teeth

ljoy said:

Teeth Univ of Iowa
I'm currently seeing a U of I dentist in Minnesota who specilizes in "comprimized" dental cases. She trained and spent many years at the U. As others have stated you need a dentist that knows the complications caused from treatment of HNC.

I'm five years out from tonsil cancer. Earlier this year had a tooth come loose and had to under go Hyperbaric treatments and oral surgery caused by the radiatin.

Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

JUDYV5 said:

I totally agree with that
The gastrologist cracked two of my teeth. I reached the coverge max with one. It is truly irritating that the health insurance won't cover it.

JUDYV5 said:

out of pocket for medical. Other then the 45 dollar doctor deductable everything else cost me nothing. Thank God for good medical insurance. (at least)

Hondo said:

Hi Kent
I just got back from MD Anderson last week seeing about my Jaw and teeth problem. As you know there is not a dentist that will touch me because of the Jaw problem but this guy at MD Anderson Dr Mark Chambers said he think he can help me, he just can’t believe my other Oncl doctors left me in this condition.

The plan is to first open the Jaw with a device using gravity this will slowly open it a little each day. When the Jaw is at one inch he will start restoration of the teeth, I asked him you mean you will start pulling the teeth, he said No we will restore your teeth. There may be one or two that will need to come out but we will cross that bridge when we get there.

I have been looking 4 years now for someone like this to help me with my Jaw and teeth problem. You can’t go to a small town dentist you need to go to a place where they know about people who are survivor of cancer to get the right help and treatment.

Take care my friend and keep believing you need a dentist that is a Oncologic Dentisty and Prosthodontics leave the little town guys behind you they can’t help.

Kent Cass said:

Many thanks
to all the responses. And, yes, I use Prevident once/day, as prescribed. Reckon the thing I should do is set-up an appointment in Iowa City via my regular Dr., to get an evaluation and suggestions from the Dental College folks at the U of Iowa. Might take a couple weeks, because of a couple other issues, but that's the plan.

kcass

Tricia02 said:

5 yrs later
5 years later and i too have problems. Apparently they "dropped the ball" with me and i should have been referred to the maxofacial unit before, during and after treatment! It wont happen again I am told, fat lot of use that is to me lol. I had good teeth prior to cancer, and all during treatment and along the way I have gone to my dentist in central London. However, she left the practice and 6 months ago i saw someone else who said they ALL have to come out! I freaked, as this could only be done privately to the tune of £30,000!!!!!!!!! Anyway I got myself home and went to a NHS dentist (state dentist) who said rubbish and she referred me to the maxiofacial unit, which I should have been referred to straight away 5 years ago. I saw them on 4 occasions and they gave me a strict regime of my new hygiene programme. Anyway, long story short 6 months later I go to see the head consultant and apparently whatever I have been doing has worked and no teeth out. I have flouride trays to use in the evening for half an hour and I am very happy. I have my own teeth at the bottom and crowns and bridges at the top and it was the though of losing all of these that was upsetting. I was told also that I could not have any fillings as there was a real danger of necrosis and what was described to me then was horrendous, so its worth checking that out re fillings! Hopefully i get to keep my teeth a few more years lol. But the regime I have to go thru everyday is very time consuming, but obviously worth it.

Txxx

Tricia02 said:

his susan
yes reduced saliva is the main cause, i am not sure if they are more prone to breaking or not, mine didnt break though. I would 100% recommend seeing the dentist at Sloan. I know of no food supplements that help. Apparently with increased flouride this does help enormously ie in my case it took between 4-6 months to get my teeth and gums healthy again using just extra flouride and other gels etc prescribed by the dentist department at the hospital. But I strongly recommend having a chat with the dental department Susan for expert advice on this. Everyone, like me can have advice but were all so different and sometimes require "tailored" treatment for ultimate results. I wish you well.