Losing Teeth

[BonusMom]

It finally happened................a bridge that was anchored by a tooth that was dead, finally gave way.  I have no pain and, luckily, the bridge was in the back.

I have a severely dry mouth <.1 ml/per minute.

My "good" dental insurance will go in effect in a month (better benefits and better selection of dentists to choose from).  I had already made an appointment for June 2009 with a dentist (although she's not a preferred provider with the dental ins. co) that is supposedly knowledgeable about SjS and billing medical insurance for SjS related dental issues.

I also have a mediocre dental insurance through my husband.

My question is this:  should I go to the dentist now or just wait until the June appt?  Do you think there would be any harm in waiting?

Also, what you would think the best treatment option for this would be?  I have thought about a removable type bridge would be the most cost effective as I expect I will have all teeth eventually pulled.  I have had many, many root canals over the years and have what my my calls "milk teeth"-- very soft and prone to cavities.

Thanks for your input.

[Linda196]

I'm afraid I'd have to say that only your dental professional would be in a position to advise you as to the best course of action. My concern about leaving the situation until June might be that the broken and exposed root of the tooth, even if it is a "dead" tooth, could be an inlet for infection.

[BonusMom]

If I remember right, the tooth had a root canal done prior to the bridge being placed--which is why it was dead.

[BonusMom]

Thanks, Linda.  I will be putting in a call to the densist.  I hadn't thought about the risk of infection 

[irish]

Bonus mom, As a long time dental patient who paid out enough money to put a kid through one year or more of college, I would advise you to talk with your dentist about pulling your teeth. If you have already had many root canals and have really soft teeth prone to cavities, you are high risk for big time expense.

I spent so much time going to the dentist that it was really unbelieveable when I started thinking back over the years. I had to fight and claw to find someone who would pull my teeth. I had ended up having so many of the ones pulled that had root canals---what a waste of money. I did the bridge, etc and went without teeth as I knew that they needed to come out and would not get an expensive bridge.

Also, dentist wanted to do implants and I just looked at him and said no way. That is really something that puts one up for high risk of infection. People with autoimmune disease don't heal well and often get infections easier. Anyway, I am so happy to have gotten them pulled. Dentures are not that big a deal. Make sure you ask around and get a dentist who is fussy about his dentures and who makes them for him. Good luck in whatever you do. Having good dental insurance would make it a good time for dentures. I have getting my final set of dentures for 2500$ as I wore the temporary ones for about 5 1/2 years. Irish

[BonusMom]

Thanks for the great info, Irish! 

In addition to the bridge coming out, there's a bone that's chipped on the upper gum, just above the area where the bridge was.  I didn't want it removed before because I didn't want to lose the bridge any earlier than absolutely necessary.

I didn't realize the connection between SjS and infections.  I was considering implants and will have to research this more in depth.  I was wondering if implants are really worth it if I'm just going to lose additional teeth and end up with dentures anyway.  It appears that implants are REALLY painful (and expensive).  but, this is me......a woman that would prefer to give birth vs. going to the dentist 

[Wynter]

Hi BonusMon,

There was recently an article in the "Moisture Seekers" magazine about implants. It was written by a rheumatologist that advocated implants if the patient qualified. I have heard some people do really well and some don't (even if they don't have Sjogren's). Of course they are expensive. Even if you just get dentures, check out your health insurance (that is if you have it), and see if it will be covered.

I am trying to get my health insurance to pay my dental bills. My teeth haven't gotten that bad yet, but I am not officially diagnosed and am 40. Of course I am having a root canal this afternoon. Sometimes, I just want to pull all of them and get dentures or implants. I don't really want to spend thousands of dollars on my teeth, I would rather go on vacation or save for retirement.

Oh yeah, forgot to mention that the article written by the rheumie in Moisture Seekers was the same one that told me nothing was wrong with me in 1996, when I had several elevated tests. I didn't have any symptoms, but elevated tests. Now it's the opposite, no elevated tests and lots of symptoms. Whatever! Sorry to vent.

[irish]

bonusmom, I can't begin to tell you how many times I have been to the dentist and all I went through. When I was 10 years old I had 11 cavilties. Did I have Sjogrens then, I wonder. It was like that most of my life. I learned to do the self hypnosis along with the novacaine and managed to live through all the work I had done.

I did have most of my teeth pulled in the dentist office but had the lower ones left pulled under anesthesia at the oral surgeon. Now that is the way to go. Have it done all at once and get it over with.

I am so leary of those darn implantsa because of all the antibiotic resistant bacteria out there these days. It doesn't take much to get in real trouble with an infection. An infection that goes into the bone can really cause trouble. I guess I am more nervous than the average bear because I am a nurse and know what could happen.

Everyone has to make there own decision, but 2500$ for each implant was enough to send me packing. Irish

[eyeamdry]

Irish, your post sounds like me.  I was in the dentist's chair all the time as a kid and an adult.  My sisters and bro were also, though.  We all had bad teeth.  Parents got us fluoride treatments (well water) and all that, but it did no good.  All but me had dentures by the time they were 21.  Back then, dentists didn't mind pulling a tooth or teeth as long as you could pay. 

Somehow, I got to keep mine.  I have very few that are my own, though and if they are my own, they are full of that filling stuff.  Also wear a removable bridge because I didn't want to spent thousands$$ for permanent.  I have dental ins and probably should be able to keep up a crown a year until I don't care any more about no front teeth or I die, which ever comes first.   

I'm the only one of 4 kids with any autoimmune disease.  Our family "teeth" are nothing to brag about.  Lucy