So, I’m posting this in hope of getting information.I’m waiting on radiotherapy for salivary gland cancer but need my dental clearance first. Wasn’t too worried by this to start but after reading on-line I’m starting to panic.My teeth while I have quite a few fillings are okay and been that way for years, regular check ups and generally fine. But I’ve read that teeth are removed if they have large fillings, I do indeed have quite a few large fillings. So what I’m hoping to get insight on is, are all teeth with fillings removed, this will be worse to me then when I lost my heir with Chemo. My radiotherapy will be on one side of my neck which leads to my next question, will all my teeth be affected, both sides top and bottom. Think I could cope if it’s just the lower side teeth removed on one side. But oh my, if it’s all my filled teeth, nope nope nope. Also what happens after do you get help with false teeth, or do you spend the rest of your life toothless. I know you can’t have implants because the bone won’t be good enough. What are the options, I think I will struggle with this more then the radiotherapy.
Good evening Moi Me, i only had a couple of teeth removed for radiotherapy as they were in the way of the targeted area, like the rest of the people on here i had fillings and it made no difference. This is why we tend to advise people not to take to much notice of what is written online as it just makes matters worse. Sometimes you can have implants but it all depends on the outcome of the radiotherapy and where it is actually targeted. Wishing you all the best.
Chris x
As for dentures he was told he could get those 3 months after finishing treatment by an nhs dentist or private. Hospital doesn’t supply dentures.
Are you sure? Three months after CRT his mouth will still be healing. In England and Wales we are entitled to free restorative care such as dentures needed because of extractions before treatment.
What's more absolutely no invasive treatment should be carried out except at a dental hospital specialising in care after radiotherapy
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
Hi Moi me , my hubby had mandibular so the side were they reconstructed the jaw left side he has no teeth top and bottom. The right side he had gaps were teeth had fallen out so oral department at the hospital sorted dentures to fill the gaps on that side so he has complete bite on that side. Hes nearly 2 years past surgery and rt and has adjusted to eating with what hes got. Wishing you all the best x
So, just a quick update to help anyone who is in the same place I was last week, worrying about what was to come. Had dentist today, bit of a mixed bag, need to have 4 teeth out, which I was gutted about especially seeing as 3 of them are perfectly healthy with no fillings and good roots. They are my wisdom teeth and the point they made was after radiotherapy your muscles are damaged and you can’t open your mouth as wide, resulting in the dentist being unable to treat right at the back. Also made the point that these very back teeth will become prone to decay as again cleaning becomes more awkward. On a positive note my cracked tooth that I was worried about is remaining and they will put a porcelain veneer (I think) on top to even out the pressure exerted on the tooth when eating to keep it healthy, again here the tooth is healthy and the root good,, but this will be done in 6 months time. Dentist was absolutely brilliant and explained everything in great detail with reasoning behind the decisions. While disappointed I’m losing good teeth, it could have been a lot worse and let’s face many people have their wisdom teeth out anyway.
They are my wisdom teeth and the point they made was after radiotherapy your muscles are damaged and you can’t open your mouth as wide,
Well that’s strange. I have three of mine and have always been able to open my mouth the regulation three fingers, during and after RT
I wonder what his opinion is on the number of people who actually do develop significant trismus.
I’m afraid I would be fighting for those teeth. How can they leave a cracked one and take out healthy ones?
many people have their wisdom teeth out anyway.
Only if they are impacted
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
Hi like Dani I’ve still the 3 wisdom teeth that I had prior to treatment I had 35 radiotherapy sessions and chemo and I’m 7 years post treatment never ever had an issue with opening my mouth. In fact I was at dentists yesterday and a new dentist remarked how well my teeth and gums were. The day after my diagnosis I was sent tomLeeds dental hospital,as that’s where Leeds cancer patients go I had the 3d X-ray and that confirmed my teeth were all in gd condition. Sadly yiu aren’t the first person who has had all wisdom teeth removed. I like Dani says woukd try to fight to keep them. Are you at a cancer centre ? Or a general hospital? Of course only if you want to say.
I had my first dentist visit after treatment around 3 months and had no issues in opening my mouth for them to check I go every 3 mjnths use duraphat toothpaste and bioxtra mouthwash along with a fluoride varnish to protect my teeth . It s so unfair that there’s different protocols
hugs Hazel
Hazel aka RadioactiveRaz
My blog is www.radioactiveraz.wordpress.com HPV 16+ tonsil cancer Now 6 years post treatment. 35 radiotherapy 2 chemo T2N2NM.Happily getting on with living always happy to help
2 videos I’ve been involved with raising awareness of HNC and HPV cancers
Asked the question again yesterday at hospital max and oral about dentures after treatment. Earliest 3 months after treatment for dentures and the hospital don’t do dentures he has to go to own dentist. Hospital dentist has written to his dentist saying this. Maybe it’s where we live.
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