I have been 4+ years surviving and my teeth are breaking down. I have always had poor teeth. I did have my teeth examined by my dentist prior to radiation and he did not recommend removal of any of them.

To tell you the truth, I'm not really sure what "real teeth" I still have since so many are capped with artificial teeth. I have a lower bridge and partial that was in place prior to radiation.

Lately, I have been having alot of caps fall off and teeth crumble. After the visit to my dentist, he suggested upper dentures since I might end up wearing them in 10 years time anyway no matter how much $$ we stick in my mouth.

Needless to say I am a little anxious about the idea of dentures. I am in the process of consulting with my former radiation oncologist.

Please, can anyone offer me their opinion on this kind of thing? My dentist doesn't seem to think their is an issue here, but I'm just not sure.

Are you worried about the comfort and function of upper dentures? If you have a good fit they should cause you very few problems. Are Implants perhaps a possibility? They are expensive but well worth it in my opinion. I've had lower implants for 6 yrs and am so thankful. Amy

La Panadera, an upper denture, properly made and fitted, is better than bad teeth. I have experienced both. My upper denture is held in just by suction. I have an unexplainable aversion to the denture pastes, but if I am going to be doing a lot of chewing, as in steak, I use one of the wafer things that go between the denture and the roof of your mouth. Works like a charm. I spent more money than I want to think about on my teeth and by the time I needed rad, didn't have one that had not had some or a lot of work done. I have lower implants and the combination of that and the upper denture gives me the best teeth I have had in 20 years. I think you will be happy if you make the decision to get an upper denture.

Thank you JAM and Joanna for your thoughts.

I am worried that my lack of saliva will somehow keep the upper denture from fitting right. I know implants are expensive (4K/tooth) and am not sure I can afford that right now.

LaPanadera, you do not need saliva if you use the wafer things, the name of which I cannot remember at the moment. Cut with a few snips to fit, wet under the faucet, and press on. You are then good to go until you pry it off at a later time. Okay, I have the box in front of me now. Sea-Bond "All day hold, utimate fit and comfort, total confidence, no ooze or mess like pastes."
http://www.sea-bond.com

I, too, was hesitant to lose my last remaining, falling apart and dead from radiation teeth, but it worked out so well. I was being emotional instead of logical, but it was time to cut my losses, so to speak, forget about all the money spent in the past, and just take the plunge. The faux teeth look and work much better. And I never, ever have to have another root canal!

Thank you again Joanna.

Thank you again Joanna.

Hey again, I totally agree with what Joanna has said. I was shocked at the cost you were given for implants. Granted, I had this done about 7 years ago, but the surgeon removed all uppers and lowers[including 2 impacted wisdom teeth] and implanted the rods for the lowers, then my dentist had the upper denture and the teeth for the rods made. I'd have to go look for sure, but I don't think the whole deal cost more that $15,ooo. Not cheap, but I decided I was gonna have these until I was 85 or so[I was 58 at the time] so justified it that way. When I had it done, there were not tons of people doing this, but now there are lots. I'd shop around for some competitive prices. Do you have to have any reconstructive bone work done? Amy

Amy, that is great -- I told the dentists to do a really good job because I was going to have them until I was 87. Great minds, huh?

LaPanadera, Amy makes a very good point. If you consider implants, shop around for sure. A friend in SoCal shopped 8 or 10 different providers before she found one she liked, who gave her names of his patients to talk to, and who would do it for a price she considered fair.

LaPanadera,

Just a reminder that while you're shopping around, be certain to consider only those dentists who have real experience dealing with post-radiation patients. (Not all of them do, and it's risky to put your teeth and gums in the hands of someone who doesn't.)

Cathy