Hi, Had a front tooth break. Old root canal failed
-has an absess. Orthodontist doesn't want to try another root canal. Will be talking extraction. However, had mouth radiated in 1990. What about healing, anybody know?

Cath, I wish I could help you but I can't. I never had RAD but going through a hell of a time trying to get bone grafts, to get implants to be teeth. I do know that implants usually are hard if someone has had RAD. I'm sure you could always get a bridge of some sort. Sorry, I wasn't much help, but take care. Anne.

Cath, I was just reading about a similar situation. First, was the radiation to that part of your mouth? If so, all is not lost. Patients needing invasive dental work can be treated with hyperbaric oxygen prior to and following the procedure. This guards against the dreaded osteoradionecrosis quite well. I do not have it immediately at hand, but I recently read a long article about this and will email it to you when I find it agin. Hang in there!
Joanna

Before you go the extraction route, get a firm OK from a radiation oncologist. The dentist may not be up to speed on the consequences of his recommendation. This situation isn't a matter of routine for most of them. The guy that radiated you will know how many rads you had, and what the potential for problems is. Ask lots of questions, of enough INFORMED doctors, to be sure where you are going and what the consequences are. With osteoradionecrosis, there is no going back easily.

I had an old root canal fail (over 30 years old)and they discovered a slab fracture in the root in which an infection had formed. It actually formed a fistula and was draining through the gum (sounds awful but really wasn't) They had to remove the tooth. Maybe you are a good candidate for a bridge if the two teeth on either side are healthy.