Every 6 months I do a post about the effect of HCV on teeth. Chronic HepC causes decreased, acidic saliva. This promotes tooth decay. For those patients who are put on Interferon, the problem gets worse. Interferon has a direct effect on tooth enamel, and further reduces saliva production. Add the decreased neutrophils, and dental decay is a real problem. Back in the 1990's, this effect of Interferon was not mentioned. I lost 3 significant teeth from that experience. During my last 48 weeks of treatment, I still ended up losing 2 more teeth. This was despite a dental check prior to treatment, and 3 monthly checks during treatment ( although I missed the last one, as I was too ill). This will become less of a problem as Interferon disappears, and treatment times get shorter. However, get your teeth checked before treatment, use a mouth wash, and brush your teeth at least twice a day. I still have a dry mouth, so the damage to my salivary glands is probably permanent.
I have just had my final titanium screw inserted for another dental implant. I've researched implant types and cost and I'll do a post in 'Off Topic'. Cheers.
Does your teeth get sensitive to hot and cold too?
jimbob said
Jun 6, 2014
Several years prior to tx, I had 4-5 teeth chip too Duane. I'm sure they're weakened by having had the virus for so long.
TazKat said
Jun 6, 2014
I sure did mallani. I got dentures on top. I hate them. I finally had the roof of them cut out which makes it easier. will get retainer later for bottom for the back. it does do a number.
mallani said
Jun 6, 2014
Hi Duane,
I don't know anyone who's taken Interferon who hasn't had dental issues.
My tour of several dental labs has led me to the same conclusion. For the implant screws use Ti 6Al-4V ( that's 6% aluminium and 4% Vanadium) grade 5, or ELI (Grade 23). These are non ferromagnetic so I can still have my MRI. I agree that HA coating (HydroxyApatite) improves the integration of the implant into bone. Mine had the coating, and I also had some HA chips along one surface, as I have lost so much bone. Happy days.
Dzdayscomin said
Jun 6, 2014
What a coincidence that you would post this now, since I started and now finished my 12 week treatment of S/O I have broken 4 molars ....
At 1st I thought, well anyone can break a tooth, but after 4.... I'm thinking there has to be something to it, and having had the virus for some 30 yrs why now? So I asked the hepatologist today and he said nearly verbatum to what malcom said "dry mouth issues" and something about poor liver function and neutrophils.
Also found out at the dentist Tuesday getting the last two patched up , that I have what I think he said is a necrotic bone chip on the lower left lingual side gum by my last molar but it appears to be above the jaw bone structure and about a 1/4 " down from the gum line? You cannot see it on the xray but I can feel it and it is sharp enough to irritate and just a bit sore when I first noticed it poking thru the gum and sore I thought it was some filling material or part of my gold crown or something....so I grabbed my little diamond file boiled it and filed the sharp part off in about three strokes... (I make med devices for business so I know some stuff about that) then just did a good listerene mouth wash and shazamm no more pointy thing and the gum grew back over it. But I still had the dentist look at it and he refered me to the oral surgeon to take care of it.
Good topic and timing..I bet there are a lot more people that have dental Issues as a result of HCV and the resulting liver damage that have wondered why they were either breaking teeth or seeing more decay problems.
fyi implant screw material you are looking for is 6AL4V ELI titanium make sure its not from a chinese mill, it probably should also have an anodic treatment, and for best bone adhesion an HA coating that stimulates bone growth. If you ask your Implant surgeon those questions and he can answer them off the cuff he's good and knowledgeable about the product he is implanting. If he knows the Ti isn't from china he really knows his stuff because the only way you can actually know that is to have the original mill certification with melt lot....and that would only be in the implant OEM's and the supplier like "me" 's possession in the device history record.
Well better BRUSH MY TEETH and get some sleep 6 hrs till three month transplant labs and MRI...
jimbob said
Jun 5, 2014
I had a checkup 2nd month of tx. After reading this forum I also purchased Spry toothpaste and mouth wash at local health food store (per dental assistant's request) and ACT lozenges for dry mouth. Durung tx, I'd place one of these lozenges between cheek and gum and leave it there overnite. Haven't had a checkup since but I think it worked fairly well. CAUTION: I suppose there may be a chance of choking during sleep: however, I personally didn't have any problems, and didn't feel I would at bedtime. I was somehow always aware of it there, and it never moved.
Good luck.
JLynch30 said
Jun 5, 2014
Yes, terrible dry mouth and gums bleeding. I made sure i got a deep cleaning before treatment.
mallani said
Jun 5, 2014
Hi all,
Every 6 months I do a post about the effect of HCV on teeth. Chronic HepC causes decreased, acidic saliva. This promotes tooth decay. For those patients who are put on Interferon, the problem gets worse. Interferon has a direct effect on tooth enamel, and further reduces saliva production. Add the decreased neutrophils, and dental decay is a real problem. Back in the 1990's, this effect of Interferon was not mentioned. I lost 3 significant teeth from that experience. During my last 48 weeks of treatment, I still ended up losing 2 more teeth. This was despite a dental check prior to treatment, and 3 monthly checks during treatment ( although I missed the last one, as I was too ill). This will become less of a problem as Interferon disappears, and treatment times get shorter. However, get your teeth checked before treatment, use a mouth wash, and brush your teeth at least twice a day. I still have a dry mouth, so the damage to my salivary glands is probably permanent.
I have just had my final titanium screw inserted for another dental implant. I've researched implant types and cost and I'll do a post in 'Off Topic'. Cheers.
Does your teeth get sensitive to hot and cold too?
I sure did mallani. I got dentures on top. I hate them. I finally had the roof of them cut out which makes it easier. will get retainer later for bottom for the back. it does do a number.
Hi Duane,
I don't know anyone who's taken Interferon who hasn't had dental issues.
My tour of several dental labs has led me to the same conclusion. For the implant screws use Ti 6Al-4V ( that's 6% aluminium and 4% Vanadium) grade 5, or ELI (Grade 23). These are non ferromagnetic so I can still have my MRI. I agree that HA coating (HydroxyApatite) improves the integration of the implant into bone. Mine had the coating, and I also had some HA chips along one surface, as I have lost so much bone. Happy days.
What a coincidence that you would post this now, since I started and now finished my 12 week treatment of S/O I have broken 4 molars ....
At 1st I thought, well anyone can break a tooth, but after 4.... I'm thinking there has to be something to it, and having had the virus for some 30 yrs why now? So I asked the hepatologist today and he said nearly verbatum to what malcom said "dry mouth issues" and something about poor liver function and neutrophils.
Also found out at the dentist Tuesday getting the last two patched up , that I have what I think he said is a necrotic bone chip on the lower left lingual side gum by my last molar but it appears to be above the jaw bone structure and about a 1/4 " down from the gum line? You cannot see it on the xray but I can feel it and it is sharp enough to irritate and just a bit sore when I first noticed it poking thru the gum and sore I thought it was some filling material or part of my gold crown or something....so I grabbed my little diamond file boiled it and filed the sharp part off in about three strokes... (I make med devices for business so I know some stuff about that) then just did a good listerene mouth wash and shazamm no more pointy thing and the gum grew back over it. But I still had the dentist look at it and he refered me to the oral surgeon to take care of it.
Good topic and timing..I bet there are a lot more people that have dental Issues as a result of HCV and the resulting liver damage that have wondered why they were either breaking teeth or seeing more decay problems.
fyi implant screw material you are looking for is 6AL4V ELI titanium make sure its not from a chinese mill, it probably should also have an anodic treatment, and for best bone adhesion an HA coating that stimulates bone growth. If you ask your Implant surgeon those questions and he can answer them off the cuff he's good and knowledgeable about the product he is implanting. If he knows the Ti isn't from china he really knows his stuff because the only way you can actually know that is to have the original mill certification with melt lot....and that would only be in the implant OEM's and the supplier like "me" 's possession in the device history record.
Well better BRUSH MY TEETH and
get some sleep 6 hrs till three month transplant labs and MRI...
Good luck.
Yes, terrible dry mouth and gums bleeding. I made sure i got a deep cleaning before treatment.
Hi all,
Every 6 months I do a post about the effect of HCV on teeth. Chronic HepC causes decreased, acidic saliva. This promotes tooth decay. For those patients who are put on Interferon, the problem gets worse. Interferon has a direct effect on tooth enamel, and further reduces saliva production. Add the decreased neutrophils, and dental decay is a real problem. Back in the 1990's, this effect of Interferon was not mentioned. I lost 3 significant teeth from that experience. During my last 48 weeks of treatment, I still ended up losing 2 more teeth. This was despite a dental check prior to treatment, and 3 monthly checks during treatment ( although I missed the last one, as I was too ill). This will become less of a problem as Interferon disappears, and treatment times get shorter. However, get your teeth checked before treatment, use a mouth wash, and brush your teeth at least twice a day. I still have a dry mouth, so the damage to my salivary glands is probably permanent.
I have just had my final titanium screw inserted for another dental implant. I've researched implant types and cost and I'll do a post in 'Off Topic'. Cheers.