Hyperbaric therapy treatment

Robyn64
Robyn64 Member Posts: 124
edited September 2018 in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Hi there,

Its been a very long time since I was in here last.

I had cancer, base of tongue back in mid 2014. Was absolutely terrified. Got very sick for a good year and a half. Had a stomach tube put into my stomach and couldn't swallow food by the 5th week of 6 radiation treatment.

Anyway, 4 years on. Doing well except a dry mouth but now have 2 teeth infected inside at the very back, one top and 1 bottom.

After speaking with 2 dentists through the cancer clinic was told I need a specialist to extract teeth and they can't just be taken out. I don't seem to be in any pain there now but was on and off a few months back.

But results show an infection.

Referred to an oral facial maxillo surgeon. Got a letter after he was waiting on my cancer records, telling me that I do need hyperbaric therapy before extraction. 

I've heard that hyperbaric therapy can be good. But at the same time I do wonder why does he think I need it. I have to get one more scan done before I see him to discuss this therapy. Does this mean my blood flow is in a bad state, can it be that bad ?

Although I sort of wanted the therapy, makes me wonder how weak is my system to require this just for teeth out ?

Has anybody else had this therapy ? Is it easy to get through ?

He told me in my 1st consultation that if I need it, it will be for 4 weeks.

Once I'm at a safe level, I guess, to extract teeth, do I stay at that level or slowly go back to be before therapy ??

I'm just worried, as I'm unsure what to expect from this.

Thank you,

Robyn64

Comments

  • wbcgaruss
    wbcgaruss Member Posts: 2,484 Member
    #2
    Robyn64 Good you Checked

    Before you had them taken out and made people aware of previous treatment. People have had trouble healing at times after extraction and it can lead to replacing jawbone if it gets infected and won't heal up. I've never had hyperbaric myself but have read about it and seen it discussed on here. It depends on how close the radiation is to your teeth that need attention. Essentially, the radiation destroys some of the very small blood vessels within the bone. So your blood flow is not in a bad state but blood vessels are damaged. I have had several teeth extracted but did not need hyperbaric as apparently, my radiation was far enough away from my jawbone and teeth. Your system isn't weak I think this enriches the oxygen in your body to promote quick healing which eliminates problems with the jawbone with the damaged blood vessels. I think some even get it before and right after surgery or extractions usually about 30 treatments or dives as most refer to them. Here is a link to a great article explaining it at the Oral Cancer Foundation----

    https://oralcancerfoundation.org/complications/osteoradionecrosis/

    This will explain it much better than I can-God Bless & good luck-Russ

     

     

  • Robyn64
    Robyn64 Member Posts: 124
    #3
    wbcgaruss said:

    Robyn64 Good you Checked

    Before you had them taken out and made people aware of previous treatment. People have had trouble healing at times after extraction and it can lead to replacing jawbone if it gets infected and won't heal up. I've never had hyperbaric myself but have read about it and seen it discussed on here. It depends on how close the radiation is to your teeth that need attention. Essentially, the radiation destroys some of the very small blood vessels within the bone. So your blood flow is not in a bad state but blood vessels are damaged. I have had several teeth extracted but did not need hyperbaric as apparently, my radiation was far enough away from my jawbone and teeth. Your system isn't weak I think this enriches the oxygen in your body to promote quick healing which eliminates problems with the jawbone with the damaged blood vessels. I think some even get it before and right after surgery or extractions usually about 30 treatments or dives as most refer to them. Here is a link to a great article explaining it at the Oral Cancer Foundation----

    https://oralcancerfoundation.org/complications/osteoradionecrosis/

    This will explain it much better than I can-God Bless & good luck-Russ

     

     

    Thank you so much for your reply

    Thank you so much for your message and link Russ.

    Very much appreciated,

    Robyn

  • SASH
    SASH Member Posts: 421 Member
    #4
    HBO

    I went through Hyperbaric Oxygen Theropy before they removed the last of my lower teeth.  Others prior to those last 4 had broken and removed without HBO and they healed ok, but with the last 4 they were also putting in posts for implants so I could get a permanent denture.  

    The HBO treatment is very easy, just time consuming.  It consists of about 2 1/2 hours per day for the number of treatments recommended.  In my case it was supposed to be 30 before extraction surgery and another 10 a couple of weeks after.  

    They are propbably concerned about having enough blood flow to allow the healing.  The HBO just helps promote the healing.

  • hlrowe
    hlrowe Member Posts: 80
    #5
    Did he rely on the radiation

    Did he rely on the radiation oncologist(s) recommendations? I had 12 teeth removed in April (they just went downhill since 2012) and my oral surgeon relied on what my rad oncs recommended. I did not need HBO. Anyway, I had to wait 8 weeks for my gums to heal after extractions before getting the final partial dentures. My tumor was down near my epiglottis so my gums probably received much less radiation than a base of tongue.

  • Robyn64
    Robyn64 Member Posts: 124
    #6
    hlrowe said:

    Did he rely on the radiation

    Did he rely on the radiation oncologist(s) recommendations? I had 12 teeth removed in April (they just went downhill since 2012) and my oral surgeon relied on what my rad oncs recommended. I did not need HBO. Anyway, I had to wait 8 weeks for my gums to heal after extractions before getting the final partial dentures. My tumor was down near my epiglottis so my gums probably received much less radiation than a base of tongue.

    He has access to my cancer records.

    Hi there,

    My maxillo surgeon had asked for access to all my cancer records and also those from my normal dentist. I cant remember how they rate it or the name but he said if I was 60 or less that I would not need hbt. Unfortunately my records state 75 and he said my radiation recieved was high dosage which means hyperbaric therapy.

    I am absolutely terrified. Just waiting to hear back about next step. He said 30 visits , then extraction then 10 more visits. He says he thinks I will be ok and will do everything by the book. He explained worst case if it doesnt work, I tried to hold it together , left his office at end of consult and broke down.

    Im now wondering is it possible that I might get dentures ??? Im thinking long term , I feel Icould end up with infections again down the track , would it be easier to get dentures ? I have no clue , am I eligible for such a thing ??

    Is it easier for somebody who had recieved high dosage radiation to have dentures instead of own teeth, to eliminate any future infections etc ? Im scared of anything happening to my mouth now and not healing. Am I overthinking this ?

    Being 54 , Im thinking like 5 or 10 years ahead , would it be easier for dentures. My teeth are not the very best , but they are all there except 2. No problems before this , now infection showing which I know cannot stay. Im not coping with this very well and if I have to go through it again, I will loose it. Should I ask about dentures and just get this all out of the way . Im unsure if Im even eligible ?

    Thank you ,

    Robyn64

     

  • hlrowe
    hlrowe Member Posts: 80
    edited September 2018 #7
    You only need dentures if you

    You only need dentures if you cannot eat well with your remaining teeth. The main thing affecting your teeth is dry mouth. Decay can happen more rapidly and plaque builds up. I wouldn't worry about infections from radiation. The teeth themselves could care less about the radiation per my rad onc. Now, dry mouth and blood flow in your gums is another story. If you can, get cleanings every 3 or 4 months instead of the normal 6.

    I received the max 70 Grays but the majority of that was aimed at the tumor in my neck. Finished June 1012. 12 of my teeth went downhill the last the few years and started breaking off at the gum line. I was told I was not a good candidate for implants so I went the extraction/dentures route. Reason they recommended against implants is the bone they add may not fuse correctly to existing bone in the jaw. This would cause the socket to spin.

     

  • donfoo
    donfoo Member Posts: 1,773 Member
    edited September 2018 #8
    Robyn64 said:

    He has access to my cancer records.

    Hi there,

    My maxillo surgeon had asked for access to all my cancer records and also those from my normal dentist. I cant remember how they rate it or the name but he said if I was 60 or less that I would not need hbt. Unfortunately my records state 75 and he said my radiation recieved was high dosage which means hyperbaric therapy.

    I am absolutely terrified. Just waiting to hear back about next step. He said 30 visits , then extraction then 10 more visits. He says he thinks I will be ok and will do everything by the book. He explained worst case if it doesnt work, I tried to hold it together , left his office at end of consult and broke down.

    Im now wondering is it possible that I might get dentures ??? Im thinking long term , I feel Icould end up with infections again down the track , would it be easier to get dentures ? I have no clue , am I eligible for such a thing ??

    Is it easier for somebody who had recieved high dosage radiation to have dentures instead of own teeth, to eliminate any future infections etc ? Im scared of anything happening to my mouth now and not healing. Am I overthinking this ?

    Being 54 , Im thinking like 5 or 10 years ahead , would it be easier for dentures. My teeth are not the very best , but they are all there except 2. No problems before this , now infection showing which I know cannot stay. Im not coping with this very well and if I have to go through it again, I will loose it. Should I ask about dentures and just get this all out of the way . Im unsure if Im even eligible ?

    Thank you ,

    Robyn64

     

    update?

    Generally, hyperbaric treatment is given if there are concerns the bone holding the teeth being removed may be weak or have reduced blood flow due to rads during treatment. As stated here, in situations where radiation did not do any damage then teeth can be extracted without HBO. Good luck.

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