 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Hi Connie! I am very familiar with HBO, ORN and the Marx Protocol. Any time a tooth needs to be pulled after having radiation for head and neck cancer, the dentist should be using 20 HBO prior to the removal and minimum of 10 after. If you are running into professionals who do not follow this then it should tell you they are not the right person to treat your husband. If I were you, I would be looking for a prosthodontist. That type of dentist is usually most familiar with oral cancer patients special needs.
It is a good possibility that there is damage to your husbands jawbone. Several members including myself have been thru a mandibulectomy. It also could be possible to not be able to get dental implants or dentures to replace teeth that have been removed. Ive lost all my teeth due to radiation damage. At this time, I am without teeth for over 2 years with no date planned to get dentures or implants. With the damage that has been done to my mouth, I am not a candidate for either. Of course, this is the worst case scenario. Most patients are able to get dentures or a bridge to replace what they lose.
Any other questions, please let me know. I will be happy to help you.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | 
