Tammy,

As said above, removing all the teeth before radiation is old school. The bottom line is, did you need all your teeth out before your cancer or is this being done because of the radiation? Although rare, there are people that come to me that do really need all there teeth out. However, I have a feeling that even though you have had problems with your teeth all your life, you were not planning on dentures and if you knew that they could be kept, you would. Am I correct?

Barry and Gary are only two OCF members that have kept their teeth through and after radiation. There are many, many more. But you ahve to realize that it will take a mjor commitment on your part to maintain your teeth which will require regular fluoride applications, extra visits to the dentist and meticulous home care. You may not be willing to do this so you have to be honest with yourself.

It can be done. As Mike said, there are many factors that go into a decision if teeth can be kept. I wouldn't take this decision lightly as once you have them out, you can't go back and you may wish you could. Also, the effects on the tissues in your mouth from radiation may delay your ability to get dentures made much longer than if you had all your teeth out and no radiation.

I hope that this has been helpful.

Jerry