[quote]a smoldering infection[/quote]Humm.. I looked that one up and could not find it, must be quite rare.

So during that four years he was going to a general dentist for cleaning and checks? If so, it is surely possible something subtle might be overlooked or below any threshold to mention or take action on a non-radiated HNC survivor.

Reinforces finding a dentist who really does have experience treating radiated HNC patients as our mouths don't behave or act the same as the general public. I'm not implying that is what happened here but one does wonder.