Dental Work

[stc1993]

Has anyone had dental work done while on reatment? I have a tooth that keeps getting infected. I took antibiotics & it got well for about 10 days, But I can feel it coming back (dull ache in jaw)it has been worked on before & capped, no root canal. I was thinking about just getting it pulled out, but with low platlets I was worried it might bleed to much. Is it okay to have dental work on treatment? I have 19 more shots to go.

Thanks,

Monte

[stc1993]

I might have hit send by acident.  Thank everyone for the information. My dentist gave me another prec. of antibiotics, and is sending me to an endo. for check up. If it needs it I guess i'll have the root canal.  


Monte

[BarnGoddess]

I had a bothersome tooth/jaw pain and found out it was a polyp in my sinus that was pressing on nerves  that run in the area from the nostril to the corner of the mouth.
Almost had a root canal for it but the endo doc sent me for  sinus xray and  found that the polyp was the culprit.

[bzzracer]

I like what DoubleDose has to say and would certainly request my dentist to look into your "tooth ache" further. I would look into taking a coagulation test to insure your low platelets isn't a cause for unnecessary bleeeding. My HCV and lesion caused my platelets to fall to 60-64. However, my coagulation test were always normal. This frustrated alot of doctors until I met a transplant hepatologist who understood HCV abnormalities. They basically put a fine 3/32" incision on your forearm, put a measuring instrument on the incision and time the droplet from incision to coag. Average coag time is 3-7 minutes. I fell in at 4 minutes each time.

[miked]

I too have been going to my dentist for a very long time.  In the late 80's his office implemented specific procedures and standards for the spread of infectious disease.  I remember thinking "what's this all about?" at the time.
They do treat everyone as being infectious and do appreciate knowing when a patient has HCV (or other).  With a very large number of patients and 2+% of the population has HCV.....somebody isn't saying anything.

[Laika]

Very interesting posts--I have not seen "dental work while on treatment" discussed before.  Wish I had done my regular dental stuff before I started treatment.  Now my teeth need cleaning, driving me nuts, and the last time I flossed my teeth there was blood everywhere...so I thought it might freak them out at the dentists office.  I did tell the hygeniest I had HCV the last time I was there...to my relief, she just started chatting about someone she knew with HCV, asking my opinion about this and that.  I would not go to a dentist who padded my bill for having HCV.  They must disinfect everything the same.  People with HCV or HIV prefer to remain anonymous to avoid being ostracised, and of course a lot of us didn't even know we had it for so many years.  I went to this dentist for 10 years not knowing...then I was diagnosed and it took me another 4 years to get brave enough to tell them.  One person on this forum gave her opinion that it was not necessary to tell your dentist, in that they are supposed to treat EVERYONE as though they have blood bourne infection.  I do agree, but per the above post by miked, there are evidently some dentists who need to be made aware!...just plain don't know about it??  Hope he's been using a good disinfectant while under the illusion that he has no patients with hepC!

Laika

[miked]

I'm very good friends with my dentist.  Before scheduling my latest appointment I told him about my HCV.  Under no circumstances would I endager him or his staff.  He said that he has never heard of a patient with HCV...his office has a practise that is very large which tells you the odds are people are keeping quiet.
My dentist researched HCV and called back to thank me for telling and they would love to continue having me as a patient.  He also said that he and staff will take precautions.

[md1johnson]

I have dental plates now seemed to be cheaper than all the dental work I was having. Between that and plumonary hypertension and having to be on o2. My lung Dr said it might have been the revatol (I know the spelling is wrong)

[doll face]

I have had many dental problems since being on tx. The worst of it being losing bone mass.(The dentists claims that it is from all the medications I have been on,including interferon, antidepressants and synthroid from going hypo during tx) Getting ready to have my upper teeth pulled and dentures put in due to this bone loss. I was not allowed to get anything major done during tx due to my low blood counts. Just cleanings and a filling.

I would suggest to everyone that they have a complete check up prior to doing tx, along with regular check ups during.

I would also suggest that you check with your doctor first before any major work to be done. I wish you all the luck.

[sgabb]

I have been having quite a few problems with my gums and teeth lately.  I talked to a friend that told me to look up Biotene tooth paste.It really opened my eyes as to the "Dry Mouth" problems of tx.  I have only been using it for a week now, but gum and tooth pain is decreasing.  Only problem I have had with dental work while on tx, was telling the dentist that I had HepC.
All of a sudden I have new charges for bio clean up and percautions on my bill.  Gee, I thought they had to clean up the same for anyone...  But if you have HepC you have to pay more?????   ah well, 7 more shots to go...  I hope and pray.  Best to all!!!             Shawn

[missgerib]

Monte,
I have very low platletes.  My doctor has told me not to have any dental work done.  The highest mine have been in two years is 63,000.  My last labs were 40,000.  Unless yours are considerably higher, I wouldn't go to the dentist.
Geri

[DoubleDose]

Definitely have the work done!  Try to save the tooth...try root canal if at all possible...but FIRST make sure that the pain is from the tooth.  I frequently mistook pain coming from my salivary gland (inside upper cheeks), and parotid glands for tooth infection and related problems. This frequently occurs from HCV infection, and even more so from treatment.  The autoimmune reactions stirred up by tx can manifest in facial glands, as well as in the spinal column, etc.

I had several tooth procedures performed while on very high dose tx, with no problems, and also had several minor foot surgeries while on tx.  I think the best strategy is to accurately identify what the problem is, then find the best long term remedy.  Again, make sure the tooth is the real culprit, and check for possible gland swelling, or salivary duct inflammation or blockage.  Your dentist should be able to check that issue out for you.   If it is the tooth, try to save it!  Explore the root canal option.  Also, get started on a good antibiotic, if there is systemic infection.

Doubledose

[honey1616]

Hi Monte,,,I did the regular dental cleaning/checkups on tx but my hubby did have to have tooth pulled while on tx but his platelets weren't low.  How low is yours?  The tx does tend to make platelets lower then usual on some people.  If really low,,,I would probably call my dr just to run it by him on what you are doing.  Also, if you have a tooth that needs to come out and is causing you much pain,,,now is time to get it done so it won't interfere with you tx.  I really think that hep c does tend to work on our gums and teeth.  It seems like so many have problems through the years with their teeth!  Good Luck...

[giddyup]

I've had 5 root canals and caps done in the last 2 years.Most of that time I've been on treatment.My advice is to get your dental work done. Good luck.

[giddyup]

I've had 5 root canals and caps done in the last 2 years.Most of that time I've been on treatment.My advice is to get your dental work done. Good luck.