Parkinson Disease is a long-term degenerative disorder that progressively reduces one’s movement day by day. Even the simplest movement like brushing your teeth is very challenging and detrimental to them, not say making a trip down to the dentist. Hence, it is very difficult for them to maintain good oral health increasing their chances of having cavities and lost teeth. As dentures has proved to be a problematic option for them, it is commonly recommended to try dental implants instead. However, it is important to consider the pros and cons and seek professional help from dentists.
Dental Implants improve quality of life for patients.Dental implants are able to maintain the strength of our jaws and keep them intact. These implants help to support our teeth, constructing a “bridge” connecting several teeth, or act as dentures for upper and lower teeth. According to a one-year long study done by King’s College London Dental Institute with 4 patients with dental implants, they were able to eat, smile, and talk normally. According to a questionnaire ‘The Dental Impact on Daily Living Assessment’ (DIDL), majority of participants (9 of them) could eat much easier within the first 3 months, and saw a significant improvement in the quality of their oral health within 1 year.
Implants are more effective if they are used on the front teethDental implants can improve patients’ eating habits and oral health if they are used on the front teeth, due to the “shortened dental arch”, as compared to the teeth at the back. Patients tend to clench their jaws and grit their teeth, which puts a lot of pressure at the back of their jaw. Hence, putting implants at the front of their teeth can prevent the breakage of implants and the need to have surgeries in the future. Based on the study at King’s College London Dental Institute, 3 of the 4 participants clenched their jaws very frequently, which is one of the side effects of levodopa medicine. They also grinded their teeth, which is a symptom of Parkinson’s Disease. That caused their implant to break, and had to undergo more dental surgeries.
Implants can be costly, time-consuming and high-maintenanceHowever, implants have many issues to tackle. Patients with implants had to pay an average of 4 visits a year to the clinic to check on their implants, which does not include regular checkups on their remaining teeth.
Most importantly, it is always better to consult your doctor on what to do before you take the next step. The situation varies between people and hence it is always better to talk thoroughly with professionals. Luckily, at Guerrino Dentistry, we have a stellar line-up of doctors who are experienced with Parkinson’s Disease as well as dental implants. You can find out more about our dentistry team here, or book an appointment for a consultation with us today.
