Dental fillings

Posted , 9 users are following.

i am due to go to the dentist tomorrow and will probably need an injection and a new filling to replace the one that fell out.  is it adviseable to increase my pred medication.?  I am on 12.5 at the moment.  bee on preds for 2 months now.  Starting at 20 mg but doing ok at 12.5.

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi maria4995

    It would be a good idea to ask your rheumy if you should up your dose of preds before dental treatment..your dentist should be aware you are taking steroids......best wishes...

  • Posted

    No real reason why not - I never have. I have had a wisdom tooth out while on pred and later a ceramic inlay fitted without any problems at all. Like you I was worried - the dentist wasn't in the least fazed!

    You are still above what is called the physiological dose (the same amount as your body would make anyway) and you aren't expecting big surgery.  It used to be said that pred dose should be increased for surgery - going to have a filling isn't what you'd call surgery - but the more recent attitude is that you should stick at your usual dose and then see how you are. If you feel unwell you could take a bit more immediately afterwards.

    But do make sure you tell the dentist - perhaps phone beforehand and ask. But I really don't think it is a problem.

  • Posted

    Hi Maria!

    I don't think there's any need to increase pred, I had a root canal filling where the dentist had to open up the tooth completely and remove the nerve and I was fine.

    Just make sure your dentist is aware of your level of medication and you'll be fine.

    best wishes

    Andrea xx

  • Posted

    maria49950, on Pred for 2 months and down to 12.5 that a rapid reducing. Sounds like your Rheumy and mine are rushing off the Pred. As long as you feel good, okay but if discomfort start I would jump up 5 mg or so for 3 days, see how you feel, then drop back to 12.5. Which method are you using to taper? Good luck on the rest of your journey. Think positive and try to smile. Smiling 🙂

  • Posted

    Hi Maria, Make sure your dentist knows you are on prednisone.  He might want to prescribe prophylactic antibiotics since your immune system is probably compromised by prednisone.

    Good Luck!

  • Posted

    I had a tooth pulled and a cap inserted on 6 mgs earlier this year.  The dentist's only concern was that I wasn't taking Alendronate Sodium (generic Fosanex).  I also had knee replacement this year, again on 6 mgs.  The dentist and surgeon were aware of the PMR and pred use.  I am currently reducing to 5 1/2 mgs with no flare so far.  In fact, my new knee is causing me to be more active, can walk the dog and other physical activities that I haven't done for a long time.  I feel a bit stiff in the morning and I have a bad hip but it all seems to go away as the day progresses.  I was diagnosed Jan 2016 but may have had PMR 6 mo to a year before given prednisone.

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.