Hi, I haven't posted in awhile. My husband is two years out of treatment and doing well. However, he needs two crowns and a possible root canal. Are there any issues or concerns we need to be aware of with these procedures since he has had radiation/chemo, albeit two years ago? Thanks!

Sherry, I have had several root canals and crowns put in since I was diagnosed. They would prefer to pull any problematic teeth before tx, but with my severe dry mouth i will always be facing dental problems. Cathy G. who had XRT has had only one problem tooth in 17 yrs. I face the risk of osteoradnecrosis (Boy did I butcher that word) but you have to take care of your teeth. My crowns and temporary fillings do fall out so you have to be careful with bready foods.I had rad/chemo and I haven't had problems with all the work I've had post tx.I do the flouride trays see my dentist 6 times ayr for the last 5 yrs. and I can't stop the decay but only slow it down.Well have to go now and smile while I still have enough teeth.

Hi Sherry,

There should be no reason why Ken can't have root canal therapy and crowns done. Neither of these procedures are surgical and therefore would not cause problems.

If you ahve any technical questions about crowns or root canals, don't hesitate to ask.

Jerry

Sherry,

I've had crown work done since radiation, as well as a gum graft (but I've still never experienced a root canal and am not anxious to have one). Everything so far has been fairly routine and without complications.

Cathy

Hi Cathy & Sherry,

Root canals are almost always uneventful. The problem is that the only people that talk about root canals, are the few that have a problem. When was the last time someone came up to you and saud, "I just had a root canal and it was great"? Whenever this comes up with a patient I ask them if they ever mention that they drove their car today and DIDN'T have an accident. I'll bet if they DID have one, they would tell everyone. No one ever talks about uneventful things...it's human nature.

Exceptions to the rule are when a person waits too long to get one done and they go to the dentist in extreme pain from a very inflamed tooth. Then it's not uncommon for there to be some problems during treatment and afterwards. It sometimes is very difficult to numb an inflamed pulp. Also, some teeth have accessory canals that cannot be seen or gotten to and left over tissue in these canals can cause a lasting infection.

So Sherry, since it's not a definite root canal, I assume there is no pain now and the odds are more in your favor that the treatment will be painless.

Jerry

Jerry just to get the patient's perspective since I've had my share of root canals. The worst part is the Patient's anxiety level(we are lead to believe thier is nothing worse than a root canal) I can tell you that it is not bad at all from a pain perspective it is just more time consuming and my only complaint was trying to keep my mouth open(Trismus).

I have had two root canals and 7 crowns since surgery and radiation......I think the anxiety level for me was the issue and of course, like Mark says in above post, trying to keep my mouth open wide enough and long enough, but my dental staff lets me take breaks, etc....in fact, my new dentist is my oral surgeon's dentist and he has been great! Carol

I agree that the anxiety level is a big problem. How many times do you hear a statement that I'd rather do blank, blank than have a root canal? Endodontics gets a bad rap due to the poor publicity.

Unfortunately the process is very time consuming. We use mechanical instruments which cut down the time considerably.

Thanks for sharing some good stories.

Jerry