| Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 117 Likes: 1 Senior Member (100+ posts) | OP Senior Member (100+ posts) Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 117 Likes: 1 | With having a tooth crowned, are there any special issues for post radiation patients?
Last edited by Andrew111; 06-15-2017 12:06 PM.
Squamous cell carcinoma base of tongue. Lymph involvement unclear; staging placed at "2 or 3." Biopsy 4/18/2008. Treatment: IMRT every day for 7 weeks. Cisplaten once a week to sensitize cancer to radiation. Treatment ended 7/16/08. PET/CT shows no more cancer.
| | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Nope! Only problems when having extractions or deep gum work done. ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive | | | | Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 117 Likes: 1 Senior Member (100+ posts) | OP Senior Member (100+ posts) Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 117 Likes: 1 | Thanks, Christine, for this and all the other times you helped me.
Squamous cell carcinoma base of tongue. Lymph involvement unclear; staging placed at "2 or 3." Biopsy 4/18/2008. Treatment: IMRT every day for 7 weeks. Cisplaten once a week to sensitize cancer to radiation. Treatment ended 7/16/08. PET/CT shows no more cancer.
| | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | You're welcome, Andrew! Thats what Im here for. ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive | | | | Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 89 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | Supporting Member (50+ posts) Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 89 | Hi Andrew, I've had a couple of crowns and even had a root canal 2 months ago.
No problems or special concerns.
While its not fun, after what you've probably been through with cancer, its no biggie.
As a general precaution I always like to let any new medical team know my oral cancer and radiation history and that I've been cautioned to never have teeth extracted!
History of leukoplakia <2001-2004. SCC lateral tongue 9/03; left radical neck dissection & hemiglosectomy 10/03, T2-3,N0M0; 28 IMRT radiation completed 12/03. 30 HBO dives Oct-Nov 04 for infections and bone necrosis -mandible.
| | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,357 Likes: 5 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,357 Likes: 5 | I have seven remaining teeth. All bottom front. All of them have had a root canal and all of them have been crowned. My dentist openly worries about his ability to maintain even one of them for another day, but so far, so good and I will take it. There is nothing like 62 radiation treatments to knock the stuffing out of your teeth! Hang in there.
Donna,69, SCC L Tongue T2N1MO Stg IV 4/04 w/partial gloss;32 radtx; T2N2M0 Stg IV; R tongue-2nd partial gloss w/graft 10/07; 30 radtx/2 cispl 2/08. 3rd Oral Cancer surgery 1/22 - Stage 1. 2022 surgery eliminated swallowing and bottom left jaw. Now a “Tubie for Life”.no food envy - Thank God! Surviving isn't easy!!!! .Proudly Canadian - YES, UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE IS WONDERFUL! (Not perfect but definitely WONDERFUL)
| | | | Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 117 Likes: 1 Senior Member (100+ posts) | OP Senior Member (100+ posts) Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 117 Likes: 1 | I'm beginning to wonder about my dentist. I don't expect him to be an oral cancer expert, but I do wish he would take what I tell him more seriously. Or at least be able to have a conversation with me. I tried refresh his memory on why my jaw is at risk, and explained that the blood supply is reduced in the jaw bone, which means the body can't mount a normal immune response there. His replay was "No, I saw blood come out of your gum when I was working. Well, I never said there was no blood in the gum. I also told him that my followups with doctors are primarily to check for delayed problems caused by radiation. He said "No, I'm sure they are checking for other things."
And it's not just cancer-related. He told me that if the floss gets stuck to just pull it out the side. I started to explain that the floss I use won't allow that, and he jumped in and started explaining to me that there is only one kind of floss. Except this time I was not speechless, and I told him I use Glide floss which is attached to a wishbone holder. At which point he offered me a sample of regular floss, which is where I was going in the first place.
I don't know what his deal is, but conversation with him seems to be him wanting to find a reason to disagree with me, for reasons I don't understand. He didn't use to be like this, or maybe there was just nothing that came up to disagree on.
Squamous cell carcinoma base of tongue. Lymph involvement unclear; staging placed at "2 or 3." Biopsy 4/18/2008. Treatment: IMRT every day for 7 weeks. Cisplaten once a week to sensitize cancer to radiation. Treatment ended 7/16/08. PET/CT shows no more cancer.
| | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Sounds to me like its time for a new dentist, someone who is more knowledgeable and less argumentative. Its scary thinking how some dentists are so uninformed!!! That kind of dentist could do serious harm to their patients (like OC survivors) who require extra care. Its a darn shame your dentist isnt more open to hearing about new products. Dental floss has had other options for years. Nobody knows everything but as a professional they need be more proactive with their continuing education. Your dentist might want to also be more open minded, that is if they plan on keeping their patients for long term. ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive | | | | Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 117 Likes: 1 Senior Member (100+ posts) | OP Senior Member (100+ posts) Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 117 Likes: 1 | [quote=ChristineB] Dental floss has had other options for years.[/quote] I forgot to mention that he's the one who first told me about Glide, years before this. He even gave me a sample. So he knows this exists, but he launched into argumentation mode anyway.
Squamous cell carcinoma base of tongue. Lymph involvement unclear; staging placed at "2 or 3." Biopsy 4/18/2008. Treatment: IMRT every day for 7 weeks. Cisplaten once a week to sensitize cancer to radiation. Treatment ended 7/16/08. PET/CT shows no more cancer.
| | | | Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 1,275 Likes: 7 Assistant Admin Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | Assistant Admin Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 1,275 Likes: 7 | Is there a dental oncology department at your original treatment facility? If so, can you make an appointment there to have your teeth checked by one of the dentists there? They are likely seeing cancer patients every day.
Gloria She stood in the storm, and when the wind did not blow her way, she adjusted her sails... Elizabeth Edwards
Wife to John,dx 10/2012, BOT, HPV+, T3N2MO, RAD 70 gy,Cisplatinx2 , PEG in Dec 6, 2012, dx dvt in both legs after second chemo session, Apr 03/13 NED, July 2013 met to lungs, Phase 1 immunotherapy trial Jan 18/14 to July/14. Taxol/carboplatin July/14. Esophagus re-opened Oct 14. PEG out April 8, 2015. Phase 2 trial of Selinexor April to July 2015. At peace Jan 15, 2016. | | | | Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 117 Likes: 1 Senior Member (100+ posts) | OP Senior Member (100+ posts) Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 117 Likes: 1 | One more thing. Shortly after the crown was put on and I started feeling pain in the area around the root of that tooth.. It persisted. And it was scary, because having an infection there is very risky
My periodontist told me to swab the area with Peridex (Chlorhexidine Gluconate). I did that for a few weeks and it worked. But after I stopped the pain came back. So I started swabbing again, but for many weeks. When I stopped the pain never came back, I wish I could tell you how many weeks, but I didn't keep track. .
Squamous cell carcinoma base of tongue. Lymph involvement unclear; staging placed at "2 or 3." Biopsy 4/18/2008. Treatment: IMRT every day for 7 weeks. Cisplaten once a week to sensitize cancer to radiation. Treatment ended 7/16/08. PET/CT shows no more cancer.
| | | | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,912 Likes: 52 OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,912 Likes: 52 | It is not uncommon for the gingiva around a new crown to be sore for a period of time. The soft tissue can be damaged during the tooth preparation by the burr in the handpiece, and the tissue is packed with a thick cord to push and hold it away from the tooth, so that the margin where the crown and tooth ultimately meet is fully exposed for the impression making. The lab tech will need to see that margin in detail on the model of it made from the impression to fabricate a crown that will fit perfectly and intimately to the prepared tooth. It can take a week or more for that periodontal gingiva to tighten up around the neck of the tooth again. Even when the new crown is seated, the process of cementing it in place, then scraping any extra dried cement from that soft tissue sulcus around the tooth can irritate it again.
Keeping it clean is important even though brushing it can be irritating, and further prolong the discomfort. The Peridex is a useful tool to keeping bacteria at bay in this area till the healing is completed. Sounds like it all resolved.
Brian, stage 4 oral cancer survivor. OCF Founder and Director. The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant. | | |
Forums23 Topics18,168 Posts196,925 Members13,103 | Most Online458 Jan 16th, 2020 | | | |