Dental care for patients with kidney failure – everything you need to know!
Our dental clinic specializes in dental care for patients with kidney failure and on dialysis, building a personalized treatment plan that takes into account the severity of kidney disease, dialysis schedules and preparation for kidney transplantation.
Important to know before a kidney transplant!
Because of the expected immunosuppression after transplantation, it is recommended that every transplant candidate undergo a comprehensive examination to reduce the risk of infectious complications. In the case of organ rejection, the patient will be in a state of long-term immunosuppression, which extends the period of infection risk and further emphasizes the importance of maintaining oral health.
Dentists must work in close cooperation with the medical team to develop an effective and safe dental treatment plan for the patient, in order to eliminate oral sources of infection that may endanger the patient before and after transplantation. The dentist must assess the risks based on the patient’s specific medical background and clinical findings, be able to identify oral complications and provide appropriate treatment. Kidney transplant recipients are also at high risk of long-term complications, including oral cancer, so close follow-up by a specialist should continue.
When treating a patient before kidney transplantation and during dialysis, adjustments must be made, arising for example from abnormal blood counts, the use of anticoagulants (blood thinners), consideration of dialysis schedules, avoidance of medications that may harm the kidneys, and timing treatment within a short period to prepare the patient quickly for transplantation – completing it up to two weeks before the transplant.
The dental examination before transplantation should include a dental history, a full-mouth series of dental X-rays, a comprehensive soft tissue examination, charting of caries and defective restorations, periodontal examination and assessment of third molars (wisdom teeth)
Recommended treatment before transplantation: Treatment of all caries lesions, root canal treatment, root amputation if needed, and extraction of mobile teeth with extensive attachment loss and poor prognosis. Extraction of partially erupted wisdom teeth with a history of infection and inflammation of the overlying gums should also be considered.
Treatment after kidney transplantation:
Possible oral complications after transplantation: Fungal infection of the mouth (candidiasis), recurrent herpes, gingival enlargement and recurrent aphthous ulcers (as a result of certain medications).
Our dental clinic specializes in dental care for patients with kidney failure and on dialysis, building a personalized treatment plan that takes into account the severity of kidney disease, dialysis schedules and preparation before kidney transplantation.
