Going to the dentist shortly with a couple toothaches. I have RSD in the left foot and I was wondering if anyone has ever had any RSD-related problems in connection with dental work. I hear that surgeries and other invasive procedures can make RSD spread, so it occurred to me that something like a root canal might be problematic. What about stuff like fillings and teeth cleaning? Also, what might be done to reduce any risks? Thanks!

I have had numerous root canals and tooth extraditing post CRPS and I have not had the disease spread from those activities. My CRPS is also located in my lower extremeties (from hips to toes) and maybe that is why I have not had issues of spread in relation to dental work. I'm curious to see if any group members have actually had a spread from such work as I think back I don't think I have seen a group member with such results. I have heard of preventive measures taken by having a nerve block performed prior to the dental work being performed but in those cases I think the patient had CRPS in their upper extremities.
Sarah

So far with my teeth I have been ok though I have not had a root canal. I am going thru orthodontic work and with just regular dentistry. It is and was a fear though and I explained my condition to my dentist/orthodontist. I encourage you to do the same. Mine seem to take extra care and concern at least and actually I looked for that in them.

Dear WolfLarsen,
Hello. I am the "Queen of Dental Problems" for sure haha. I hardly ever had dental problems prior to rsd (full body 6 years now) but in the last year and a half have had 2 crowns (he wanted to do more but I can't afford it), and I gave up counting after 10+ fillings I had done. Oh, and I had my teeth cleaned two weeks ago and have to go back end of March for three small fillings to be done. I am at the dentist at times every other week or so. I have found because I have rsd full body and it is in my face, mouth/jaws, head, that the day of fillings I start a very low dose of penicillin for three days, and as soon as I get home I get a covered ice pack and just place it at different sites around my jaw for about an hour or so...off and on my face. I think the ice helps to prevent any more pain. It has helped me so much. Even with cleanings I have mouth pain for several days and for fillings where needles are involved I am in bad pain for about two weeks and can't use that part of my jaw. I have no dental ins so I still owe my dentist $2,200.00!!! Thankfully he takes payments so I will be paying it for years. I believe between the rsd and all the meds I have taken over the years that my teeth have begun to deteriorate before my eyes. I can go to bed with no cavities and wake up 6 hours later to find a cavitiy at the gumline. It is crazy.

I saw a report on tv a few months ago that in the U.S. there is too much fluoride (sp?) in the water yet my dentist says to use mouthwash before bed with fluoride in it to prevent tooth decay??? Go figure. I try gentle flossing (and have had teeth break off from that) but the pain afterwards is horrible but I try to do it as much as I can. I feel it is a never ending battle with teeth for me. Best of luck with your dentist. Take care, kathy d

Hi There! I have RSD in my left wrist,arm and shoulder. I had to have a tooth pulled last year due to it being fractured and I was scared to death that the RSD would spread. The oral surgeon was great, and he used "laughing gas" for the procedure. Everything went fine and I did not have any spread. Good luck to you, Lisa