We saw the oncologist today and he said the spot of concern is smaller than the dentist had lead him to believe. He also said that it is NOT infected - that is good news. He referred us to an oral surgeon - one Michael saw once a couple years ago (not the one who did the extraction in April with no follow -up care) and to the wound care center affiliated with the oncologist's hospital and not where he went for the hyperbaric treatment.. We will see what they have to say. He indicated that they might still recommend more hyperbarics, but there are some other oral treatments to promote healing. I found out today that Michael had thought he had cancer again and did not really know what osteonecrosis was - that was part of the reason he was so upset. So we have more appointments coming up. I would like immediate answers and a cure, but we are going to see some other people soon and hopefully will have a definite plan soon. Michael's oncologist also had another oncologist look at it too and he agreed that it was not that large a spot and it does appear it has maybe already healed some more since the dentist saw him on Tuesday since it is smaller than what the dentist told him.
Thanks for all the help.

Barbara, I have a question. Im sorry if somehow I missed this. So many people have looked at the spot but what about having a biopsy done on it? How long has the spot been there? Im glad to hear it has gotten a little smaller, thats a good sign.

no one has suggested a biopsy. I gather it is where the extraction was and the bone is showing so they are assuming it is just not healing very fast, but it is healing faster since the infection has cleared up. Our oncologist is very cautious so I think he would have suggested a biopsy if he had any question. He did say very directly it wasn't cancer since I gather that was what my husband was thinking too.

Awesome - no cancer despite the circumstance is good news!

BArbara,
Did your husband have any issue with the root canal or just the extraction? I am asking because I may need a root canal. I had crown placed last week, and that area is still in a lot of pain, and the surrounding tissues have become swollen, red, and painful. Thanks

Angelia,

The tooth that had the root canel and the extraction are next to each other, so it is a bit hard to tell for sure which is the problem, but I belive it is the one that was extracted and is not healing. My husband's oncologist had recommended hyperbaric treatments when they thought he was going to have two root canals and no extraction - they later decided to extract the one tooth. Are you on antiobiotics? Good luch with the root canal.

I was on antibiotics for a week prior to the crown procedure and continued them for another week.