Multiple Sclerosis Dental Implants
Multiple Sclerosis or MS attacks the nervous system through the deterioration of the brain and spinal cord. This progressive condition specifically causes more and more damage to the neuromuscular systems by breaking down the myelin sheath around the nervous tissue. Demyelination removes the fatty protective layer of the myelin sheath to prevent the brain from properly communicating with the nerve cells. These messages from the brain to the body and back to the brain are impaired, hindered, or even obstructed. There is no known cure, but over the course of the disease, in some cases, people can experience partial or even complete remission. If you or a family member has been diagnosed, you can expect to experience degeneration in your balance, muscle control and coordination, and memory. Unfortunately, people with MS endure unnecessary pain and suffering as a result of the feeling of numbness and pins and needles. Despite the challenges in day-to-day life, it is important to take the time to maintain good oral health. You will be able to avoid more painful complications with your oral health
Dental Problems for Patients with MS
Dentists who regularly treat patients with Multiple Sclerosis know that those patients have use for shorter dental appointments usually in the morning. That is the time of day when the patient is less affected by the MS symptoms. The symptoms of MS can flare up during longer appointments so stress, muscle spasms and fatigue can be minimized with five to ten minute breaks every half hour if longer appointments are unavoidable. Additionally, the dental chair should be adjusted to a 45 degree angle to keep the patient’s airway clear and unobstructed for ideal breathing conditions. Because the breathing is affected by specific muscle movement, respiratory complications can result from MS. If the MS has not affected their breathing through the nose, the dentist may use a rubber dam. If the MS prevents the patient from keeping their mouth open for extended periods, the dentist may use a mouth prop. The dentist can work with the patient to help the patient stay comfortable while the dentist works to improve their oral health.
Without having the ability of the nerves to communicate clearly and effectively from the body to the brain, patients with MS may not be able to pinpoint the exact location where there is pain or sensitivity in their mouth. Careful and deliberate diagnostic procedures will help the dentist before performing procedures like root canal therapy or tooth extractions to alleviate dental discomfort. Trigeminal neuralgia on one or both sides of their mouth, or temporary numbness in the lips, jaws, and teeth, is common in more advanced cases of MS. This numbness further complicates the dentist’s ability to diagnose and treat dental problems. Depending on how the MS manifests in other patients, partial or total paralysis in the face can require more creative tactics for dental appointments and at home dental care.
In order for a dentist to be able to properly treat a patient with MS, the patient should confirm the office can accommodate their wheelchair before the dental appointment. In order for the patients to be comfortable and for the dentist to achieve the best results from the dental treatment, the dentist may be able to offer sedation options or even general anesthesia.
At home daily dental cleaning routines may be more difficult without full muscle control; brushing and flossing with proper techniques may no longer be an option. Without being able to clean their teeth and gums thoroughly and consistently, bacteria build up can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. If the dentist is experienced with patients who suffer from MS, the dentist may be able to suggest modified aids and approaches for flossing and brushing. Patients with MS and patients without MS who cannot remove the bacteria from their teeth and gums are more likely to have tooth damage or even tooth loss. Multiple Sclerosis causes problems with the neuromuscular system which can lead to cavities, periodontal disease and infections. The full use of their tongue, problems chewing and swallowing their food, and low production of saliva are other symptoms of MS that also lead to dental problems.
Dentures and Dental Implants
Tooth loss is inevitable if the patient goes too long with untreated tooth decay or gum disease, multiple sclerosis or not. Other people may already have dentures or partial dentures before they are diagnosed with MS and it damages their mouth. Depending on how their MS manifests, patients may not have the option to use full or even partial dentures. When MS leaves the patient with dry mouth, eating or talking with the dentures can become even more problematic. Once the MS has impacted their face and mouth muscle control, the dentures are even less likely to remain in place.
If the patient already has dentures or the patient needs dentures, the dentist may recommend dental implants. The implants can be used to replace the dentures or to support the dentures. Because dental implants are fused with the jaw bone, they can be used to secure the dentures in place with the sturdiness of natural teeth. When the dentures use dental implants, the dentures are unlikely to dislodge while eating or talking.
What To Avoid If You Have Multiple Sclerosis
If xerostomia or dry mouth is already a symptom of your MS, both full and partial dentures are not going to be an ideal solution to your tooth loss. If you suffer from muscle spasms as a result of your MS, even wearing the dentures may prove to be too problematic. If your MS is more advanced, dentures could be dangerous and cause choking. Instead of traditional dentures, dental implants used with dentures keep them in place. Eating, talking, and even muscle spasms won’t move the dentures.
Conclusion
If you have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, the way that you care for your teeth at home will change, the way that you receive dental treatments will change, and the best options for tooth replacements will change too. With nearly one million adults living with MS, plenty of dentists have been able to optimize their offices and techniques to offer comfortable and complete dental care for them.