 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | I'll try to adress all of your questions.
You don't mention if you are using fluoride. This is important of the future health of your teeeth.
You also didn't mention if your dentist thought that the tooth fracturing had anything to do with your radiation. Many teeth break in people that have never had radiation. I sometimes see 2 or 3 people a day that have this happen. It just may be coincidental.
It is not unusal for a dentist to prescribe antibiotics before, during and after endodontic treatment. Again it has nothing to do with why the treatment is needed. The endodontist's recommendation that you would need HBO treatment if the tooth needs extraction is right on the money. This is to prevent you from having a healing problem after the extraction. The problem is called osteoradionecrosis (ORN)and you can search this site for more information on it.
There are many people here that have kept all their teeth during and after treatment. Diligent homecare, fluoride applications and frequent visits to your dentist will help you keep them. The fact that your teeth were healthy before treatmetn, gives you a good chance of keeping them if you follow all the rules.
Jerry
Jerry
Retired Dentist, 59 years old at diagnosis. SCC of the left lateral border of the tongue (Stage I). Partial glossectomy and 30 nodes removed, 4/6/05. Nodes all clear. No chemo no radiation 18 year survivor.
"Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger"
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