According to the American College of Rheumatology, more than 1.3 million Americans have rheumatoid arthritis, making it the most common form of autoimmune arthritis. Typically, it results in stiffness, pain, or tenderness in more than one joint, limiting your mobility in the process. Since this can impede your ability to thoroughly brush and floss your teeth, you may be wondering, “Can I get dental implants with rheumatoid arthritis?” To learn the answer, keep reading!
Factors That Will Influence Your Candidacy for Dental Implants
While having rheumatoid arthritis won’t automatically disqualify you from getting dental implants, it is something your oral surgeon will need to consider for two reasons:
- Improper oral hygiene can result in dental implant failure – The longevity of your dental implant rests heavily on proper oral hygiene. Since rheumatoid arthritis can interfere with your ability to brush and floss your teeth properly, it’s important to consider if maintaining them effectively is a possibility.
- Certain medications suppress your immune system – With an impressive 95% success rate, dental implants rarely fail. When they do, it’s often the result of peri-implantitis (a form of gum disease). Since many medications for rheumatoid arthritis involve suppressing the immune system, patients may be more vulnerable to gum disease.
5 Ways to Keep Your Dental Implants (& Teeth!) Pristine
If you have rheumatoid arthritis and dental implants, there are a few best practices you can implement to help keep your smile in pristine condition, including:
- Visiting your dentist every six months for a dental checkup and cleaning
- Eating a diet that is low in added sugar and high in nutrient-dense foods
- Use an electric toothbrush to brush your teeth each morning and evening
- Try an alternative to traditional floss, like an oral irrigator
- Avoid unhealthy dental habits, like smoking
How to Find Out If You’re a Candidate
Patients who have rheumatoid arthritis and are interested in getting dental implants should schedule a consultation with their oral surgeon. At this appointment, they can conduct a thorough dental exam and learn more about your medications, lifestyle habits, and concerns. From there, they can determine if dental implants are the best tooth-replacement option for you.
About the Author
After graduating with honors from Queens College, Dr. Steve Yusupov graduated in the top 10% of his class at the NYU College of Dentistry. The next step for him was to enter the oral and maxillofacial surgical residency training program at the SUNY Downstate Health Science Center/Kings County Hospital Center and obtain his M.D. Throughout his career, he’s trained with leaders in the field and maintained active memberships with notable organizations, like the New York State Society of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons. If you want to find out if you’re a candidate for dental implants or you have a question about the process, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment via our website or by phone at (516) 744-6262.