Hello everyone.
I'm sort of new here. The forum was very helpful and supportive to me when I had my treatment for head and neck cancer in 2013. I'm back now because I have a dental problem and I'm hoping that I may be able to connect with people who have had the same experience.
No dental problems at all in 12 years and then I woke up last week with toothache, swollen gums and face. Dentist says it's a bad abscess that can only be treated by extracting two teeth. I remind him I had 7 weeks of Radiotherapy to the same area of the jaw and I'm concerned about the possibility of getting ORN (Osteoradionecrosis) after extractions. He tells me it'll be fine, and that the risk of developing ORN will have gone after 12 years. He'll book me in for next week and it's nothing to worry about.
Fortunately I remembered the parting words of my Oncologist when I was signed off. "Never ever let a Dentist take your teeth out." So I have politely but firmly stood my ground. I've seen another Dentist and my GP, and finally an urgent referral has been sent to a Maxillofacial Surgeon at the Hospital. I'm now waiting for my appointment. Have to admit to being very apprehensive.
He tells me it'll be fine, and that the risk of developing ORN will have gone after 12 years. He'll book me in for next week and it's nothing to worry about.
Hi Margaret853
He is so TOTALLY wrong. ORN is due to the fibrosis of the vessels supplying the bone making blood supply to bone poor. Fibrosis is progressive, though you are fairly safe up to one year after treatment end, and ORN is a lifetime risk.
Try not to worry. Maxfac should make a good job of the extraction and fill you full of antibiotics and likely vit E and pentoxifylline to aid healing.
Thank heavens you remembered your instructions
Its a pity your dentist doesn’t understand the aetiology of ORN.
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
regarding infections and tooth removals must be treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy prior and post any oral surgery.
I think the jury is out on this one and HBO2 is not that common in the U.K.
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
Good luck. Let us know how you get on.
Apart from the abscess 12 years is really encouraging to newbies here. How are you generally?
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
