Dave,

The HBO treatments take time and are costly. They often recommend 20 treatments before oral surgery, and an additional 10 afterwards at a minimum. I had RT in 2006 and they determined that my jaw bone has already deteriorated, and I was having some problems, so my doctors recommended that I undergo HBO treatments. I completed 45 treatments just recently. The cost was covered by my medical insurance, not dental.

These are daily treatments, typically Mon-Fri, so you would need a minimum of 4 weeks before any type of oral surgery. If possible, find an oral surgeon who has treated OC patients who have had radiation. I�m from the east coast, so I don�t have a recommendation for you, but there are a number of OCF members you are from CA so they may be able to give you a reference.

Good luck � and don�t take no for an answer.