Seth

It shrunk. That's the prognosis from the Radiotherapy Oncologist and Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon. They tell me "Radiotherapy is the necessary evil".

I've had nearly all my lower (mandible) jaw rebuilt and reconstructed with bone from my hip, because of Osteoradionecrosis (ORN - radiotherapy damage). The radiotherapy killed the blood flow in the bone, and therefore the bone was dead and had to be replaced. Besides losing my healthy teeth from the removed mandible jaw, the lower part of my face, gums and chin are compromised, all due to radiotherapy.

I know my issues are extreme, but ongoing dental issues are not unusal for head and neck cancer patients who have had radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy.

Karen