Multiple Sclerosis Dental Implants

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a progressive disease in the central nervous system that attacks the brain and spinal cord. Often resulting in partial or full paralysis, MS is a degenerative neuromuscular disorder. There is no known cure for MS but remissions, both partial and complete, are common.

The material that protects the nerve cells, known as the myelin sheath, is impaired with Multiple Sclerosis causing the messages that travel between the brain and body to slow down or get block. This demyelination can cause:

  • Nerve conduction speed is decreased
  • Partial blockage of nerve conduction
  • Change in the manner nerve impulses transmit
  • Complete nerve impulse transmission failure

Multiple Sclerosis can be potentially disabling, and the symptoms include poor coordination, muscle control, balance, memory, numbness, and tingling sensations. Patients diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis are susceptible to unnecessary pain and dental procedures due to their failure to realize the impact MS can have on oral health. Preventative care and treatment can significantly improve the lives and health of patients suffering from the debilitating disease.

Dental Issues for Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Patients suffering from Multiple Sclerosis often experience parallel dental health issues. One such issue is muscle weakening and the eventual loss of control. With reduced or no muscle control, MS patients often have difficulty performing routine dental hygiene habits like flossing and brushing. Pharmacies or the patient’s dentist can provide modified flossing and brushing aids and when appropriate, caregivers are advised to assist with oral care.
Failure to properly clean the teeth allows bacteria and plaque to accumulate leading to periodontal diseases, infections, tooth decay, cavities, and potential tooth loss. Some of these conditions are directly related to the patient experiencing trouble in:

  • Swallowing food
  • Using their tongue
  • Producing saliva

The symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis often make it difficult for patients to stay relaxed while at the dentist’s office. Examinations can therefore be prolonged leading to MS symptoms such as stress, muscle spasms, and fatigue to arise. The stress and anxiety related to dentist exams could cause MS patients to avoid the dentist altogether which further exacerbates any dental issues. To minimize any discomfort, dental appointments should be shorter and preferably in the morning when symptoms are minimal. Should longer appointments be necessary, short breaks should be taken every 30 minutes.

Multiple Sclerosis patients may also have difficulty or the inability to identify the source of the discomfort or pain. Because of this, care is needed to properly diagnose dental conditions before undergoing root canal or tooth extraction. Patients with Multiple Sclerosis can also develop trigeminal neuralgia, a chronic pain condition affecting the facial nerves. Temporary numbness in the jaws, lips, and teeth have also been reported.

Patients with advanced Multiple Sclerosis could have difficulty wearing dentures (partial or full). Because dry mouth is a common MS symptom, talking and eating will become more difficult particularly if wearing dentures. The aforementioned lack of muscle control will make it more difficult for MS patients to maintain denture fit once advanced symptoms begin to manifest.

Dry mouth (xerostomia) can also be exacerbated by certain medications like muscle-relaxants, corticosteroids, antidepressants, and immune-suppressants. Xerostomia can stimulate the growth of cavities and onset of periodontal disease. To combat dry mouth, patients are encouraged to keep their mouth hydrated, use salivary substitutes, and may be advised to have fluoride treatments.

Dental Implants for Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Given the number of dental conditions that can arise as a result of Multiple Sclerosis, finding suitable restoration options for missing teeth can be a challenge. While traditional dentures may be an option under normal circumstances, they are often unsuitable for MS patients. Numbness in the lips, teeth, and jaws are common with MS and as the disease progresses, partial or total facial paralysis can result. This can make it extremely challenging for MS patients to wear traditional dentures.

Fortunately for patients suffering from Multiple Sclerosis, dental implants can offer solutions to the issues commonly associated with traditional removable dentures. Whereas traditional dentures simply rest on the patient’s gums, dental implants support a restorative crown or bridge via metal posts that are surgically implanted into the jawbone. The small titanium posts fuse with the bone tissue through a process known as osseointegration and serve as replacement tooth roots for the lost teeth. Once the implants fully fuse with the jawbone, an abutment and prosthesis are mounted to create a sturdy, fully functional replacement tooth.

While the surgery for placing dental implants can be performed in the dentist or oral surgeon’s office on an outpatient basis, the entire process of getting the implants through mounting the restoration takes a number of months. Patients will require a number of months to heal and allow the dental implants to properly fuse with the jawbone. Typically, patients may need two to three months for this to occur but patients with underlying medical conditions affecting their immune systems, such as Multiple Sclerosis, may require additional time.

Dental Implant Considerations

While Multiple Sclerosis patients are likely eager to resolve their dental concerns as quickly as possible, there are number of things they should consider when evaluating if dental implants are right for them:

  • Duration of Treatment: As previously mentioned, sitting for long periods in a dentist’s chair can be uncomfortable for some MS patients. Additionally, the process of getting dental implants will require multiple visits to the dentist, requires several months to heal, and because surgery is involved, infection or complications are always possible. If that could be problematic for the patient, dental implants may not be a viable solution.
  • Insurance Coverage & Cost: Many dental insurance carriers consider dental implants to be an elective, rather than medically necessary, procedure. As such, dental implants are often partially covered or not covered at all by insurance companies. This can greatly influence the cost incurred by the patient. Given that cost can range from $3,000 to $30,000+ depending on the number of implants needed, patients should always check with their insurance carrier to determine coverage prior to undergoing treatment.

While the process for getting dental implants can be involved, time consuming, and costly, the end results for patients is clear. Dental implants offer a solid solution to restore functionality, oral health, and appearances.

Natural Looking Dental Implants