Dental problems after radiation, 2nd time

ggpierce said:

One thing I have discovered
One thing I have discovered is, don't get in any hurry. I have sent in emails to the american dental ****., acs, several dentists, two universities. Still waiting. I have heard from acs. they referred me to a couple websites to explore. At the rate my teeth have started falling apart I can't wait. I am making an apt. next week to start pulling the worst of them. They are cutting my lips, tongue and cheeks.

luv4lacrosse said:

UNIVERSITY DENTAL SCHOOLS
Have you looked into a Universities Dental School? My mom years ago was given free and some discouted dental work / procedures through a University School of Dentistry here in St. Louis.

Mike

ggpierce said:

Update* I have talked with
Update* I have talked with my Dr. and Vanderbilt, he suggests the Hyperbaric Oxygen treatment if you are more than 1 year out from treatment, not before, and the farther out from treatment you are the better. The issue is the possiblility of the Oxygen treatments "kick starting" a dormant cancer cell that might still be hanging around. He says studies show the possiblility of this, but no numbers on the studies. So I'm 2 years out, I've already had some teeth pulled and they healed up alright. I am going to see an oral surgeon today, if he agree's I am going to forego the Oxygen treatment and get them pulled. The greatest danger is with the back teeth, I only have 4 left so I think I will be good. Vandy has a Dental school, so I may get help there.
I will post an update when I know something.

Thanks for your input.

ggpierce said:

I met with the Oral Surgeons
I met with the Oral Surgeons yesterday and Vanderbilt. They consulted with my ENT Onclology/surgeon, and have suggested no HBO treatment. One of the determining factors was that I had a tooth pulled about 9 months ago and it healed up OK. They are scheduling me to have all removed, in an operating room to do it as "gently" as possible.

So, waiting for them to call and let me know when.

Wish me luck, and no pain. HA HA!

denistd said:

Teeth
Glad you are getting them done in a hospital setting, thats where mine was done. I looked last night at my account page with Highmark, it showed the hospital was paid $13,000, this does not include the surgeons fee as he is independent, I am told it's around $5,000, this to get 17 teeth extracted, it was done as outpatient. Good luck lad. Denis

ljoy said:

Dental Problems
When I had oral surgery a year ago the cost was filed on Medical insurance and not dental since it was caaused by radiation treatment for tonsil cancer. You may want to check your medical coverage if you have it.

I have had so much radiation from fighting cancer for 20 years that my Saliva glands were fried, as well as my Thyroid gland. My Oral Surgeon said he needed to remove some of my teeth, even the $10K beautiful porcelin crowns that I had done in 2006, post radiation, may have to come out?. The surgeon said the extractions/surgery  was covered as was the 30 Hyperberic treatments that were also covered to make sure the healing would take place without infections. The day of the surgery he said, "oh by the way, your insurance is not going to pay for the extractions!" What, I said. They covered the Hyperberic treatments that cost $40K, but they will not cover the extractions. He said he fought with the insurance(Medicare, and med part B? We had to cough up $1600.00 that minute to go ahead with the surgery. We then were told he may have to extract some more, and then again later, he said all of them!? So now here we are with 20 more teeth to come out in two different stages, the cost will be, with no complications, another $4K!! Radiaiton is a medical procedure which caused my teeth to crack, flake, break off, and decay. The Hyperberic was covered($40K) for the Dental peocedure, so why isn't the oral surgery covered?? This is obsurd, and expensive since I am on a fixed income of disability and Soc. Security!! After all is said and done, the Orthodontist wants $8K to replace my teeth with dentures?!!!!I can not afford this all at once, and they want half of the money up front with the other half when finished in 4-6 weeks!!!?? I just maybe will be without any teeth for some time. I have gone thru enough, and now I will not be able to chew my food or enjoy the rest of my pitiful life that has already been a chambles with no voice box, and not having a quality life what so ever!! Anybody know of anyone who can answer these questions, or advise me of what I can do?????