Hi,
I have a question about periodontal work on gums after radiation. My husband had radiation, I believe XRT on both sides for base of tongune cancer. He was checked out by the Dentist associated with the ENT Team before treatment (this was October of 2004). Everything looked good and nothing needed to be done before treatment. We went to a new dentist (he does regular dentistry but his speciality is prosthodonists (sp). One of my husband's caps was loose this past week and when he went in for his cleaning today the dentist flipped the cap off with his finger. Under the cap was a little decay, which the dentist took care of, but the dentist showed both of us that the tooth had very little tooth left and should not have had a cap put on without other work to the tooth. He has had the cap for at least prior to 03. The dentist said that the gum was high around the tooth and the best way to have the cap hold is to have a periodonist trim some of the gum tissue around the tooth. The other alternative would be to have pins put in the tooth to try and hold the cap on. The tooth did not have a root canal performed. I told him that I wasn't sure if he could have surgery on his gums because of the radiation. He said to ask his radiologist and chemotheraphy doctors. He cleaned the cap and cemented it on for now but doesn't think the cap will hold. I asked how much gum would have to be cut and I think he said a couple of mm.

My husband doesn't go to see the ENT, radiation and chemo doctors until March 6th.

Has anyone had periodontial surgery on their gums after radiation?

Thanks
Teresa