I am going to tack on here to see if I can get some information...do ALL oral radiation cause the need for HBO or does it vary person to person? Does the number of treatments make a difference?

I had a wisdom tooth removed in June, and had a lump on the side of my jaw all this time - through surgery and radiation. About 2 weeks out of radiation it finally got soft and quit hurting. (I had pointed this out to ALL the Dr.'s each time I visited!) Now that radiation is healing my mouth is "thawing" for the lack of a better term. I can open a little further each day, get back beside the teeth a little further each day, etc.

My ear had been hurting so I went to the Dr. on Monday. She noted I was swollen but felt OK and I go to ENT next week. She checked ear, it was clear. On Wed. I felt a sore back by where the wisdom tooth was removed (at the next tooth) and the next day I could see another spot on the gumline. I went to my dentist and I have an abscessed tooth. :o( I am on antibiotics and he suggested pulling it but said he wanted me to see/talk to my ENT surgeon before doing anything. So, Wed. I guess I go see the dentist at the cancer center.

My question is, does radiation automatically mean EVERYONE needs the HBO or is it a case by case situation? I really don't want to deal with a root canal and crown...I can't chew on the radiation side anyway they suggested so not having the one tooth won't really matter...but the 30 HBO treatments are going to be tricky!

Any ideas?

Michele in IL