Mick,

As hard as it is for me to say this...I agree with Cheryl (wow, less painful then I thought it would be!! ) find a new dentist.

Facts of the matter are that our teeth after treatment need good care and even then they will break down at a rate faster then "normal". Not only do they breakdown due to the radiation but the xerostomia (dry mouth) usually experienced by Oral Cancer patients. Due to facial paralysis one side of my mouth droops and never closes, furthering the dry mouth and making my teeth deteriorate even faster. I've come to grips that I'll have to have them all pulled and have implants as dentures are out of the question on my lower due to the mandiblectomy.

Where it's a pain in my ass, it's not the end of the world to me. I've learned to live on mostly a liquid and soft food diet, even gain significant muscle mass. I know life is much more then a set of pearly whites. When I'm finally able to have the rest of my teeth extracted and implants put in then great, but I won't allow the little details take away from the fact that I'm alive and can make the most out of each day.

Keep your chin up Mick, it's a journey my friend.

Eric