Dental Crown and Tocilizumab/Hydroxychloroquine.

Becky88
Becky88 Member Posts: 101
in Living with arthritis

Good Afternoon,

I wonder if anybody can please help me with some advice.

I think I will have to have a dental crown soon. I have been delaying it as I am worried about any possible problems which may occur due to the medication I am taking for RA.

I have Tocilizumab hospital infusions and also take Hydroxychloroquine tablets. Has anybody out there who is on these medications ever had a crown? Did you need antibiotics? Did you need to stop taking your medications before/after the crown? I have asked my RA nurses on different occasions but seem to get different answers. My dentist said she did not know. Any help would be much appreciated.

Many thanks.

Comments

  • Ellen
    Ellen Moderator Posts: 1,917

    Hi @Becky88

    I don't have any personal experience of dental treatment and Biologics, but did a quick search here about surgery and biologics I hope it helps you to know what to do.

    https://community.versusarthritis.org/search?query=surgery%20on%20biologics&scope=site&source=community

    This information here does mention surgery too and what to do:

    https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/drugs/tocilizumab/

    Thing is is a crown actually surgery? Can your dentist prescribe prophylactic antibiotics I wonder. I often discuss medication worries with my pharmacist too. Just an idea.

    Best wishes

    Ellen.

  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,227

    Hi @Becky88

    I suppose it depends whether your dentist cuts you and introduces potential bacteria maybe? I was also wondering whether you can ask them for a dose of antibiotics or can you try to time it at least for when you are as far away from your Tocs dose as possible???

    I have just started on blood thinners and been told that i have to stop them for 5-7 days before dental treatment sorry you aren't getting much advice from your nurses. Surely they've been asked this question before🙄

    take care and good luck

    Toni x

  • Becky88
    Becky88 Member Posts: 101

    Thank you very much Ellen and @frogmorton for your advice. It is much appreciated.

  • Welsh1
    Welsh1 Member Posts: 89

    You don't normally need antibiotics for a crown unless you get an infection the dentist should better inform you

  • HG80
    HG80 Member Posts: 15

    I had a crown in December, whilst I was on methotrexate. Appreciate it's not quite the same as biologics but I didn't need antibiotics and didn't need to stop the MTX. Crown appt was over three visits in 6 weeks too.

    That tooth previously had a root canal, about a year ealier, for which I DID need antibiotics and to come off the MTX.

  • Becky88
    Becky88 Member Posts: 101

    Thank you very much @Welsh1 and @HG80.

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