| | Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 4 Member | | Member
Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 4 | I have now been in remission for five years after having had cancer of the tongue. My back teeth were removed prior to radiation, and I have been advised to now remove all the remaining bottom teeth and have them replaced with dentures.
Can anyone offer any advice or comments? My intention is to let the gum heal without any temporary dentures, so I anticipate having no bottom teeth for two/three months.
The gums where the intial teeth were removed have receded altogether. | | | | | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | I would get a consult with a dental oncologist to see if removing the rest of your teeth is safe to do without HBO. You don't want to risk osteoradionecrosis.
Gary Allsebrook
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Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2
Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy)
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"You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
| | | | | Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 | Why do they want to remove your remaining bottom teeth? Are they diseased? Since it was 5 years ago that they removed the rear teeth, do you have a partial that you wear now?
I had all 16 of my rear teeth removed prior to radiation, fool that I was. My maxillofacial prosthodontist made me upper and lower partials which snap onto caps on my eye teeth about a year and a half after radiation ended.
Make certain that the prosthodontist you are seeing is used to working with cancer patients. Like Gary said, you will probably have to do HBO treatments if you are going to have teeth removed.
Take care,
Eileen
----------------------
Aug 1997 unknown primary, Stage III
mets to 1 lymph node in neck; rt ND, 36 XRT rad
Aug 2001 tiny tumor on larynx, Stage I total laryngectomy; left ND
June 5, 2010 dx early stage breast cancer
June 9, 2011 SCC 1.5 cm hypo pharynx, 70% P-16 positive, no mets, Stage I
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 4 Member | | Member
Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 4 | Hi Eileen
Thanks for the feedback. The bottom teeth have become decayed and that is the reason that removal has been considered. I have been advised (off-list) to get the opinion of a dental orncologist before going ahead, so now intend to delay the procedure until I have more information available.
All the best
Valerie
Female 56 Cape Town, South Africa. Cancer of the tongue in 2004, moving to neck. 8 surgeries 33 radiations 2/3rds of tongue removed, No flap. Speech impediment and swallowing difficulties No peg Clear 2010
As I grow to understand life less and less, I learn to love it more and more. Jules Renard.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | I wish I was allowed to get some dentures, at least for cosmetic reasons. They took all of mine and I will never be allowed to have them replaced becuase of too many problems in my mouth. But one day I just might risk it and get a set made to wear in public. LOL I feel like my mouth is a puckered up A------.
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
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