Dental Implants for a Patient Who Is HIV Positive?
Dr. B. asks:
Are there any particular contraindications to placing implants in a patient who is HIV positive? I have a 32 year old female patient who is taking multiple medications, under a physician’s supervision and has virtually no detectable virus. She is leading a normal life. I would be placing a wide platform implant in #30 area [mandibular right first molar or 46] to replace a first molar extracted because of a failed root canal. The area appears to be healed and looks quite normal. I talked with her physician and he said from his perspective there are no contraindications. He does recommend using an antibiotic prophylaxis because of her depressed immune system. He said her bloodwork looks good for her condition. Should I inform her that she has a higher risk of complications? I would like to get some views on this from the group.
