Dental Impants post radiation

jim and i said:

Yes, Jim's teeth are just

Yes, Jim's teeth are just crumbling away. We have no dental insurance so will probably go with dentures.

Debbie

I was scheduled for implant surgery but battling it out with the insurance company so implants are on hold. I already did 30 HBOT dives. Other than time consuming, 2 hours a day, hyper barics was not at all painful and tx was uneventful. The dental specialist is not comfortable with putting implants on one side lower jaw because of the amount of radiation I received. I think I am more anxious about these implants than I was about surgery, rads and chemo all put together, not sure why.

after 17 years i have had many, many issues with my teeth. i have had no implants, i was told by three different doctors it is a huge risk of infection setting in which would lead to have bone removed. the dentists at Indiana School of Dentistry agree, the risk is not worth it. so i will not even begin to entertain the option. i would rather walk around with no teeth than to have jaw bone removed. 

if and when needed, i will make dentures work for me. 

good luck with you choice. 

john 

Hi.  I had my teeth removed prior to treatment for tonsil cancer and I had 7 implants put in to hold dentures.  Granted I had the implants done prior to radiation but I have seen implanted dentures on the internet that require only 4 implants.  I would definitely get another opinion but this may be a better option. The dentures stay in place with the implants and I am able to eat almost anything,  (with liquids).   I am sorry for your frustration and hope you can get some relief soon.

My husband is supposed to get the process of getting implants started in August or September.  His jawbone and gums were replaced with his fibula and skin grafting, so the tissue and bone being used for the implants were never radiated.  Our radiaiton oncologist said this is the only reason he's approving the procedure.

Sheilarhc said:

Thank you all for your

Thank you all for your comments.  I can't express how much I've suffered from all my dental issues.  Sometimes I feel guilty for being upset or frustrated but the bigger picture is, I'm cancer free.  All the stress and expense over the last few years dealing with these issues has made me feel like, in some way, my cancer is sitting on my shoulder not allowing me to escape.  I did the work, I had the surgery and I endured radiation, endless bouts of thrush, weight loss, hair loss, and my sense of well being.  I struggled to get to the other side and I feel like I'm at another cross in the road.  I get it, it's only teeth.  Who cares about teeth when I survived cancer.  BUT, spending all my time at the dentist getting drilled and glued back together is weighing on me.  I've had many dentists’ tell me implants were out of the question.  My current dentist once told me that even if I was a good candidate, I'd be hard pressed to find a dentist that would even risk it.  BUT, he has since introduced me to an oral surgeon who feels differently and thinks it will work.  I'm almost wondering if permanent dentures is a better way to describe what they are suggesting.  They would put 4 implants on the bottom front jaw and then it’s one piece (of whatever it’s made of) that would hook onto the four implants but It would provide me with a full set of bottom teeth.  I don't know what to do but the prospect of being painfree is very tempting....very, very tempting.  Thank you all for your advice….I really appreciate it. 

God Bless…..

Actually my specialist is planning similar but putting 5-6 implants in mandible now made of my fibula and titanium and attaching a denture to that. I have a temporary denture now with only 4 of my own lower teeth. It's difficult to get in and out because my mouth doesn't open as wide as it used to. This specialist is supposed to be one of the very best so I'm putting my trust in him. He did say he would not put any implants in the other side of lower jaw because of the amount of radiation that I had. The surgeon who spent 19 hours removing the cancer and reconstructing my jaw also has confidence in him.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

Sheilarhc said:

Thank you all for your

Thank you all for your comments.  I can't express how much I've suffered from all my dental issues.  Sometimes I feel guilty for being upset or frustrated but the bigger picture is, I'm cancer free.  All the stress and expense over the last few years dealing with these issues has made me feel like, in some way, my cancer is sitting on my shoulder not allowing me to escape.  I did the work, I had the surgery and I endured radiation, endless bouts of thrush, weight loss, hair loss, and my sense of well being.  I struggled to get to the other side and I feel like I'm at another cross in the road.  I get it, it's only teeth.  Who cares about teeth when I survived cancer.  BUT, spending all my time at the dentist getting drilled and glued back together is weighing on me.  I've had many dentists’ tell me implants were out of the question.  My current dentist once told me that even if I was a good candidate, I'd be hard pressed to find a dentist that would even risk it.  BUT, he has since introduced me to an oral surgeon who feels differently and thinks it will work.  I'm almost wondering if permanent dentures is a better way to describe what they are suggesting.  They would put 4 implants on the bottom front jaw and then it’s one piece (of whatever it’s made of) that would hook onto the four implants but It would provide me with a full set of bottom teeth.  I don't know what to do but the prospect of being painfree is very tempting....very, very tempting.  Thank you all for your advice….I really appreciate it. 

God Bless…..

Reading your latest post I have concerns that one out of many said he would do the implants. Keep in mind the majority isn't ruling here. I would even question the permanent dentures because they have to anchor something into the jaw bone that has been compromised by the radiation. I know all that have made suggestions are based on their individual circumastances but make sure you do what is best for you. Also, keep in mind these doctors have a practice which menas they are not perfect, they are only working towards it. I once asked a sugeon why do you wear a mask so I can't pick you out in a line-up? All kidding aside don't make any snap decisions although either road you choose you will have to have the bad ones pulled which should help with the pain. You can decide how to replace them later.

I never had a gum issue, my lower front four just started breaking off with no pain except for one that hurt off and on for a day or two but the pain stopped and it broke off at the gum line two months later. Three of the four broke off prior to the hyberbaric treatments

Keep us posted

      Jeff