Can Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Cause Problems with Dental Procedures?

Medical Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

Ask the experts

Are there any precautions to treating patients with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome in the dental office?

Doctor's response

Generally, persons with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome can undergo routine dental procedures without difficulty. There are a few points of caution, however.

Some forms of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome can predispose to fragile blood vessels and appropriate bleeding observations and precautions should be in place.

Furthermore, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type X in particular is associated with a heart valve abnormality, mitral valve prolapse. Ehlers-Danlos syndromes can overlap. The standard precautions regarding mitral valve prolapse condition are advised in these patients.

Serious forms of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome can have poor tissue healing and difficulty with retaining sutures in place if oral surgery is needed.