Katinka Albrecht1, Johanna Callhoff2, Gisela Westhoff2, Thomas Dietrich2, Thomas Dörner2, Angela Zink2. 1. From the Epidemiology Unit, German Rheumatism Research Centre; Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité University Medicine, Berlin, Germany; The School of Dentistry, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.K. Albrecht, MD, Epidemiology Unit, German Rheumatism Research Centre; J. Callhoff, MSc, Epidemiology Unit, German Rheumatism Research Centre; G. Westhoff*, Dipl. Psych, Epidemiology Unit, German Rheumatism Research Centre; T. Dietrich, Dr. Med, Dr. Med. Dent, MPH, Professor, The School of Dentistry, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham; T. Dörner, MD, Professor, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité University Medicine; A. Zink, MPH, Professor, Epidemiology Unit, German Rheumatism Research Centre. albrecht@drfz.de. 2. From the Epidemiology Unit, German Rheumatism Research Centre; Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité University Medicine, Berlin, Germany; The School of Dentistry, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.K. Albrecht, MD, Epidemiology Unit, German Rheumatism Research Centre; J. Callhoff, MSc, Epidemiology Unit, German Rheumatism Research Centre; G. Westhoff*, Dipl. Psych, Epidemiology Unit, German Rheumatism Research Centre; T. Dietrich, Dr. Med, Dr. Med. Dent, MPH, Professor, The School of Dentistry, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham; T. Dörner, MD, Professor, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité University Medicine; A. Zink, MPH, Professor, Epidemiology Unit, German Rheumatism Research Centre.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate prevalence and patient-reported outcomes of dental implants in patients with Sjögren syndrome (SS). METHODS: A total of 205 female patients from an observational cohort study answered oral health questionnaires about periodontal signs and symptoms, dentures, dental implants, comorbidities, and therapies that may interfere with bone remodeling. Data were compared with the reports of 87 female healthy controls. RESULTS: The patients were older than the controls (58 ± 12 and 54 ± 14 yrs, respectively) and differed substantially in the prevalence of self-reported gingivitis (60% and 35%), self-reported periodontitis (19% and 8%), and in the numbers of remaining teeth (21 ± 7 and 24 ± 5). Patients more frequently had removable prostheses (36% compared with 23%) and dental implants (16% compared with 7%). The 32 patients with SS with dental implants had a mean number of 3.1 ± 2.0 implants. Notably, for patients with implants, their oldest existing implant survived for a mean period of 4.9 ± 5.4 years. A total of 5 of 104 (4.8%) implants in the patients and none of the 14 implants in the controls had to be removed. A total of 75% of the patients were highly satisfied with the implants and 97% would recommend them to other patients with SS. CONCLUSION: A substantial portion of patients with SS have dental complications and require subsequent implants. The majority were satisfied with the implants and would recommend them to other patients. The high implant survival rate may encourage patients, rheumatologists, and dentists to consider dental implants for the treatment of patients with SS.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate prevalence and patient-reported outcomes of dental implants in patients with Sjögren syndrome (SS). METHODS: A total of 205 female patients from an observational cohort study answered oral health questionnaires about periodontal signs and symptoms, dentures, dental implants, comorbidities, and therapies that may interfere with bone remodeling. Data were compared with the reports of 87 female healthy controls. RESULTS: The patients were older than the controls (58 ± 12 and 54 ± 14 yrs, respectively) and differed substantially in the prevalence of self-reported gingivitis (60% and 35%), self-reported periodontitis (19% and 8%), and in the numbers of remaining teeth (21 ± 7 and 24 ± 5). Patients more frequently had removable prostheses (36% compared with 23%) and dental implants (16% compared with 7%). The 32 patients with SS with dental implants had a mean number of 3.1 ± 2.0 implants. Notably, for patients with implants, their oldest existing implant survived for a mean period of 4.9 ± 5.4 years. A total of 5 of 104 (4.8%) implants in the patients and none of the 14 implants in the controls had to be removed. A total of 75% of the patients were highly satisfied with the implants and 97% would recommend them to other patients with SS. CONCLUSION: A substantial portion of patients with SS have dental complications and require subsequent implants. The majority were satisfied with the implants and would recommend them to other patients. The high implant survival rate may encourage patients, rheumatologists, and dentists to consider dental implants for the treatment of patients with SS.