committed to providing you with quality dental care and making your experience as smooth as possible. If you have questions or concerns about dental implants or would like to discuss accommodations with regards to managing your MS throughout the dental implant procedure, contact us today at (800) NEW-LOOK or fill out an online form at https://coastaljaw.com/appointment-request/