I am sure this has been brought up before, so at the risk of redunancy, does anyone have any dental experiences that they can relate with regards to RSD? Are there any special precautions that anyone recommends, or is it not a big deal? Thanks!

I have had quite a lot of dental work done in the past few months including a tooth extracted, a root canal and a filling!! I was VERY nervous about going to the Dentist when I first developed RSD and I kept putting it off and putting it off without actually realising that my teeth needed sorting sooner rather than later!!

I did speak to my Pain Management Doctor about RSD and Dental Work and told him about my concerns of spreading etc and he said that his advice to most dentists when treating someone with RSD is to give them twice as much Anaesthetic as they do in a "normal" patient as that should try and combat any spreading and it is really important that we don't deal with any more pain than we actually have to!!

I haven't had too many problems with Dental Work with RSD but I DID make sure my Dentist knew about RSD and gave him all of the booklets to read etc and thankfully, he read them and followed the advice that my PM Doctor gave him. When I had the root canal done on Thursday, I had a lot of pain afterwards but thankfully it's settled down somewhat now ... I think what made it worse was that the Dentist kept hitting the nerves with the drill and I also ended up having to have 7 injections of anaesthetic as my gum wouldn't go numb - my Dentist believes that is from the RSD!

Here's an article on the American RSD Hope website about Dental Work and RSD - I printed it off and showed it to my Dentist and he found it really interesting!:

http://www.rsdhope.org/Showpage.asp?...1&PGCT_ID=3396

I hope this helps somewhat and if you have any questions, please let me know! I wish you the best of luck with your dental treatment and hope you don't have any more problems!!

I found the same article and printed it out. So far, it is the only one I have found that mentions the topic. I have severe TMJD in my left joint, so they have to give me a child's bite splint to do any cleanings or fillings so that it doesn't tax my muscles trying to hold it open. I always take Advil before the procedure to keep the swelling down as well.

Allison (love that name, it's my daughter's name too) and "MIPRSD,"

Thanks for your input! Last time I went, I got reminded that I soon will need a crown. The joys of being over 30. Thanks again!

Hi Dubious,

Good question on dental work. Precautions are needed as we can have a spread of rsd into our mouth. the website rsd.rx from a Dr. discusses dental work the the risks and precautions. I believe the dental question and information is under puzzles. After I was diagnosed with RSD my dentist gives my antibiotics the day of my procedure. I also do the gas mask to calm the nervous system to prevent any possible problems,nitrous oxide. Before I found out I had RSD, I had a root canal and the dental specialist gave me effenefron (wrong spelling) He didn't tell me he gave it to me, but the purpose was to make the anethestic last longer. My heart started racing and felt like I was going into cardiac arrest, My mouth was wired open, so couldn't talk, but waved my hands and pointed to my heart and he finally stopped and unwired my mouth. I told him how I felt and he gave me antidote. Now I carry a medical warning regarding the drug, as it can induce heart attack.

Welcome to Neurotalk. I hope all goes well with you and dental work. I need to make an appointment for check up. I always had my check ups every 6 months and cleaning, now I'm a little nervous.

What does left coast mean? I was born and raised in Oregon. We moved about 11 years ago to Arizona. I got RSD in Oregon after surgery, but discovered I had it after we had moved. Take care, and let us now how you did at the dentist. Loretta

I am absolutely fascinated that you brought this up-as a relative "newbie" diagnosed in October, I never thought about dental procedures and RSD. I am curious-I had excruciating pain in my mouth about a week ago. I couldn't relate it to any particular tooth (could bite on all of them without pain) but my gums swelled up like crazt-all the way to swelling the roof of my mouth! So, long story short (skipping the fact that I couldn't reach my PMR with whom I have a "pain contract" to ask about going. He was-an I quote-"too busy to answer your question before your appointment with the dentist.") I go to the dentist and she looks at me like I haven't brushed my teeth since June (and I swear, I brush my teeth like a normal person-twice a day and lie about flossing unless necessary). She has me on antibiotics and then plans on doing a "deep cleaning" on each side of my mouth. Says doing it all together is too painful. She doesn't know that I have RSD. Any advice on what I need to tell her if anything? I was floored that I suddenly needed all of this gum scraping-could be inflammation related to RSD maybe?

Lori Lee