Does anyone know if we can have Lasar Whitening done by a cosmetic dentist once we have had radiation treatment?
I need some advice from the "true experts".

I have left 8 messages on this board. Some have been comments and some questions. None of my questions have ever been answered.
What am I doing wrong that no one ever answers me?

Dianne,
So sorry yours posts have not been answered. I do not have a clue if whitening is ok after radiation or not. The crest white strips work really good though, and that is not so much trouble. A friend of mine had hers whitened at the dentist and she said it was very uncomfortable. If you have lack of saliva like my husband after radiation, it might be hard to sit there with that stuff in your mouth that long.
Julie

Dianne, I'm sorry none of your messages have been answered. I try to answer as many as I can, but if I have no clue, I keep my mouth shut. As far as teeth whitening I would go to a dentist to get information on whitening. I have read where they do not recommend the Crest strips as they can strip the enamel from your teeth. Plus make sure you explain that you have had RAD if that is the case. Right now I'm just fighting bone grafts to see if I can get implants to replace those teeth taken during my surgery. If you want to vent you can always contact me at [email protected]. I try to always answer everyone. But between my job as a consultant, keeping up on the board and answering personal replies, sometimes it takes awhile. Take care. Anne.

Dianne.....Sorry you feel like your posts have been neglected but I can almost assure it is not intentional at all. I don't know a thing about tooth whitening so I can't join in that discussion, but if you wanna know about a mouth minus saliva BINGO! you've found the right person! LOL Don't get discouraged from posting because your input is very important, and you never know when some new member signing up will be able to answer you tooth whitening question. You've gotta remember a lot of us don't even have teeth to get white! LOL Keep posting! Sincerely, Donna

Tooth bleaching/whitening will not have an immediate impact on your mouth from a negative perspective. It is the soft tissues that are at risk from procedures after radiation, and the boney structures under them, not the teeth themselves. Normal fillings, root canals, etc. are not impacted by previous radiation treatments and offer no complications. But remember that if you are short on saliva, you will also be experiencing long term decalcification of your teeth after radiation. Many whiting techniques etch the surface of your teeth further removing calcium deposits. This of course makes them prone to decay. Hence all the constant use of fluoride forever after radiation. In the long run this probably isn't a great idea. Of course a dentist who is interested in selling you the procedure may not be up to speed on the issues related to your treatments. I would speak with a dental oncologist who routinely encounters these issues. They are affiliated with every major cancer institution that handles oral cancer patients. These comments of mine are based on what I know of two different issues, xerostomia and whitening individually, and I am make deductions from those two different perspectives. I do not know of anyone that has had this done, and I cannot quote any published articles, though I searched for some.

Many thanks to everyone who answered my message.
I had RAD 10 years ago and I am fortunate to have inherited very strong teeth so my problems are minimal. I do suffer with dry mouth and my dentist these past 10 years has been a radiation dentist. He has told me that if I have these opaque, dull gray teeth capped it will be very hard for him to treat decay at the gum line. The floride gel has always burned my tongue making the mouth trays not an option. I do put the gel on a toothbrush every bedtime and then whipe any excess from my tongue with a warm washcloth. All of my problems post surgery and RAD have come from the RAD, with the exception of ONE!!! My 4th surgery, partial right neck removal and skin graft removal from floor of mouth (resulting in paralyzed lower lip) was done in ERROR! Misdiagnosed biopsy slides and second opinion surgeon just went ahead and operated on my word of mouth diagnosis without asking for the biopsy slides to be read at his hospital. I know, very dumb on my part to go along with this second opinion surgeon's rush, but after 8 yrs post I thought I was cured and my brain just couldn't function. Oh well, trial is set for this Nov. and maybe I can stop him from giving another person this nightmare! Then I'm off to the Medical Ethetics Board..my ultimate goal.
Thanks again guys...you all mean alot to me.
Dianne

The whitening agents take off the debris form the ruptures by actually oxidizes them. Mostly hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide are used to whiten the teeth. Whitening agents oxidizes the organic matter stuck in the ruptures and clean the ruptures. These ruptures then left as such or filled with the suitable material if required. Teeth whitening are in demand and preferred process in the cosmetic amenities. There are many products and procedures available to brighten the teeth. The process, cost and time are so varied that it leaves a person in the ocean of information. If you choose to go for the process you have to choose the product/procedure suitable for you.