I wish our American health insurance would cover full implants for survivors....that'd be rad..

Sadly, from what I am currently experiencing, oral surgeons are not keen to place implants in mouths that have been irradiated. I thought the same (and was griping about the potential expense) but they now prefer to extract if the tooth is infected and NOT replace unless it is in the form of a bridge (which impacts the healthy remaining teeth). Root canals are still used to preserve teeth, however I have had a 4 yr old root canal fail which now requires extraction.

I’m a 10 year survivor. You would think by now some brilliant professional would have developed a way to identify bone that will survive implants, and which will not. Instead, those who treat you in the acute phase don’t worry if your teeth survive or if you will be able to chew properly. Their sole focus is eradicating the cancer and keeping you alive. It’s a crucial job and we are all definitely thankful for their efforts on our behalf. This is about what comes AFTER. Research (which should be done by prothedontosists I believe) seems to be lacking and there should be more concern about the level of long term effects and care as survivors are getting younger and younger. It should not be a situation that is written off as, “You survived - you are lucky.”. Often there is a lot more involved (as you all know). So we accept, we adjust our expectations, we endure and we survive. Some of us are no longer lucky enough to have teeth, or tongues, or hard or soft palates, or mandibles in which to set implants or wear dentures on top of…therefore not even having the luxury of experiencing food in a ‘normal’ way. I am heavily reminded of this every time I come to this forum for information and advice. I have nothing but awe and admiration for those who have travelled a deeper path and overcome what to me seems insurmountable.

Apologies for the rant. I just feel that our ongoing care should be equal to the technical discoveries that are occurring at the acute levels of treatment.

Heather