Hi everyone! I am looking for info on what to look for as far as any dental issues (like I'm worried of ever loosing any of my teeth) I'm almost 2 years post TX & my 2 front teeth are a little transparent on the very bottom. One tooth is chipped a tiny bit (from opening a Bobby Pin) 2 teeth on the left have a brown area around the gum line. The R side of my tongue has a white patch (acid type foods cause irritation) I have not been to the dentist post TX for stupid reasons: I am so embarrassed for anyone to see inside my mouth, no dental coverage, I'm affraid of what treatment is in store for my issues. I thought of going to a place like "Q Dental" but I don't want to have new people look at my mouth every time I go. I spend $ on stupid things all the time, I know a dental check up is needed!

All of the things that you describe about what is wrong with your teeth are more than likely not related to your radiation.

1. The transparency is related to wearing of the biting edge of the teeth that unfortunately occurs in many people as we age. Bonding can replace the missing tooth structure and make the teeth stronger. However, bonding is not forever and just like the teeth can wear, so can the bonding.

2. The chipped tooth can be fixed with bonding also. Bobby pins, bottle caps etc. can be pretty destructive.

3. The brown areas are probably decay, but could be simply staining or possibly tarter, or exposed cementum, the outer root surface showing - if this is at the gum line.

4. The white patch, of course, is a concern and you really need to get this checked out yesterday.

Dentists are used to seeing the problems you have on a daily basis and you should have no concerns about being embarrassed and I would stay away from "Q Dental" whatever that is. It sounds like one of those clinics...no, no, no. Try to find a dentist that treats post oral cancer patients.

Wow Jerry, Thank you! I will take your advice & it is an honor to have you come to my aid! "Q Dental" is a clinic. If you say "NO, then "no" it is ! I knew in my gut that was a bad idea and should go to a qualified dentist. Thanks again! Dianne

For clarification purposes, most of the dental clinics have dentists that are biding their time until they can find a private office to buy, find a location to start their own practice, etc.. That doesn't mean that they are not good dentists, it just means that you probably would not have the same one for any continuity of treatment.

Hi Jerry, When I was @ the "Spring Fling Tasting" to night, as luck would have it, a woman was there I met before & she mentioned her dentist has several "post cancer" patients & is very familiar with all the dental issues that can occur post TX. So, I am going to give him a call tomorrow. Also, the white patch on the side of my tongue (same side as my tumor was) has already had a biopsy (came back neg) & my rad. dr. calls the patch an "ulcer" I keep an eye on the size of it. Thanks again for your advice!

Jerry is the Dentist I would put my trust in. He is part of our family and has or is going thru what we all are. Jerry has 1st hand knowledge of our problems and good advice when we need it. And one more thing, he sure knows how to make me smile. Thanks Jerry.

Dianne...glad you were lucky to stumble upon that dentist. I would surely question him about this"ulcer". An ulcer should not hang around for a long time.

Coming from someone with a great sense of humor like you, Jim, I am flattered by your compliments

Hi Jerry the Dentist......

DO you know much about Osteoradionecrosis? Any info you can share would be greatly appreciated. I posted my story on "After Treatment Issues" in case you want a little history. Thanks again.

Jerry,
Do you know of any dentists experienced with post oral cancer patients that practice near Eastern Virginia Medical School? Or do you know how I can find some? I don't have much confidence in my regular dentist. He has been in practice for over 30 years, but I am his first, and one and only, oral cancer patient.

I would be very comfortable visiting an oral medicine specialist who see cancer patients routinely. Or as an option seeing someone from the dental oncology department at a comprehensive cancer center, they all have several. If you chose option one you can locate the closest AAOM member at this link

http://www.aaom.com/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=68

I have concerns about my new Dentist. I'm his first Oral Cancer patient. Both of my bottom molars were pulled 40 years ago when I was pregnant. Just before being diagnosed with cancer one bottom tooth next to where the Molar is (was located) was pulled it was an infected crown. My Dentist wants me to have an implant. I told him no way is anything going in my mouth that doesn't belong there after what I've been through. He pressures me every time I see him. He told me this will happen to your teeth and that will happen to your teeth if you don't have this done. I'm 64 years I'm not some youngin.

What runs through my head is if he starts messing with my mouth, puts an implant in and cancer is laying dormant it might trigger it.

I've nicely said no and no and no what else can I say to him to make him stop talking about an implant? He's my families Dentist they all like him and I do too until he started with the implant.

Last week I told him I'm going for my checkup at Moffitt in August I'll ask my Dr. just to get him off my back. One more thing he said to me is money an issue is that why you don't want this, no money isn't an issue, I'm not comfortable having this done. It set me back when he asked is money an issue no Dr or Dentist ever asked me that question.

Any advice?

Thank you.

Connie

You might ask your doctors at Moffit if there is any comparable damage to the blood vessels of the jaw from your surgery as there is for radiation. Brian gave two links to the OCF web site on dental complications from TX, and I recommend that you read those(one page back on this thread) If you had radiation, then the threat of ORN would be enough to dissuade your dentist but for me at least the glossectomy and neck dissection surgery did impact my jaw and teeth very much according to my prothodontist.
charm

There would be no reason that an implant would be a causative factor in having a cancer develop. As to the constant "selling" by the dentist; you just have to be clear. Tell him without ambiguity that you do not want the implant done, that he has broached the subject with you enough times now, and what part of "not interested" does he not get? If he doesn't get the "tone of the conversation, find another dentist - there are more than 60,000 general dentists in the US. Many dentists in the US are hurting financially right now. This economy has caused many people to put off things (like getting a filing or cleaning done) so they can make other more dire ends meet. Like donations to charities ( which we have noticed) dentistry many times is considered an elective need. (I have to pay the rent, I can live without that restoration for another 6 months.) That he is pushing a bit means that he is in the same boat as the rest of us. But enough is enough.

Cancer does not lay dormant. It has a biological imperative to replicate and spread at many times the rate of normal cells.

Hey Connie, Thought I would let you know about my experience with dental implants. About 4 years ago at age 54 my dentist I had gone to my whole life told me I would not "die with my teeth". A lot of periodontal problems. Caps on just about every tooth as well as root canals. Both parents had the same issues. Also I was a smoker. I was advised to have implants or I would end up with dentures. Also I was told it would be easier to do it then than at 70 or so. It took two years to complete the full mouth restoration b/c I needed bone grafts. It was very expensive but I will never have another abscessed tooth or root canal ! Then last March I was diagnosed with cancer and the first thing I thought of was, Oh No ! My teeth. I called the Implant Dentist I used and he assured me that I was probably in better shape with my implants than if I had natural teeth. I completed my 39 IMRT treatments with no problems. I was so afraid I would lose my teeth after going through those two years of having implants, bone grafts etc not to mention the expense. I am not sorry I did what I did but it sounds as though your situation is no where as extensive as mine was. It has to be an individual decision .