Multiple Sclerosis Dental Implants
Dental implants have quickly become the new gold standard for missing teeth restoration treatment. Rather than a dental bridge held in place by adjoining teeth, or a set of dentures held in place with denture adhesive, an implant is a small titanium post surgically placed in the jawbone. Acting as a natural root would, the implant delivers stability, security, biting and chewing pressures as well as temperature change sensations. Jawbone integrity is the primary factor regarding being a viable candidate, but age and health conditions contribute as well.
Issues with Aging
The physiological changes that are associated with growing older can affect every aspect of the body. The cardiovascular system does not adapt as well to the stresses imposed on it, and the arteries can thicken causing an increase in blood pressure.
Skeletal changes also occur, such as osteoporosis, which is characterized by a decrease in bone mass and an increased susceptibility to fractures. This increased fragility and decreased bone density can prevent one from being a good candidate for dental implants.
Elderly patients can also develop a decreased flow of saliva causing a dry mouth, which impacts dental care in numerous ways, such as an alteration or loss of taste, bad breath, difficulty swallowing, tooth decay, yeast infections, gum disease, and burning sensations in the mouth. Many times, the medications taken to combat their illnesses will have an additional drying effect on the mouth, making things that much worse.
The Complications with Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis is a complication in the nervous system that attacks the spinal cord and brain. It impairs the myelin sheath, which is the material that safeguards the nerve cells. As a result, messages that travel to and from the brain and body slow down or get blocked.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an overwhelming disorder yielding dental health complications. One of which is the weakening and the eventual loss of muscle control. This medical disorder makes it harder for the people suffering from MS to perform common dental hygiene habits such as brushing and flossing. Poor dental hygiene will eventually allow bacteria to attack and compromise the teeth’s defenses.
Multiple Sclerosis patients often find it hard to stay relaxed at a dental appointment, which leads to prolonged examinations and dental procedures. The challenge is to keep the appointment as short as possible, as this could cause the patient’s MS symptoms such as fatigue, stress, and muscle spasms to arise.
MS patients who have advanced stages of the disease can experience trouble in wearing dentures, be it full or partial. Since a dry mouth is also a common symptom of MS, eating and talking will become more difficult, especially with dentures. Poor muscle control also makes it harder for MS patients to maintain the fit of the dentures.
As a viable and beneficial solution to this problem, dental implants can be installed for denture support. By now placing four implants, the denture tray can be secured and stabilized these implants, dramatically improving the benefit of the dentures. This still allows for the removal of the artificial for proper cleaning.
It is a wise idea to have a lengthy consultation with the providing dentist to determine what is best for the patient with MS.