Hello

Hi again. After more testing and consultations hubby has finally got dates for his radiotherapy (6 weeks starting 25th April) and chemo (one dose on day 1 of weel 1 and one on day 1 of week 3). He is still undergoing treatment at the dental clinic as they decided to remove teeth as he had lots of fillings and crowns. He was told 5 would need to go, but he has now had all molars and some premolars out and he thought that was it, but he has now been told that they recommend his remaining premolars go too, He is distraught as he has always done everything he could to save his teeth. He is considering telling them to leave all that are left, but obviously there is then the chance of osteonecrosis further down the line which the consultant says would be for life. He has the weekend to consider it. Any insight from any off you lovely lot that have been through this? 

Hi jinty 

I was lucky enough to keep all my teeth all of which are heavily restored. I did lose one wisdom tooth after RT which was pulled in hospital but healing was uneventful. So in that respect I can’t help much. I’ll tag a friend whose  husband did have extensive extractions and had had a lot of trouble getting dentures done after treatment. 
Perhaps she can throw some light on the matter 

Drivermason

PS. For myself I would ask for a second opinion. I’m not suggesting you do just that it is an option. The top notch chap in this field is Vinod Patel at Guys. 

HimJinty I too was lucky   I  didn’t need any extraction but I agree with Dani I would ask for a second opinion.I was more distraught at the thought if f loosing my teeth than the treatment to be honest , I know it’s difficult to have implants for the same reason once we’ve had radiotherapy.A second opinion is within your rights ,I would have asked for  one if I was in same position. Osteonecrosis is a possibility  ask what the percentages are then  make a decision .Some trusts seem to have a n attitude of pulling teeth at will.

Sorry I’ve not been much help just know from the last3  .5 years on here it’s nigh in impossible to get any work done on our teeth with the n h s afterwards.

Hazel 

He's already had most of them out now, so think its too late for the 2nd opinion. Just need to make the decision re the final 2 over the weekend. They have said that part of his plan is to have plates made for him after his treatment. I wish we had thought of 2nd opinion before letting any go, but it is all happening so quickly. He got the call on Monday telling him to be at dental hospital at 9am Tuesday. No time to actually stop and think! 

Hi Jinty. Thanks for the tag Beesuit and RadioactiveRaz

So my hubby, Ken, had all his molars and pre molars removed, bar one. The one that was left then caused huge issues as it was on its own and would cut into his cheek. He then had that one removed just by his usual NHS dentist a year after finishing treatment. It caused no problems having a tooth extraction on his radiated jaw. I really don’t know what to advise you…..the NHS trust we’re in seems to have a policy of doing huge extractions and I’m not sure it was really necessary. When they did this they assured us Ken would be able to have NHS restorative work done. Turns out that was a big fat lie. The trust doesn’t have a restorative dentist and most trusts don’t now. Apparently this is because it is more financially worthwhile for dentists to work privately as opposed to for the NHS! We did have some false teeth made privately at a cost of about £4k however Ken struggles o wear these as they cause ulcers in his mouth even though they are well fitting. We have since realised that we both didn’t get the best care from our dentist and have actually found a private practice about 20 miles from us and they are amazing and have their own max fax consultant too.

So basically…..now I’m waffling. You need to do what’s right for you……if it was me, and with hindsight, I wouldn’t have the additional 2 removed. I would take my chances.

Good luck with it all and do please keep in touch xx

By coincidence, and not related to my cancer. I had a tooth pulled by Vinod Patel at Guys last year. Very nice man.