Teeth problems after radiation treatment

miklosk,

Welcome to the H&N forum, you skipped over all the side effects and gone straight to teeth.

I don’t have any information about teeth, from what I’ve been reading I am just waiting for them to fall out, but so far so good at 14 months post.

I do have information about one thing; you look like a real cool cat. I am glad to see you have your sun protection.

Good luck on the teeth (or tooth) it is defiantly the most popular subject going.

Matt

I had gone to a Cancer specialist in dental care to consult - but the surgeon who pulled  15 of my teeth  last week had told me that in his experience after 2-3 years the upper jaw often can have enough blood flow that has returned to not caue a problem while the lower jaw is slower to add blood supply. Maybe you can find a university in your are that has such a cancer dental support - I went here  UMKC

Welcome...

Like mentioned, a lot depends upon if the tooth you mention is upper or lower...

Lower being more prone to problems due to possible infection, healing and recovery.. But even that is not a given...

I seem to remember more than a few here that have lower teeth extracted with no issues, and without HBO, etc...

I'd first approach it with a dentist very familiar with H&N Cancer Treatment involving radiation. I would presume they can determine if the added procedures are warranted...

Best,

John

Why does the tooth need to be pulled? In my case, four years after treatment my right lower jaw tooth became loose. So I went to the dentist and the x-ray showed dead bone under the tooth. That is osteoradionucrosis from radiation treatment. In this case you must have HBO to restore capillary circulation or it won't heal after  the extraction. Also the dead bone needs to be removed down to bleeding bone. I had Medicare as a supplement to my wifes insurance  and all my HBO treatments were paid as a medical expense not dental.

It is important that your doctors are famiiar with post radiation treatment problems. I was fortlunate to have an oral surgeon who was very knowleglable in head and neck treatment for cancer.

miklosk said:

Thanks

Thanks so much for getting back to me so fast. I skipped over the other side effects as they are just not as life threatening as the teeth problem for me. I am still suffering from fatique, thyroid issues and dry mouth all which are being addressed through medication and dietary changes. 

I am a solar person and need the sun to keep me warm and energized. I do however wear 100 on my neck when in the sun and wear something to protect my head. I am also an avid motorcyclist and now wear the dreaded full face helmet which I hate but safety first. 

Thanks again

Miklos

Miklos

I have had two teeth extracted on separate occaisions after my radiation treatment. One due to a cracked root and the other because it was in the way after a buccal flap was used to close exposed bone after a surgery. In both cases my doctors at MD Anderson orderd HBO treatments. 35 before the extraction and 10 after. I had 70 Gy to the mandible involved. Other than being bored out of my mind during 2 different sessions of 45 HBO treatments, I had no major problems and healed well. My insurance was through United Healthcare and there was no issue regarding coverage. Best of luck and don't neglect your teeth. Keep up with the flouride.

Rick

I had to have four teeth yanked (bottom front) due to radiation. Three of them broke off before I finished HBO post extractions. Two Dentists and the Oral Surgeon all said keep the rest and definitely sit through the boring HBO. I stressed that in the event one or more teeth went bad in the future I didn’t want to go through HBO again and both dentists felt the rest of my teeth will be fine. Like others have said your insurance needs to know that it is medically necessary in order for them to cover the HBO. I healed really well after having them pulled on the day Hurricane Sandy hit the east coast.

Now I gots me some new toofers and I look normal again. However I will never ever act normal.

      Jeff

Sheilarhc said:

HBO

 Did 20 dives of HBO prior to extraction and 10 dives after.  A few doctors have told me I will never have to have HBO again and others that have said if I need more extractions or implants I would only have to do 10 dives after surgery.  I’m not sure I’m buyin what they’re selling but I’m glad I did it.  Better to be safe than sorry…..even if it’s them most boring two hours of your life. 

I've had a total of 124 dives since 2009 and have never received a bill.  Medicare and BCBS paid the whole thing.

dennis318 said:

Good For You

I had 30 HBO and was lucky that Blue Cross Shield of Michigan just started paying it that year....they cam after me for 68,000 from a credit agency after they told me it was approved, cancer and creditors don't mix......they finally paid it after a yearglad you fellow cancers people got it so quickly..take care Dennis

I have 5 teeth rotting from the tom of the gum lines and I have no  dentistry insurance, will Medicaid pay for the repairs to have them filled? Thanks Dennis, where do i check?

Please I am in need of some info. My husband had his radiation therapy 12 years ago and had all of his upper teeth pulled about 6-7years ago without any problems and no HBO treatments (didn't even know about this:((. But now he has a lower wisdom tooth that is not impacted but is starting to decay and the oral surgeon refuses to pull it unless he gets thes HBO treatments?? My husband is in perfect health otherwise. any feed back would be greatly appreciated

God Bless all survivors and never give up hope.

hlrowe said:

Not necessary for extractions

I don't believe hyperbaric treatments are necessary for an extraction per my periodontist and rad onc. If you want an implant then you would need to get the O2 treatments before and after.

Hi new to this board. Did you or some one you know have a tooth extracted with HBO treatments and what was the out come? My husband has  to have a lower tooth pulled and is a 12 yr survivor and does not want to go to HBO treatments we are torn on what to do:((