Hello.
3 years ago had proton radiation treatment for the base of tong cancer. It ruined my teeth. I’m looking for the dentist or oral surgeon with experience to insert dental implants in irradiated jawline. San Jose, California. Thank you.

Welcome to OCF. Im sorry to hear about your dental problems. Ive been thru this as well. Implants after rads can very tricky. You will definitely need an extremely skilled dental professional who has an in-depth understanding of the special needs for someone who has had rads. If implants arent done correctly they can cause far bigger issues.

At OCF, we are a group of oral cancer (OC) patients/survivors and caregivers. We help oral cancer patients and caregivers with info and moral support. Our organization is not a referral site for any medical/dental professionals. Its not possible for our small nonprofit to track hundreds of thousands of professionals across the US and to know which are the best and most experienced in treating OC patients/survivors. What one patient thinks is excellent care, another similar patient may have an opposite opinion of. Thats not even touching on locations or where their practices are located and what they offer, or more important--- if they are as skilled as they claim to be, plus continuously keeping all that info current. OCF cant to put our reputation on the line by promoting one dental professional over another when it isnt possible to know who is the best and who isnt.

Our site has members from all over the world. Finding a member in a specific area who is active on our site is not easy to do. On top of that, that member needs to have similar dental issues as you. Even with a similar patient, everyone is still an individual and will react to things in their own unique way. I think you should ask your doctors at the facility where you were treated. Ask about a dental oncologist or a prosthodontist. You might also check with your insurance company. If these sources arent able to help then you may need to go thru one of the dental referral sites where they match patients with professionals. Im sorry but I do not have experience with these referral organizations, I wouldnt know if they thoroughly vet the doctors/dental professionals they send people to.

Best wishes with your search!

Christine has given you good advise, Cox!

I feel your pain I’ve been through a number of head and neck cancer treatments, and after my first radiation in 2010, IMRT, it destroyed my teeth (I had protons too in 2013 btw), but due to recurring cancer, treatments, plus ORN, osteoradionecrosis of the jaw, and others, the next 7 years or so I’ve been unable to have my teeth replaced. I’m still waiting maybe til June?

I’m not sure if any teeth have to be removed, but that can be an issue too being previously radiated, and needing HBOT like I did. You should involve your doctors, especially your radiation oncologist who has your radiation plan and knows the areas radiated and dosage.

Good luck