Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: Treatment Plan for Dental Implants?

The syndrome has somewhat heterogeneous population of patients who all suffer from defective collagen synthesis. Some do have poor soft tissue wound healing as a result. Your best guide, in addition to getting as much info from related fields, for example from orthopedic or general surgical literature, will be to get a detailed history of your particular patient. This will allow you to evaluate the specific risks better by locating your patient's situation in the full range of the possible risks. The E-D National Foundation might be a good resource.

If the quality of the clinical attachment in the rest of the mouth is stable, there is a reasonable chance for clinical success. If there is progressive attachment loss in the absence of any clinical pathology then the probability of long term implant success is diminished. In some cases, implant placement is conceivably indicated for the short term to minimize ridge loss and provide stability for prosthetics. The subjective clinical evaluation is most important for these cases.

Regarding Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome patient, there are 6 different types of EDS. Look for the following articles: Dentin Dysplasia, Hedge, M & Hedge ND, Edodontology, Vol 6, 2004 EDSers have a difficult time getting adequate numbing for procedures. Oral Manifestations of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome • Yves Létourneau, DMD • • Rénald Pérusse, DMD, MD • • Hélène Buithieu, DMD, MSD • J Can Dent Assoc 2001; 67:330-4 PAIN & EDS Nov. 1997, Vol. XII, Number 4 of "Loose Connections", the official communication link of the EDNF reprinted by permission of Elsevier Science, Inc. Journal of Pain & Symptom Management,Vol.14,No.2,pp.88-93 Copyright 1997 by the Cancer Pain Relief Committee". "Chronic Pain is a Manifestation of the Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome". by SRCurry LPT/RNc The United Kingdom EDS group has great articles too. As well as the Canadian Ehlers Danlos Association. there is also a high incidence of Arnold Chiari Malformation which impacts how long a person can sit in a dental chair, how much pressure can be used on their jaw, and many EDSers have TMJ due to dislocations/subluxations of the joint. Chronic Pain is a Manifestation of the Ehlers–Danlos Syndrome Anubha Sacheti, Judy Szemere, Bruce Bernstein, Triantafyllos Tafas, Neil Schechter, Petros Tsipouras "Reprinted by permission of Elsevier Science, Inc. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, Vol. 14, No. 2, pp. 88–93. Copyright 1997 by the U.S. Cancer Pain Relief Committee." Also, any articles by Beighton, MD or Grahame, MD, Claire Francomano, MD; or Nazli McDonnell, MD

Thank you all for your comments. My patient is 13 years old and she almost has all her roots resorbed so we are planning dental implants in the near future. No other symthoms are visible. His father came to me asking implant treatment when his dougther will loose her teeth. We will try to keep her teeth as long as we can so she will reach the apropriate age (18). Thanks again for the information. Dr. Pedro Peña. Madrid. Spain.

Hi I have undergone an implant a while ago (a molar) after experiencing a root fracture, due to trauma through having so many convulsive seizures. I have TMJ over a number of years and was born with EDS (I am nearly 50 yrs old) with characteristic dental issues which I do not reiterate here. It's somewhat difficult to put this but I suggest you run some research on pros and cons of having implant, for yourself, particularly if you are thinking of having so many let alone, more than one. Not that I wish to scare anyone, I think it is important not to assume things by taking to a implant dentist. I was persuaded to think that it will be fairly painless. It was very painful in my case. I was in agony for some time, up to a month and the swelling was quite large. I had a slow healing. I am fairly resistant to pain sensation of most dental procedures for someone with various dental defects but this was a little different. I personally wouldn't advise so many implants on a child who may not be able to provide an informed consent. Her jaw may still be growing and in fact, immature. Wait till she grows up. Regards,