Fixed Implant Supported Rehabilitation of Partially Edentulous Posterior Maxilla in a Patient With Systemic Scleroderma: A Case Report

Systemic Scleroderma (SSc) is an autoimmune disease that affects connective tissue, resulting in hardening skin, reduced vascular perfusion, gingival fibrosis, enlarged periodontal ligament, xerostomia, and trigeminal neuralgia. Secondary effects, including reduced oral opening and reduced manual dexterity may exacerbate the primary effects. Severe bone loss and premature tooth loss are common eventualities of SSc. Removable prosthetics can be a tedious option for these patients as the progression of the disease often leads to the impossibility of obtaining minimal standards of care, including stability, retention, and hygienic maintainability. Implant treatment of patients with Systemic Scleroderma is poorly documented, and common medications used to treat SSc have been considered relative contraindications to the prescription of dental implant therapy. This report describes 1 case after 2 years in function, where dental implants were successfully utilized to offer definitive fixed rehabilitation to a patient with SSc.