Today I went to the Dentist to let him look at a place that hasn't healed properly (where he had pulled a couple of teeth previously) and he said the bone in that area needs to be shaved as it is growing for some reason and wants to do it now. I couldn't get anymore from him other than he wanted to talk to my RO about it but I don't think I should be having dental work done while I am in treatment. So far I have had 15 radiation treatments and 3 chemo treatments. Has anyone had anything like that when they had teeth pulled? The bone basically appears to look like another tooth coming in above where the other tooth was located but it's a bone.

Thanks, Angel

You need to let your team of docs decide but I would agree with you that now would not be the best time to do anything inside your mouth. You have a full plate now and for weeks to come. Does your dentist really understand what the radiation is going to do to your OC? Maybe I'm missing something but shaving your bone does not sound pain free or something that heals in days. Hopefully Jerry or Mike will comment.

David, I have so much on my plate right now with the many Dr. appts and chemo and daily rads that I don't think I could handle another problem just now. Day before yesterday I woke up and my neck is broken out with blisters and it seems they are spreading around to the front and sides of my neck. I don't have an appetite and I am trying to force myself to keep a few bites of food down and the Ensure (Ensure was provided for me from the patience assistance progran). I am battling trush. I drink a lot of water though. My hair is starting to come out in the back where I guess the radiation has caused but not to noticable, just at the base of the neck. And really overall, I feel I am actually doing good considering. lol

Thanksa for your comment. Angel

Angel,
I went into radiation with several biopsy sites on the gum over the bone that were not completely healed. Consequently I wound up with little bone spurs protruding through the gum towards the end of my radiation. The dental surgeon scraped these off so the gum could heal. Don't know if yours is the same situation but it sounds like it might be.

Take care,
Eileen

Angel,
Not any kind of expert but wouldn't let anyone touch my
teeth while in radiation and only on an emergency afterward.
proceed very carefully and ask many questions.
I still have dental problems-and am so stubborn about it.
Good Luck!
Debbie

Eileen, I previously had the bone fragments to come through also, but this problem actually looks like a tooth trying to protrude through the side of my gum area but the Dentist (Oral Surgeon) says it's a bone and must be shaved down. Did yours heal pretty good? Thanks, Angel

Debbie, I totally agree. When they don't even want you to get a shot while you are going through treatments why would anyone do any dental work? I've been real happy with my DR. but I am unsure on this one. Thanks, Angel

Debbie,

Sorry that you are now going through additional problems. I really don't have any dental advice to offer in this situation, but I'm sure that your oral surgeon will clear any plans that he has with the RO.

Please keep us posted.

jerry

Angel,
I had no teeth in that area so was definitely bone spurs. The open area from the biospies did not heal until several months after radiation. The oral surgeon was removing these minor protuberences every two weeks during and for several months after radiation. Part of the healing problem is I have a very small mouth so tongue was rubbing up against these biopsied areaa and keeping them open.

I assusme they xrayed this so they know if it tooth or jawbone. So yes healing was a definite problem and they were very seriously thinking of hyperbaric oxygen when it finally magically healed some 4 or 5 months later.

Take care,
Eileen

Eileen, I sure do hope that I don't end up in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber either. I am having a hard time with the rad's treatment and being confined as I am clotrophobic and have panic attacks when confined so I take Xanax to help me while I am going through treatments and it sure has helped.

My Dentist has xrayed it several times so I am sure he knows what he is talking about a lot more than I do. I am glad yours healed for you. Thanks, Angel

Most HBO chambers are non confining, take a book, sit up, and they are clear and you can see out. The only chamber that I was ever in that was confining, was a decompression chamber after a deep dive incident on normal air SCUBA while instructing.

Brian, That takes a load off my mind. Because when the Dentist mentioned the work, he mentioned the Hyperbaric chamber also. Thanks, Angel

Angel

Here is a thread about the hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBO)

http://oralcancersupport.org/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=82227&page=1

Ive done 50 dives. Where I go you arent allowed to take a book or anything in the tank with you. You can sleep or they have TVs and a big variety of movies you could watch. HBO does wonders for you, if you do research on it you will be amazed at the things it helps.

[quote=ChristineB]Where I go you arent allowed to take a book or anything in the tank with you.[/quote]

That's because they don't want anything flammable to continue combustion and produce smoke if fire should break out -- O2 is very flammable.

Oxygen dives and hyperbaric dives are two different animals. As to the flammability... you are wearing cotton clothes, (or something). I too have seen some with electrical devices in them. What does O2 and electricity make? Obviously there are varying standards of how this is done. Best listen to the others, while I've talked to lots of people that have done it, I've never been there myself.

To be precise, oxygen itself does not burn. It is however needed for combustion. (no oxygen = no flame)
In a monoplace HBO chamber you are under pressure in a 100% oxygen atmosphere; anything that could readily burn is a no no. Anything that could create a spark would have a catastrophic effect. This is why there are the antistatic procedures (wrist strap; and cotton as opposed to synthetics ). Paper is readily oxidized (see the yellowing books in a library), so it would burn easily and "could" also generate static electricity (sparks). They also do not want you to use perfume nail polish and oily substances.... If you have ever seen what happens when you use a greased valve on an oxygen tank you understand why. (It burns like ...hell). This is why O2 tanks have special valves. I am not entirely sure why you need to remove jewelry, gold is very inert. On the other hand jewelry may be composed of many metals and some may act as a catalyst plus there are also watches etc to consider that may be electronic and create sparks.

The above applies for a monoplace chamber where you are surrounded by pressurized 100% oxygen. The situation is different when you are in a multiplace chamber. These are not 100% oxygen and you wear a mask/hood to get 100% oxygen. In such an chamber the requirements should be are lot less stringent.

Hope that makes things a tad clearer.

M

Thank you all for the information and the links. I had no idea there were so many types of HBO. And the one that just goes over your head only was great. Angel