Becky:

Its very unsettling to be advised to do anything drastic like removing teeth. It is something that can be a necessity at times for this awful disease.

I only had 2 teeth pulled before tx, the rest were considered good enough to make it thru rad. I now suffer from very limited mouth opening and need alot of dental work done. At this point, cant do anything til my mouth can open wider than the size of a straw. Ive searched from doctor/specialist to doctor/specialist in all fields for help. There is nothing that can be done for me except continued physical therapy and HBO. Im not much older than you so I do understand how terrible this can be.

A second opinion is a good idea, but please consider what I have written. If your teeth are considered questionable, then think about this carefully. I suffer every day and can barely eat. If I could have seen the future, I would have told them take all my teeth while they could get in there.

Best of luck to you.



Christine
SCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44
2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07
-65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr
Clear PET 1/08
4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I
surg 4/16/08 clr marg
215 HBO dives
3/09 teeth out, trismus
7/2/09 recur, Stg IV
8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy
3wks medicly inducd coma
2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit
PICC line IV antibx 8 mo
10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg
OC 3x in 3 years
very happy to be alive smile