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Recently I had a root canal and now I have a loose tooth!

Posted , 7 users are following.

leonard12916
leonard12916

I have been on Pred for almost 2 years and presently am taking 10mg.  In the last 6 months I've had 2 cracked teeth and last month had a root canal.  Today I see I have a loose tooth which may well be the one the root canal was done on!  I'm in a dilemma about this all.  My dentist has told me he has not seen anyone over the years have dental issues when on Pred. but I think it sure is affecting my teeth.  I wonder if any of you have had similar issues and have any general advice regarding increasing dosage when dental work is done and having a bridge constructed if a tooth comes out,  What are my choices if any here?

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • barbara75814
    barbara75814 leonard12916

    Posted

    Leonard - I can't be of any real help because I don't know whether dental problems are caused by the pred and/or what choices you have--

    However, your situation makes me want to write and say I hope someone with appropriate knowledge will jump on here soon and give you the advice you need. I assume you've checked the internet. 

    I will be interested in following this, and meantime send all good wishes for solutions to your dilemma. You're going through an awful lot, it sounds like like. 

  • MrsO-UK_Surrey
    MrsO-UK_Surrey leonard12916

    Posted

    Leonard, I sympathise as I seemed to have endless problems with my teeth during my years on steroids.  However, whether that was due to Pred or just age-related, it is difficult to say.  I also wonder whether the fact that I was not prescribed the usual calcium + Vit D meds alongside the steroids may have been the cause.  Whatever, I had several new crowns and a few new deep fillings, one of which caused immediate neuralgia-type stabbing pains in my face (possibly a weak spot due to having GCA alongside PMR).  Another filling has not been a complete success, and although having been repeated, it seems there is obviously a crack in the root somewhere although it cannot be seen on X-ray.

    You don't need to increase the Pred dose during routine dental work but occasionally a dentist might suggest doing so if actual surgery is to be carried out.  Having said that, I know of several people who have had extractions whilst on Pred without increasing their dose.  

    If you are taking Alendronic Acid for osteoporosis, then many dentists will refer such patients to hospital for dental surgery due to the risk of any long term AA treatment having weakened the jaw bone.

    As far as your choices of necessary dental work are concerned, only your dentist can advise you on this.

  • paul45653
    paul45653 leonard12916

    Posted

    I had not thought about a connection of dental problems and pred untill your post. Although quite on in years, my teeth had slways been my pride. ive been on pred for a year and have had one tooth root weaken to require extraction, another tooth had a piece break off the front and a third had a third of tooth crack off needing a crown All in the last six months. Only ststistics will provide a hint. At any rate it gets expensive.

    • MrsO-UK_Surrey
      MrsO-UK_Surrey paul45653

      Posted

      Paul, are you taking a calcium supplement?  

      Just been commiserating with my hubby who has returned from the dentist as a crown on one of his front teeth came out yesterday.  Dentist can't replace it as the root is cracked and an X-ray showed an infection above the other front tooth which the dentist has said is not strong enough to take a bridge.  His only choice is to have the the one front root removed and the other front tooth extracted.  There is already a gap alongside following the loss of a tooth years ago so the dentist said his best option is a couple of implants and a bridge, total cost £5,000!  And he's never taken steroids....but he is getting ancient!

    • paul45653
      paul45653 MrsO-UK_Surrey

      Posted

      Now I dont feel so bad. Tell your hubby I feel for his problems. I've yet to meet someone who likes a trip to the dentist.
    • MrsO-UK_Surrey
      MrsO-UK_Surrey paul45653

      Posted

      Good luck with your latest loose tooth - hopefully that will be the end of your dental problems for a long time to come.  Be sure to include plenty of calcium in your diet and use Sensodyne pronamel protective toothpaste.
    • MrsO-UK_Surrey
      MrsO-UK_Surrey

      Posted

      Sorry, my reply obviously was meant for Leonard!  Brain fog!  Can no long blame steroids though!
  • leonard12916
    leonard12916

    Posted

    Thanks Mrs. O for your suggestions and sharing your experience.  I have a dental appointment in the morning tomorrow but it's not likely to help much as it appears the tooth will come out on its own soon enough.  I only hope it isn't a sign of more of the same to come!

     

  • leonard12916
    leonard12916

    Posted

    I saw my dentist today and it turns out the crown was loose on the tooth I had the root canal done on last month.  He removed it only to discover decay under the crown which had weakened the tooth so much it was irreparable.  He ended up taking out the root to prevent infection.  I now wonder if I should immediately be increasing my dose of Prednisone from the 10 mg I'm on.  After the root canal was done on this same tooth last month my body ached terribly for 2 days afterwards and then took a number of days to totally settle.  At that time I maintained my dose of 10 mg but probably should have increased it.  One other question is if I increase my dose, how much should it be and for how long?  Any thoughts?
    • MrsO-UK_Surrey
      MrsO-UK_Surrey leonard12916

      Posted

      Leonard, occsionally, some patients are advised to increase their dose for a day or so before and after any surgery, including some dental surgery.  Route canal work can sometimes be a bit of a traumatic experience in some cases and if you felt stressed and tense during the procedure that may have contributed to you having a bit of a flare for a few days. If extracting the root went smoothly yesterday, wihout needing too many incisions and stitches, and if you managed to remain relaxed during the process, then you may not have a repeat of the experience - how do you feel this morning?  I assume you will have been given antibiotics if it was a difficult root extraction.  If you do decide to increase your dose, just a couple of mgs should be sufficient, and if you have been feeling well at 10mg, then you should be able to return straight to that dose after a just a few days, depending on your symptoms.  Bet you're glad that's over and done with!    
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