I'm no expert but from my own questioning about this, I'm fairly sure the bone does not recover at all, at least not without HBO. At first I was under the impression that over many years, it would heal soemwhat and ORN would be less of a risk but my oral surgeon who has a good amount of experience with this said no, the risk never gets to be less. Bone that has been radiated is permanently damaged. (And then I imagine that as we age, it could get worse as bones get more brittle with age anyway). I don't know about after HBO--does it stay permanently better?

I also don't know about soft tissue healing. I know that I have read here of patients who were sent for HBO to heal soft tissue damage from radiation because they were told it wouldn't heal otherwise. But then so many people here have stories of regaining function and having less swelling, etc. up to a couple of years out from treatment that it seems soft tissue must heal on its own sometimes.

I do know that if my throat does not appear to be much more healed the next time my ENT scopes me, and especially if I'm still having major swallowing problems after a few months of swallowing exercises, I'm going to ask about HBO treatment. If my insurance covers it, I want to try it.

Mark, Thanks for that info. about novocaine shots. I was wondering about that.

Tizz, the impression my oral surgeon gave me ws that sites that are not directly in the field of radiation are not as risky for ORN. He said he woudl want to see the exact raidiation plan before making a decision about any kind of oral surgery and whether I needed HBO.

Nelie