Hi everyone,

My husband was diagnosed with BOT cancer seven years ago. He has been cancer-free but two years ago he had an infection in the jaw/gum area where the radiation was done, and it caused a sore in the gum that did not heal. He has had two dentists monitoring his treatment as well as the Tampa Bay Moffitt Cancer Center ENT surgeon/oncologist. The primary dentist thought it would heal on its own and the only treatment given was to remove some of the dead bone tissue that was easily accessible.

Recently, he was referred to an oral surgeon who recommended surgery for osteoradionecrosis based on CAT scan results. He told him he would go through approximately 20 HBO dives first. The oral surgeon said there would be the possibility of losing 2 or more teeth on one side. At an appointment yesterday, the dentist told him that under the worst case scenario, no tooth replacement of any kind including a partial could result. My husband did not need to have any teeth removed during his original O.C. treatment and has all his teeth.

Has anyone else encountered this situation? Is it unusual to not be able to have some kind of tooth replacement? Under what circumstances would this scenario occur and what are the alternatives?

Thanks very much,

Connie (and Jerry)