Medications: impact on dental diagnosis and treatment planning
Ciancio, S.
Compendium of Continuing Education in Dentistry 22(Special Issue 2): 24-28
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 1548-8578 PMID: 19248255 Document Number: 532118
Today, many patients regularly take prescription and over-the-counter medications that may be a risk factor for periodontal disease and caries. The sugar in many medications presents a serious caries challenge, which, in some cases, is compounded by an acidic pH. Attitude-altering medications may inhibit compliance with oral hygiene. Many medications cause xerostomia, which can lead to root surface caries and candidiasis. In many cases, these drugs cannot be substituted and dosages cannot be reduced, so it is essential to detect adverse conditions early and begin oral hygiene treatment planning to prevent more severe dental conditions from developing. This article discusses the impact of medications on treatment planning for patients who have clinical manifestations of dental problems that are attributed to medications.