Sjogren’s Syndrome: Dental Restoration
If you have Sjogren’s (pronounced SHOW-grins) Syndrome, it’s likely that you suffer from numerous dental problems resulting from chronic dry mouth. Sjogren’s syndrome is a chronic autoimmune disease that overproduces B lymphocytes (a type of white blood cells) that attack and destroy moisture-producing glands all over the body. Dry eyes and dry mouth are the telltale signs of Sjogren’s Syndrome, which can also cause damage to the kidneys, lungs, liver, pancreas, and the central nervous system. Extreme fatigue, as well as muscle and joint pain, are also symptoms of this disease.
While Sjogren’s can affect almost every racial and ethnic group, the National Institutes of Health reports that the disease is most common in women ages 40 to 50. In fact, nine out of ten patients diagnosed with Sjogren’s are women. More than four million Americans suffer from Sjogren’s Syndrome, making it one of the most common autoimmune disorders in the USA.
Dental Problems & Solutions:
Decreased saliva flow causes serious problems that can pose a serious threat to your oral and dental health. Saliva plays a significant role in maintaining a healthy mouth by breaking down foods in the mouth and washing away food and particles from your teeth and gums. Saliva also helps protect your mouth and fights cavities and other oral infections, by infusing teeth with high levels of calcium, fluoride and phosphate ions. The Journal of the American Medical Association states, “Reduction of salivary volume and subsequent loss of the antibacterial properties of saliva may accelerate infection, tooth decay, and periodontal disease.”
Many patients with Sjogren’s Syndrome report high levels of dental infection and the decay or loss of most teeth. The inability to produce saliva results in the continual breakdown and decay of teeth, resulting in a severely degraded oral condition that can impact the patient’s ability to eat and receive proper nourishment.
Costa Rica has become a global destination for patient’s with Sjogren’s Syndrome due to the many successful cases of patients treated at Goodness Dental in Costa Rica. An American-owned dental clinic with a reputation as a leading clinic for dental implants, All on 4 and full mouth restorations, Goodness Dental has become a globally recommended clinic for patients with Sjogren’s Syndrome.
A highly specialized protocol that involves periodontists, prosthodontists, endodontists and maxillofacial surgeons helps patients achieve a full, healthy smile that can endure the symptoms that plague Sjogren’s sufferers. Full mouth restorations or dental implant solutions using the All on 4 procedure can cost $50,000-$75,000 in the USA. In Costa Rica, Goodness Dental patients report spending an average of $20,000 to $25,000 for a full mouth solution.
The Sjogren’s Syndrome dental restoration protocol includes personal one-on-one attention with leading specialists with years of experience managing the unique and often demanding needs of Sjogren’s patients. Most patients begin their process with a phone call to discuss their case and needs with a trained specialized patient coordinator. Patients should be prepared to send recent x-rays, CT/CBCT scans for review and diagnosis. The care and treatment team will review your case and provide you with a general estimate of needs and pricing. This estimate will be updated when the patient receives the clinical examination at Goodness Dental.
Upon arrival in Costa Rica, our hospitality representative will pick you up at the airport and take you to your hotel. Local transportation is included for free as a sign of our commitment to patient care and comfort. Your hospitality agent will be available to you throughout your visit to provide you with the highest level of personal service. When you meet with your care team, various specialists will be present to explain the details of your treatment plan and care protocol. American patients report that Goodness Dental exceeds the level of care, professionalism and service available anywhere in the USA.
Read a patient review from Kathy from New Hampshire.
(Courtesy of CostaRicaDentalGuide.com)
“After years of watching my teeth decay and crumble apart because of several medical conditions, the search was on. Little did I know that the cost of dental implants would be so high in the United States.
When I found Dr. Peter Aborn (with Goodness Dental), I immediately connected with him. Knowing that they use the newest technology available and knowing that the doctors come to the US to train was also very comforting to me.
The entire staff at Goodness Dental was working on my case well before we went down. We found everyone at Goodness Dental to be true professionals. They took the time to answer my questions and explain everything making us feel comfortable and confident in our decisions. They are definitely experts in what they do!
Everyone at Goodness Dental is so friendly and caring and they go out of their way to make me comfortable and relaxed. They care about every patient and do everything they can to help them achieve a beautiful healthy smile. They truly do make you feel like family.
THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. Being a complicated (Sjogren’s Syndrome) case…your skill and experience got us through. You have made me smile again…and that makes me happy. There are no words to describe how thrilled I am with the results. I finally have the smile I always wanted. If I could add more than 5 stars, I would!”
-Kathy
Goodness Dental is ranked as the #1 dental clinic in Costa Rica by Global Clinic Rating and CostaRicaDentalGuide.com. Goodness Dental is the only clinic in Costa Rica qualified to treat patients with Sjogren’s Syndrome.
Goodness Dental is also affiliated with the Sjogren’s Syndrome Foundation.