top of page

Ehlers Danlos Syndrome
Info for Dentists

WHAT IS IT?

 

An inherited connective tissue disorder where a gene mutation creates weakened collagen throughout the body. Collagen is a building block of several different systems throughout the body: musculoskeletal, neurological, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular. This can cause a number of different symptoms with a wide variety of presentation between people

Possible Symptoms

 

Musculoskeletal: pain, dislocations, muscle tightness, poor posture, headaches, chronic fatigue

Cardiovascular: lightheadedness, dizziness, poor

endurance, fainting, referred heart pain

Gastrointestinal: constipation, IBS, issues with eating GERD, bloating

Neurological: poor balance, poor coordination, increased pain perception

Other: easy bruising, skin hyperextensibility, poor immune system, anxiety, depression, issues sleeping

​Considerations for Dentists

​

  • Hypermobility throughout the jaw and cervical spine

  • Possible dizziness and light headedness with quick positional changes

  • Require larger than normal doses of pain medication

  • Anesthesia may have side effects

Modifications for Patients
 

  • Do not rest on the patient’s jaw due to jaw and neck hypermobility

  • Allow patient to take breaks to change jaw position

  • Use a small pillow behind neck and/or low back to decrease irritation

  • Hydrate afterwards

bottom of page