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.

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.

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

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

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------.