Teeth falling out after radiotherapy - any experience with implants and costs?

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Hi all, I'm almost 4 years post treatment and my teeth are literally falling apart due to radiotherapy. Tbh they weren't great to start with as I had to have 6 removed before treatment. Anyway I really just want them removed and get dentures/ implants. Does anyone have experience with this? And does anyone know if my consultant can refer me for this? I can't get an NHS dentist and I can't afford private. Thanks

  •  Ask your CNS to refer you back to the nearest NHS dental hospital for treatment and advice...may be free of charge?

    Michael

  • I’ll second Micky’s advice but do ring round dental hospitals to see where the waiting list is shortest. I’ve been waiting since January in Shropshire so I gave up and had a crown done privately. 
    Implants into an irradiated jaw are probably not possible 

    Dani 

    Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019

    I BLOGGED MY TREATMENT 

    Macmillan Support Line -  0808 808 00 00 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

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  • Good evening Topbuzz, When i had reconstruction of my lower jaw, my consultant said that he would put implants in so i could have a lower set of dentures, although mine were just for cosmetic reasons. I had to wait for 18 months to allow my newly reconstructed jawbone to heal up.  You should still be under the care of your consultant, who should be able to get your further treatment because of your treatment. Mine was done in 2012, so not sure if this is still the case. Fingers crossed you can get a set of detures/implants, take care.

                                                                             Chris .

    Its sometimes not easy but its worth it ! 

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  • Getting implants is an expensive business and not suitable for where your jaw has had radiotherapy. Best to get advice from your Dental Hospital if you are on their books. If not get advice from a private dentist. Might be worth the cost of one consultation with a private dentist to get an idea what t do next. I was referred to my Dental Hospital through my consultant but I am in Australia so might be different in the U.K. I have got 4 implants in my cheek bones that a denture attaches to but it was a lengthy business and I had to get special approval for this from Medicare which is equivalent to NHS otherwise the cost would have been prohibitive. However my situation is different to yours. 

    Lyn

    Sophie66