Study Shows Dental Implants May Help People with Sjogren’s Syndrome

Updated on May 24, 2019

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In recent years, many people have turned to dental implants in order to improve the appearance of their teeth as well as to improve their quality of life. Many dentists carry out this type of work on a daily basis for people who have missing teeth or are experiencing dental problems that require their teeth be removed. Often people have implants simply for cosmetic reasons, but loss of teeth can have many other negative effects on a person’s day-to-day life.

A recent study has shown that implants may be a solution for people who suffer from a condition known as Sjogren’s Syndrome, which results in the progressive deterioration of certain glands. The glands that are found around the eye area and in the mouth are at particular risk from the effects of this condition. Sufferers often have dry eyes, dry mouth, a reduction in saliva production, and numerous dental issues.

Research Confirms Implants Could Be an Option

Research has been published that was carried out by experts in Sweden, who wanted to determine whether having dental implants would be a viable option for those with the condition. In the past, many professionals warned against this solution for Sjogren’s Syndrome sufferers because they believed that the risk of implant failure would be too high. The study was aimed at finding out whether this was the case or whether implants could actually be considered for those with this syndrome.

The outcome of the recently published study was generally positive but came with a number of warnings. Researchers noted that implants may be considered for those with this condition, but they also added that there was an increased risk of marginal bone loss in the areas surrounding the implant compared to those without the condition. The study was carried out in two stages and it also suggested that the failure rate was lower in those with primary disease, which is where the condition develops on its own. For those with secondary disease, where the condition was caused from another source, the failure rate was higher.

There is also an increased risk of tooth loss in those that have the condition, which is why dental experts are eager to find a suitable solution that has a lower risk of rejection.

The Conclusion of the Study

Once the study was completed, researchers concluded that implants should be considered for patients who suffer from this syndrome, as the implant failure rate was relatively low. They added that there may be more marginal bone loss for those that had the condition but that implants could still be considered a viable option.

Researchers also stated that by having implants, sufferers who had lost teeth could improve their quality of life in many ways. This included aesthetic benefits, their ability to speak and eat properly, and an overall improvement to their quality of life.  

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