Ug... tops on teeth need to be added again- Tooth Guard Question

Logan51
Logan51 Member Posts: 464 Member
edited March 2019 in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Well, I finally did what I've been putting-off. Post-Rads, have had tops added to 12 teeth in the past 7 years, with a couple of them twice. Now I need 5 more @ $200/tooth. Can literally see the inside of one tooth w/small bloodline between said and outer tooth. And the one- looks like a little drilling will needed to be done. This will put me close to $14-K out of pocket just for dental in the forestated duration. Seems like it might have been more cost-effective to have all my teeth pulled and dentures made...

AND this again brings up the subject of tooth protection in the Rad sessions- the teeth don't have the C. The one poster talked about his Dr. making sure he had his lower flouride tray on during the sessions to protect the teeth, or deflect the Rads. SSSOOO- anyone getting zapped in the mouth now, or in the future, should make inquiries about this. My wallet is proof of that. 

Anybody else have a similar experience with the tops of their teeth?

Comments

  • wbcgaruss
    wbcgaruss Member Posts: 2,260 Member
    Not in Your Situation

    But I am about your age and do have teeth that need filled or pulled now and then and fillings coming loose and need to be refilled. I attribute some to aging, some to cancer care, and some to not being diligent when I was younger. Your investment is a good one because once we lose them they are gone and false teeth although well made and fitted are good they are just never the same.. It's a worthwhile investment but I think at some point you have asked yourself do I keep going this way or just try to maintain my teeth and as I lose them finally get false teeth. Dave with these tops are they like covers or an epoxy? And how long do they last I see you say you had a couple redone?

  • Logan51
    Logan51 Member Posts: 464 Member
    wbcgaruss said:

    Not in Your Situation

    But I am about your age and do have teeth that need filled or pulled now and then and fillings coming loose and need to be refilled. I attribute some to aging, some to cancer care, and some to not being diligent when I was younger. Your investment is a good one because once we lose them they are gone and false teeth although well made and fitted are good they are just never the same.. It's a worthwhile investment but I think at some point you have asked yourself do I keep going this way or just try to maintain my teeth and as I lose them finally get false teeth. Dave with these tops are they like covers or an epoxy? And how long do they last I see you say you had a couple redone?

    wc

    Not sure what the stuff is, but it gets put on the tops like it should be- then the dental aide zaps it with heating element 3 times. Should have and can ask what it is. As for how long each lasts- around 2-4 years on teeth used often when eating, which is one of the reasons I have changed my diet to very soft foods and the 3-Ensure breakfasts.

  • wbcgaruss
    wbcgaruss Member Posts: 2,260 Member
    Logan51 said:

    wc

    Not sure what the stuff is, but it gets put on the tops like it should be- then the dental aide zaps it with heating element 3 times. Should have and can ask what it is. As for how long each lasts- around 2-4 years on teeth used often when eating, which is one of the reasons I have changed my diet to very soft foods and the 3-Ensure breakfasts.

    Well Dave

    My heart goes out to ya, sorry you have this problem with your teeth. Too bad it is not a permanent fix at $200 a tooth. If you find out what it is called that may help others with an idea that may help their situation. As far as I can tell I don't have the same thing going on as my dentist has never mentioned anything like it. By the way, I printed out your original post on this and gave it to my dentist for his information. My teeth are holding up surprisingly well for the most part but since treatment, I do a lot of extra dental maintenance and get my teeth cleaned every 6 months and they coat them with whatever fluoride treatment the dentist has. My 4 front uppers though had caps on and they were probably put on at least 30-35 years ago and finally over the years decay can sneak in underneath the edge and the base basically holding the cap breaks off. I think this is probably normal aging-not sure I guess less saliva could play a role in some of this. So the 4 are gone and now I have a small partial plate for the 4 front upper. Just last week I had to have a lower molar pulled as my jaw swelled up from the tooth being infected. Seems we all have different degrees of tooth problems on here. Take care-God Bless

  • DarcyS
    DarcyS Member Posts: 81 Member
    Mouth/ teeth guards

    Sorry to hear about your ongoing dental problems.  When my husband started treatment the first thing his doctor had him do was have special teeth guards made for during radiation.  His regular dentist made them from the radiation doctor's directions.  We knew nothing about these and were so thankful the UofC makes this recommendation to their patients. He has not had any problems with his teeth 6+ years out.  I would encourage anyone having radiation to ask about mouth guards.

  • wbcgaruss
    wbcgaruss Member Posts: 2,260 Member
    It is not a Standard Procedure

    I will ask at support meeting tomorrow if anyone was told about teeth protection during radiation.

  • Logan51
    Logan51 Member Posts: 464 Member
    Darcy

    Darcy- THANK YOU

    When did your Hubby have his Rads- 2013? Mine was back in Feb.-April of 2009. I ask this because of my U of Iowa Hospital visit to the head of the Dental Department in late-2010. When he asked if I was on flouride trays, and I said nobody had said anything about that to me, he lowered his eyes to the floor and shook his head, saying, "That's been the standard here for close to 30 years- but he did not say during the Rad sessions." THUS, I wonder if they've been using guards that long- and maybe the U of C has too, and I could sue the local Regional Cancer Center of the Quad Cities for the costs I've had. The basis of such a law suit would be dependent on the date the guards became standard.

    Keep in mind I was Nasopharyngeal w/unknown Primary and got zapped in 20 places/session- probably half in the neck, but that leaves 10/session in the mouth- nose- upper throat area. Forgot to ask Dentist about this, but have another appointment on 4/9, and will ask him- he has close ties to the U of Iowa, where he went to school and does volunteer teaching work at the separate Dental College (not the University Hospital).

    Please- anyone w/experience having tooth guards during the Rad sessions, please respond w/what year your tx was.

    Thank you

    And WBC- thank you, and hope you hear something at the support meeting.

  • MarineE5
    MarineE5 Member Posts: 1,030 Member
    Dave K

    I had Flouride Trays made in Sept of 2004 when talking with the Cancer Dentist. He instructed me to wear the Trays during my Radiation treatments, both upper and lower trays. I am not sure if these are considered to be protective trays, but he said that it will help my teeth from the Radiation. 

    I used the Trays for roughly 5 years and then was switched to another Dentist. The new Dentist had me stop the Trays and use the Flouride Gel via toothbrush. Told to do the same daily routine, use the Flouride and let it sit on my teeth for 30 minutes before rinsing. It has helped for the most part, had a few cavities over the years, and a couple of caps due to me biting on some hard Pretzels years ago, learned my lesson on that.. 

    My Best to You and Everyone Here

  • Logan51
    Logan51 Member Posts: 464 Member
    Thank yous

    Marine- will make a copy of your post and give to my Dentist. Where did you get your Rads- the hospital or city? Thank you.

    Thank you again, Darcy.

  • DarcyS
    DarcyS Member Posts: 81 Member
    2012 treatment

    Dave K, my husband had his treatment July- October of 2012.  His teeth guards were not the fluoride trays but  were made specifically to help protect his teeth and tissues of his mouth from radiation burns.  He was told the fillings in his teeth could cause some mouth burns.  The Floriide trays were recommended for after treatment and he does not use these.  

  • bugsyboy
    bugsyboy Member Posts: 39
    Mouth Stent

    Dave, prior to treatment my team had me fitted for a mouth stent.  It was a large mouthguard that I wore during each treatment.  It was quite large and made it impossible to speak with any clarity.  I believe it was used to keep my tongue out of the way and possibly keep my teeth shielded, but I cannot say for sure.  I do know between it and the mask, I was quite immobile from the chest up during treatments.  I think my eyes were the only thing I could move, but I kept them closed.

    Best of luck.

    Bugsy

  • MarineE5
    MarineE5 Member Posts: 1,030 Member
    Logan51 said:

    Thank yous

    Marine- will make a copy of your post and give to my Dentist. Where did you get your Rads- the hospital or city? Thank you.

    Thank you again, Darcy.

    Dave K

    I received my Radiation at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. I live in the suburbs and drove myself to each of them (30). 

  • Logan51
    Logan51 Member Posts: 464 Member
    MarineE5

    Thank you.

  • Garrie
    Garrie Member Posts: 12
    Teeth protection

    I was diagnosed with squamous  cell carcinoma hpv last summer. Primary tumor  was on the back of my tongue and 1 cancerous lymph node in my neck.I am 5 months post treatment now (NED).

    I was sent to a dentist before my radiation started to have my teeth checked. The dentist told me l did not need a fluoride  tray but to begin using  the high strength  fluoride  toothpaste....."Colgate Prevident  Booster Plus " a few times a day. I still use it now and will continue for the rest of my life. You brush your teeth with only toothpaste.....no water and let it sit in your mouth for 10 minutes  then spit out . You must not eat or drink for 30 minutes

     

     

     

    However,  when l went to get fitted for my mask the technician  said he wanted to make me a mouth guard as well. The guard for my teeth just resembled  a mouth guard l used to wear when l played hockey . So, that's what l used during treatment. There was obviously a difference  of opinion between  my dentist and radiation technition  but l wasn't going to argue about the added protection.

    So far my teeth and gums are okay .

    Sorry too hear about your dental issues. I wish you all the best in fighting these dreaded side affects.

     

  • Logan51
    Logan51 Member Posts: 464 Member
    Garrie said:

    Teeth protection

    I was diagnosed with squamous  cell carcinoma hpv last summer. Primary tumor  was on the back of my tongue and 1 cancerous lymph node in my neck.I am 5 months post treatment now (NED).

    I was sent to a dentist before my radiation started to have my teeth checked. The dentist told me l did not need a fluoride  tray but to begin using  the high strength  fluoride  toothpaste....."Colgate Prevident  Booster Plus " a few times a day. I still use it now and will continue for the rest of my life. You brush your teeth with only toothpaste.....no water and let it sit in your mouth for 10 minutes  then spit out . You must not eat or drink for 30 minutes

     

     

     

    However,  when l went to get fitted for my mask the technician  said he wanted to make me a mouth guard as well. The guard for my teeth just resembled  a mouth guard l used to wear when l played hockey . So, that's what l used during treatment. There was obviously a difference  of opinion between  my dentist and radiation technition  but l wasn't going to argue about the added protection.

    So far my teeth and gums are okay .

    Sorry too hear about your dental issues. I wish you all the best in fighting these dreaded side affects.

     

    Garrie

    As with the others who have come forward with their guard usage, I thank you. And, did not know that about the Colgate. I've been using the generic Sodium Flouride toothpaste. Remember one of the Dr.s mentioning Crest Pro Health, and that's the one I use in the AM.

    Thanks again.

  • Logan51
    Logan51 Member Posts: 464 Member
    MarineE5 said:

    Dave K

    I received my Radiation at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. I live in the suburbs and drove myself to each of them (30). 

    Driving

    Drove myself, too, in weeks #1, 4, 7 & 8. No Rads in 5, and was in Hospital in 6, so only needed the 2 weeks- no shape to drive with the liquid Morphine starting in #2. Would only use the weeks I drove after I got home. 

    By the way, had an Uncle named James Hill in the Marines. Tarawa survivor- WWII's worst battle, according to some. C ended-up killing him at the age of 58 (lung). Built like a rock, his hobby was breaking horses! Even bought and moved family to farm. 

  • EllenG.
    EllenG. Member Posts: 5
    edited April 2019 #17
    MarineE5 and Dave K

    I am currently undergoing radiation treatment for ENB (Olfactory Neuroblastoma) and I go to a special prosthodontic dentist here in LA who made a mouth guard that I wear during treatment that is primarily for protecting my tongue, but I also have trays for nightly fluoride treatments that I leave in for 5 minutes and then don't rinse my mouth for 30 minutes after treatment.  I understand that I will be on the fluoride trays for some time after radiation is completed, but I am surprised to hear that MarineE5 used the trays for so long after treatment.  Did you use them daily for 5 years? My radiation treatment will be completed in a week and I have lots of questions regarding what to expect post treatment.  I'm glad to see so many topics in these forums that pertain to me.

  • ERomanO
    ERomanO Member Posts: 317 Member
    EllenG. said:

    MarineE5 and Dave K

    I am currently undergoing radiation treatment for ENB (Olfactory Neuroblastoma) and I go to a special prosthodontic dentist here in LA who made a mouth guard that I wear during treatment that is primarily for protecting my tongue, but I also have trays for nightly fluoride treatments that I leave in for 5 minutes and then don't rinse my mouth for 30 minutes after treatment.  I understand that I will be on the fluoride trays for some time after radiation is completed, but I am surprised to hear that MarineE5 used the trays for so long after treatment.  Did you use them daily for 5 years? My radiation treatment will be completed in a week and I have lots of questions regarding what to expect post treatment.  I'm glad to see so many topics in these forums that pertain to me.

    I was never told to use any

    I was never told to use any kind of mouth guard during radiation, but I had my dental trays made about midway through and like many/most here was instructed to use those trays just as you were every day for the rest of my life.