Tooth extractions

ratface
ratface Member Posts: 1,337 Member
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
looking for any tidbits on tooth extractions after treatment. This time last year I was just finishing up the neck disection. I had 39 rads and chemo also. I just got my third tooth abcess since finishing treatment. This last one is because of a failed root canal in which the root has broken off the molar. Wish I hadn't spent the money on the root canal. anyway I need the tooth extracted. it is on the opposite side of the radiation field. Dentist is going to confer with the RAD doctor. just looking for the boards experience on extractions and what was advised. Also di your inurance company pay for hyperbaric treatments and if so what was the company????

Comments

  • denistd
    denistd Member Posts: 597
    #2
    Teeth Extractions
    Hi Ratface, I had some teeth taken out, Medicare and my insurance paid for the entire Hyperbaric treatments but only a portion of the dentists bill.
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #3
    Hi ratface
    I am with you right now checking to see what they will pay for and what the will not pay for. Looks like the hyperbaric treatment is covered but only a small limit on doing any dental work.
  • soccerfreaks
    soccerfreaks Member Posts: 2,788 Member
    #4
    A not so merry trismus
    In my case, they needed to remove a molar on the same side as where the majority of the surgery and rads took place. The issue was my trismus ... the inability to open my mouth to a satisfactory degree at that time.

    Since my dentist found it impossible even to get proper x-rays, I was sent to an oral surgeon who could do panoramic x-rays AND put me under AND, I suppose then, stretch open my mouth so that he could get to the nasty little fellow.

    Neither my health nor dental insurance would cover the oral surgeon. Seems there is often a disconnect between 'normal' and our 'new normal'.

    I wish you the best with this, my friend!

    Take care,

    Joe
  • Kent Cass
    Kent Cass Member Posts: 1,898 Member
    #5
    soccerfreaks said:

    A not so merry trismus
    In my case, they needed to remove a molar on the same side as where the majority of the surgery and rads took place. The issue was my trismus ... the inability to open my mouth to a satisfactory degree at that time.

    Since my dentist found it impossible even to get proper x-rays, I was sent to an oral surgeon who could do panoramic x-rays AND put me under AND, I suppose then, stretch open my mouth so that he could get to the nasty little fellow.

    Neither my health nor dental insurance would cover the oral surgeon. Seems there is often a disconnect between 'normal' and our 'new normal'.

    I wish you the best with this, my friend!

    Take care,

    Joe

    ratface
    Hope all goes well, in the least-expensive ways. My BC/BS doesn't cover dental, so my recent visit to Iowa City because of the damage done by the rads (which BC/BS did cover) was not covered- $240. Get a $902 Crown this Friday, followed soon by another at the same cost, and then they've got something planned to help bolster the back-tips of my big upper front two teeth. Getting expensive, but in the big picture of what everything with the C has cost- I'm doing all right. Best of luck.

    kcass
  • greg from pa
    greg from pa Member Posts: 86
    #6
    teeth
    Hello all I finished treatment 3 months ago, I am now starting to have some dental problems. The treatment worked and I am internally gratefull for that.now, I just have to deal with the side effects. strangest thing too.It started with pain in my upper right molar,I wound up taking pain meds it was throbbing so bad.The doc fit me in that afternoon. He took xrays and probed around,he could not find anything wrong.The pain on top never came back,but,last night I started getting pain on the bottom. I went to see the dentist again today,he did the xrays and exam again the tooth was "normal".He did however say he found an ulcer under the gumline which should heal itself in about 10 days. Well, at any rate I want to be proactive on this and try not to lose too many teeth.I have never heard of a hyperbaric dental treatment. Can anyone tell me anything about it? Greg
  • greg from pa
    greg from pa Member Posts: 86
    #7
    teeth
    Hello all I finished treatment 3 months ago, I am now starting to have some dental problems. The treatment worked and I am internally gratefull for that.now, I just have to deal with the side effects. strangest thing too.It started with pain in my upper right molar,I wound up taking pain meds it was throbbing so bad.The doc fit me in that afternoon. He took xrays and probed around,he could not find anything wrong.The pain on top never came back,but,last night I started getting pain on the bottom. I went to see the dentist again today,he did the xrays and exam again the tooth was "normal".He did however say he found an ulcer under the gumline which should heal itself in about 10 days. Well, at any rate I want to be proactive on this and try not to lose too many teeth.I have never heard of a hyperbaric dental treatment. Can anyone tell me anything about it? Greg
  • fisrpotpe
    fisrpotpe Member Posts: 1,349 Member
    #8
    Two Extractions
    I had two extractions back in early May. My doctor's all believe that having HBO treatments shortly after treatment increases the risk of the oxygen help growth of cancer if it is still there and not detectable. I also think the risk of HBO is not worth it except in extreme conditions. I was treated with an antibiotic for 5 weeks and watched very closely. Every other week for the first two months, then monthly for two months and now on a two month program. FYI, now 7 months the post holes are still there and the skin is barely over the jaw bone. Keeping it clean all the time is most important. I used the syringe many times per day to clean and after two months I bought a water pic and it has not only helped with the cleaning of the potholes, but has helped the rest of my mouth. I wish I would have added it to my cleaning schedule along with brushing, flossing and fluoride.

    Remember it is your choice.

    John

    BTW the med's where paid for and part of the oral extractions by oral surgeon.
  • ratface
    ratface Member Posts: 1,337 Member
    #9
    fisrpotpe said:

    Two Extractions
    I had two extractions back in early May. My doctor's all believe that having HBO treatments shortly after treatment increases the risk of the oxygen help growth of cancer if it is still there and not detectable. I also think the risk of HBO is not worth it except in extreme conditions. I was treated with an antibiotic for 5 weeks and watched very closely. Every other week for the first two months, then monthly for two months and now on a two month program. FYI, now 7 months the post holes are still there and the skin is barely over the jaw bone. Keeping it clean all the time is most important. I used the syringe many times per day to clean and after two months I bought a water pic and it has not only helped with the cleaning of the potholes, but has helped the rest of my mouth. I wish I would have added it to my cleaning schedule along with brushing, flossing and fluoride.

    Remember it is your choice.

    John

    BTW the med's where paid for and part of the oral extractions by oral surgeon.

    it's for oxygen
    From conversations in group from a lady who has had many of them, Hyperbaric treatments increase blood flow to the jaw bones and in theory makes surgery or extractions heal better? I have BCBS and they will probably cover the treatments. I have no dental insurance and in the big picture I'll find a way just like everyone else here does.I'm sure it will be a royal PITA as the treatments are several hours long and it will be like going for RADS again. I'm willing to take my chances without them. I never considered that it could foster new cancer? The problem is that, yes it's my choice but if I go against my dentist's recommendation he could refuse to treat me down the road and I really like the guy. Not every dentist wants the liability of a head and neck cancer patient. We must choose our battles.

    The new normal really sucks as an extraction was a simple thing in the past. I'm lucky to have such frivolous crap to complain about! The lady in group said you could literally explode in these chambers if a spark were to be created. That would make it much more exciting, wow I can't wait. I'll know more on Friday.
  • fisrpotpe
    fisrpotpe Member Posts: 1,349 Member
    #10
    ratface said:

    it's for oxygen
    From conversations in group from a lady who has had many of them, Hyperbaric treatments increase blood flow to the jaw bones and in theory makes surgery or extractions heal better? I have BCBS and they will probably cover the treatments. I have no dental insurance and in the big picture I'll find a way just like everyone else here does.I'm sure it will be a royal PITA as the treatments are several hours long and it will be like going for RADS again. I'm willing to take my chances without them. I never considered that it could foster new cancer? The problem is that, yes it's my choice but if I go against my dentist's recommendation he could refuse to treat me down the road and I really like the guy. Not every dentist wants the liability of a head and neck cancer patient. We must choose our battles.

    The new normal really sucks as an extraction was a simple thing in the past. I'm lucky to have such frivolous crap to complain about! The lady in group said you could literally explode in these chambers if a spark were to be created. That would make it much more exciting, wow I can't wait. I'll know more on Friday.

    I did it
    almost three years ago I was told I have radio-necrosis on the pharynx. The treatment included IV antibiotic treatments for 9 weeks, about half way thru the treatments they added HBO treatments. I did not want to do them but was told there would be a high risk of loosing my voice box if I did not do the HBO treatments. I took the risk and did the treatments. 40 treatment each takes 2 hours. So to add the risk i talked about in previous post. 12 years 6 months post treatment I had not had any recurrence at all. I wonder why 4 months after HBO treatments did the cancer show it's ugly head on my tongue.
    I am doing well now, raspy voice with on dead vocal cord. They cut the spot off my tongue so I have a divot on the side of my tongue. Good luck with your choice. It truly is a tough one to make.

    John

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