Dental work pre radiation

arlinef4253
arlinef4253 Member Posts: 4
edited February 2018 in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Recently diagnosed with HPV base of tongue cancer (Stage 1, I think). Rad Onc at Moffitt Cancer Center told me to see DDS before beginning treatment. Oral health poor, knew I needed extractions prior to cancer. I would like to have dental work prior to beginning radiation (33-35),no chemo,  now Rad Onc says just to schedule initial simulation visit and not to take care of dental issues. DDS says to have work completed and healed prior to radiation which makes sense to me. It would mean delaying treatment for 4-6 weeks. Anyone have thoughts on this issue. Conflicting information from MD...thanks

Comments

  • Frances_S
    Frances_S Member Posts: 54
    #2
    Dental Treatment

    My husband had the same problem. Extraction can take 4-6 weeks to heal. He had no choice to do the extractions because they were in the radiation field. The uper left side was not in the field so he decided to wait and save those teeth. If the teeth in question are in the radiation field and need to be extracted it's is best to do this before the radiation. We we told extracting the teeth that are in the radiation field after the treatment can caise the jaw bone to shatter causing further complications. You should have the radiation doctor and the dentist talk to determine what is necessary at this time. We had to put my husbands treatment off until he was healed. Whishing you all the Best!

  • Darkdancer333
    Darkdancer333 Member Posts: 115 Member
    #3
    I saw my dentist today. HE

    I saw my dentist today. HE did paradontal and next week cavities filled and 3 extractions. I told him radiation in about two weeks. He said he deals with oral cancer patients and he told me extracions first. Radiation can be in two weeks. 

  • SuzJ
    SuzJ Member Posts: 446 Member
    #4
    Mouths heal pretty fast

    Mouths heal pretty fast BEFORE radiation. After, not so much. Get the teeth over and done with - one step at a time.

  • arlinef4253
    arlinef4253 Member Posts: 4
    #5
    SuzJ said:

    Mouths heal pretty fast

    Mouths heal pretty fast BEFORE radiation. After, not so much. Get the teeth over and done with - one step at a time.

    Thanks, that's the intention.

    Thanks, that's the intention.

  • arlinef4253
    arlinef4253 Member Posts: 4
    edited February 2018 #6
    Frances_S said:

    Dental Treatment

    My husband had the same problem. Extraction can take 4-6 weeks to heal. He had no choice to do the extractions because they were in the radiation field. The uper left side was not in the field so he decided to wait and save those teeth. If the teeth in question are in the radiation field and need to be extracted it's is best to do this before the radiation. We we told extracting the teeth that are in the radiation field after the treatment can caise the jaw bone to shatter causing further complications. You should have the radiation doctor and the dentist talk to determine what is necessary at this time. We had to put my husbands treatment off until he was healed. Whishing you all the Best!

    Thanks

    thanks, intend to have dental work done first. 

  • arlinef4253
    arlinef4253 Member Posts: 4
    #7
    Darkdancer333 said:

    I saw my dentist today. HE

    I saw my dentist today. HE did paradontal and next week cavities filled and 3 extractions. I told him radiation in about two weeks. He said he deals with oral cancer patients and he told me extracions first. Radiation can be in two weeks. 

    Thanks

    my DDS said the same, intend to have dental work then radiatio. Thanks

  • Sprint Car Dude
    Sprint Car Dude Member Posts: 181
    #8
    Well

    My Oncologist had me take care of any dental issues before treatment started. I was delayed by only about 2 weeks. I had my SIM done in those 2 weeks as well.  I did 2 dental visits one week and 2 the second week and BAM. It was game time.  Good Luck.

  • tommyodavey
    tommyodavey Member Posts: 728 Member
    #9
    Talk to Doctor

    Instead of just hearing the opinion of the Onc, ask your primary cancer doctor the question if you have one.  If not, get a second opinion. The only reason I can see doing the rads first would be if your C is far advanced. I agree with everyone else.  The jaw just heals slowly or not at all depending on how many rads you get. 

    We who had radiation fear having a tooth pulled wondering if it will heal properly.  Then there's the HBO treatment.  Hope you can get it all done beforehand w/o making things worse.

  • Darkdancer333
    Darkdancer333 Member Posts: 115 Member
    #10
    I was told today putting my

    I was told today putting my treatment off for 2 weeks so the extractions can heal, would not affect me at all

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