John, here is a site that has more information. http://www.emedicine.com/ent/topic579.htm You don't want to take any chances with ORN. A while back, I had read that even Novocain shots can be enough injury to cause ORN to the already compromised bone. It is not the Novocain itself but the vaso-constricting drugs commonly mixed with the Novocain that stops the already slowed bloodflow.

All here, whom have had radiation to the jaw, need to be very careful about even minor injury to the jaw.

Mark, 21 Year survivor, SCC right tonsil, 3 nodes positive, one with extra-capsular spread. I never asked what stage (would have scared me anyway) Right side tonsillectomy, radical neck dissection right side, maximum radiation to both sides, no chemo, no PEG, age 40 when diagnosed.