Hi,
Has anyone ever gotten braces after having radiation treatment? I am curious about what the experience was like- even if it was a year or more after treatment was completed.
Thanks.

You're the first I have heard of in my nearly 5 years here.

Hi,

I had adult braces before my cancer occurred. Even though they could not explain why I got cancer on my tongue, the only very remote possibility they said was a repetative cut I kept getting from one of the rubber band hooks on the inside of the molar, right next to where the tumor was on my tongue.

As soon as the cancer came around, they told me to stop wearing my retainer since my mouth would change during surgery/radiation and it would not fit anymore. 4 years out from cancer and my teeth have shifted back to the way they were before cancer but not as severely misalligned. I am content to live the rest of my life with crooked teeth at this point.

Jim

My teeth have moved around quite a bit since radiation because I had to have my two bottom front teeth pulled before rad started and my mouth was so sore and irritated after, the dentist didn't try to do anything to build a bridge there for quite a while. As a result, my lower teeth have moved and my upper front teeth have moved as well--they used to be nice and straight and now one has tilted in and is partially behind another.

I would love to think I could find someone who could give me braces for this to fix it without it being dangerous or damaging in some way. So if anyone has had braces, I'd like to know!

Nelie

Banker & Nelie,

Although it is not possible to treat every case with "invisble" braces, many can be. Invisalign is the brand name for this technique and there are many dentists doing it. You can check this link to look for one near you http://www.invisalign.com/generalapp/us/en/index.jsp

Jim,

Although there are many that don't believe that chronic irritation can cause cellular changes leading to squamous cell carcinoma, I am one that does. Although I don't have and cannot find any scientific proof for this, I still believe it. Certainly it won't occur in every case.

Jerry

I just want to comment on Invisiline. I am currently about 9 months into my invisiline braces. I didn't have radiation - so that wasn't an issue for me - but want to let those of you know this if you are considering it.

Invisiline braces do cause irritation of the tongue when you first get them. My tongue was very sore and raw from rubbing on the sharp plastic for a long time - the plastic trays fit tightly down over the front and back of the teeth. You can file the edges down with a nail file- but it doesn't really help all that much. You will probably still be very sore.

In saying that: I just want to warn people who are thinking of it - that if your tongue is still the slightest bit sensitive still after radiation - or if b/c of the radiation - it might not heal well if it gets cut - I wouldn't get them.

On a positive note: They do increase my salivary output. I had salivary glands removed for my surgery and am left with very dry mouth - the braces increase the saliva so that the dry mouth is a little less than without them in.....

Thats just my personal experience - and thought I'd share for those of you considering them.

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

I was considering braces and saw the oral surgeon right before I was diagnosed with tongue cancer.

Right before cancer, the dentist suggested them not only because of aesethics but because it would be easier to clean and floss my teeth. I was also biting the inside of my tongue all the time because of misalignment.

So now after radiation, I only think about it because I would be able to do a more thorough job flossing which is important in my overall health of my delicate tissues inside my mouth. The straighter teeth is just a side bonus in my case.

Anyway, I don't know yet what me and the dentists/doctors will decide. I still have more research to do. I may wait another couple years because my tongue is still very sensitive and I do have dry mouth.

Thanks.

My dentist is recommending braces for me.. I'm 10 years out, surgery, chemo, and 30 rads sessions. Want to be sure it's safe post-rads. Any dentists out there w/ an opinion? Or anyone who's had braces post-rads?

Thanks.

Richard Boucher
Jacksonville, OR

Is there a dental reason that you need braces? Severe underbite, prognathic relationship between your teeth? It seems odd that a person who has had your teeth the way they are for as long as you have, is being recommended to get braces. Certainly makes money for the dentist, but what is the need? Radiation may have impacted the bones ability to heal back in behind moving teeth, and that would concern me.

Brian, yes, there's a medical reason, it's not cosmetic. And your point about bone healing is just my concern. My ortho guy has put braces on people who've had rads in the past so he thinks we're ok providing we start slow and stay slow. He's doing journal research, very helpful guy, but hasn't found any info pro/con to advise him on throat cancer rads patients. I'm trying to fill in the blanks.

thx

Richard