Scleroderma: Contraindication to Dental Implants?

Last Updated: Sep 15, 2008

Dr. K. asks:
I have a patient with a severe case of scleroderma. She can open only about 20mm without experiencing pain. I cannot insert an impression tray in her mouth no matter how I twist it or load it. She has lost most of her teeth and I expect she will eventually loose the remaining teeth. I would like to make diagnostic casts to determine how best to restore her with implants. How do I make impressions? Is scleroderma a contraindication to dental implants? Will scleroderma effect the prognosis in any way? I have not been able to find any literature on this. Any help would be appreciated.

12 Comments on Scleroderma: Contraindication to Dental Implants?

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Bill Schaeffer

09/16/2008

Dr. K. Can I assume this is some kind of joke post. If the patient can't open enough for impressions how were you planning on restoring these implants, let alone placing them? If the patient can't open enough for her and her dentist to maintain her teeth, how is she going to maintain her implants? Is scleroderma a contraindication to implants? Well if the mouth opening is insufficient to place implants, then I guess you've answered your own question! Kind Regards, Bill Schaeffer

Toots

12/14/2016

Hi Bill, The mouth can be clamped open on the side that's been worked on.Scleroderma patients teeth usually decay at gum level leaving a healthy root intact.implants work very well with these patients. Always be aware that the sides of their mouth is very rigid and hurts if tugged on during examination.lubricant such as Vaseline helps

Russell

09/16/2008

If you can not get an impression tray into the mouth, you will not be able to do any of the following: 1. Get the surgical drill and implants in her mouth. 2. Be able to restore any implants already there. 3. Deal with any future complications. I would consider different treatment if I were you. Russell

anon

09/16/2008

Good luck, in a couple these patients, to remove abscess teeth, I've had to do a commissurotomy just to access the teeth. Not only is there restriction, but lack of elasticity of the skin (part of the disease) and the cheek are therefore not compliant.

anon

09/16/2008

remember C.R.E.S.T for systemic scleroderma?????

Dr.Aslan Y.GOKBUGET

09/17/2008

I have two scleroderma patient placed multiple implants.Ä°f patient have sufficient mouth opening you can put implants without any further problems..Ä°mplants are helps these patients a lot...because by the time mouth opening is more limited.So it isbetter to do it as much as earlier.Ä°mplants also help the patients cheek elasticity..and they are appreciate so much...

steve c

09/17/2008

I have placed several implants into a single scleroderma patient without problem except access and angulation. The tissues healed normally and the implants integrated well. The restorative dentist used Easy abutments(Nobel) thus making impressiion taking a little easier. The case is doing nicely after 8 or 9 years function. Your biggest concern will be access for both implant surgery and restorative procedures.

Dr. Ozzo

09/18/2008

What type of scleroderma does your patient have? Are there any renal or pulmonary complication history? Is she under medication? Will these effect the indication of surgical approach and/or possible medication if need to use emerges? Besides, what is the exact dental situation? What is/are the causes for teeth loss? How well is the patient motivated to oral hygiene measures? If it seems possible to place implants, will it be possible to place them only in anterior region to support an overdenture?

Lee

09/20/2008

This disease is known to be th1 and associated with cwd bacterias. If the patient in on abx they should do well. If not they should check into th1 diseases and abx. Lee

Vin

09/21/2008

I've read 2 or 3 articles from journal prosthetic dentistry about how to make impression for scleroderma patient. The author make sectional impression tray. You can google that articles. Vin

Adrienne

08/23/2011

Hi all can you not put these patients under general To do the work if the can't open their mouths. Whilst I know it's not ideal but neither is having the Disease in the first place! ?

Toots

12/14/2016

How are they going to open their mouth during GA,if they can't open them when awake.the skin is taut. It doesn't stretch due to the increased collagen levels and scar tissue.

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