Connective Tissue Disease

Question 1

what is the general management of connective tissue disease?

Answer 1

• dependent on disease activity
• analgesic NSAIDs (for muscle/joint symptoms)
• Immune modulating treatment
• Systemid steroids

Question 2

what is lupus?

Answer 2

long term condition that causes joint pain

Question 3

what is systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)?

Answer 3

autoimmune disease where immune system attacks bodys own tissues.

Multisystem:
- joints, skin, kidney, muscles, blood, etc

Question 4

what are the dental implications of systemic lupus erythematosus?

Answer 4

• Dry mouth
• Ulcers
• Gingivitis/Perio
• Osteonecrosis of jaw (as a result of the steroids, impacting blood vessels)
• TMJ disorder

Question 5

what is antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS)?

Answer 5

autoimmune disorder - antibodies attack proteins in blood causing abnormal clotting.

• characterised by recurrent thrombosis (blood clots)
• venous & arterial thrombosis
• do not stop anticoagulants

Question 6

what is sjorgren’s syndrome?

Answer 6

Bodys immune cells attacks MOISTURE PRODUCING GLANDS

-> dry eyes and mouth, major involvement in salivary glands.

Question 7

whats the diagnostic criteria for sjorgrens syndrome?

Answer 7

• dry eyes/mouth
• autoantibody findings
• imaging findings

usually clinical judgement results to a positive diagnosis

Question 8

whats the dental implications of sjogrens syndrome?

Answer 8

• oral infection
• caries risk
• functional loss
• denture retention
• salivary lymphoma
• dry mouth

Question 9

what is systemic sclerosis?

Answer 9

Rare autoimmune dissease, skin & connective tissues become thick & hard leading scarring/damage to internal organs.

• excessive collagen deposition
• connective tissue fibrosis (thickening/scarring of tissue)
• loss of elastic tissue
• predominantly women
• gradual onset
• slow progression (no treatment to prevent)

Question 10

what are some dental aspects of systemic sclerosis?

Answer 10

• Limited mouth opening
• Delayed healing, also osteonecrosis due to reduced blood flow to jaw
• Dry mouth/perio/gingivitis
• you need to plan treatment years ahead to make sure any widening treatment is done in advance

Question 11

what is vasculitis?

Answer 11

inflammation of blood vessels

the inflammation results in vessel wall thickening reducing the lumen of the blood vessel - reduced blood flow

this can also result in death/necrosis (infarction) of tissues which could affect oral cavity