Hi, I went to get reevaluated today with another oral surgeon prior to having two more teeth extracted before Tx begins. The oral surgeons were awesome, made me feel very comfortable and were thourough with their exam as well as explaining and answering any questions I had.

Im having two molars on my right lower jaw removed this Friday...oh joy....This really sucks. The surgeon was surprised at how immaculate my teeth were...really sad to lose them. I just hope all of this will be that extra insurance I need to keep the cancer away.

Anyhow, I went and turned in my pre-op paperwork and had to speak with an anethesiologist afterwards. I can tell you if he shows up in the op room on Friday, Ill be rescheduling my surgery. He lacked personality....no biggie a lot of doctors do lol. But, he goes on to say how worst case scenerio I could die or next to worse wake up with a trach since I cant open my mouth very far since my surgery in Oct. BTW the ent said they would have NO PROBLEM whatsoever opening my mouth for me when I was out lol. He was really lucky I didn't go off on him. I had to shrug my shoulders and laugh my way out the door. Im having teeth pulled, I had MUCH more extensive surgery last month...the only thing that really scares me about this surgery is retramatizing my jaw and the pain. This guy really bugged me tho...like I said...if he shows up in there on Friday, Ill refuse to have him do my anesthesia or Ill reschedule.

Laura,

Unfortunately, I think the kind of warning you got from the anesthesiologist is typical of what the lawyers are telling them to say to cover themselves. Before my surgery, I had to read lots of verbiage about all the possible nasty side effects (including death), but my actual experience with surgery was pretty benign, all things considered. Hope it all goes smoothly for you.

Cathy

My ex-wife is a nurse and she says that if you don't like what they are doing or how they do it, let them know it in clear terms -- Arrogant or insensitive Docs don't get told about it by their staffs or colleagues, so the only ones to tell them are the customers, er, patients (and the lawyers in extreme cases).

Pete

I agree with Cathy that the reason they tell you the worst case scenarios is because they have to. Though I think it's too bad when the anesthesiologist him or herself does it--I got all that written out during preop visits to the hsopital.

Nelie

I kind of doubt that it was to protect his backside Im going to a military hospital, this guy was just an ass. None of the other doctors Ive seen have been like him. There are other anesthesiologists (Ive seen a few there and none were like him), this is why I refuse him in my O.R. There was no reason for him to add to fear that I already have. I completely trust my ENT and what he said, that there will be absolutely no problem with them opening my jaw for me. He even laughed when he said this, since I can currently open my mouth to 10mm. He Is the surgeon who removed some of the muscle in my jaw so I do believe he knows what he is talking about. Matter of fact of all the doctors Ive seen NONE have ever mentioned death or trach. Obviously, everyone knows there is some risk for sedation, even for pulling two teeth lol. However, the anesthesiologist was morbid, rude,insulting and without personality. Im really hoping the jokester doc I had put me under for my salivary gland removal is the one that will be taking care of me on Friday. People with tact and a good side bed manner DO help some with how you feel about your care and outcome.

Back to my original question. If your teeth are in such good shape, why are they pulling them? Have they given you a sound reason other than they will be in the field of radiation? They don't usualy pull good teeth anymore.

I'd call hospital NOW and tell them you do NOT want that guy as your anesthesiologist and request the one you like.

Good luck on Friday and take care,
Eileen

My teeth are in great shape. They are pulling my two lower molars that will be in the field of radiation to help prevent osteoncrosis? (sp?). They said the lower jaw bone has a poor blood supply to begin with and after radiation blood supply to that area would be worse and could cause those teeth to rot. So, if I were to need a root canal or have them pulled it could cause some major problems to the jaw itself. Is this not typical treatment anymore? I have to wonder since I am going to a military hospital. Should I be getting another opinion on this? They will be doing IRMT to my right lower retro molar trigone area (where my tumor was).

As you can see I recently had IMRT and NO ONE suggested removal of any teeth. I saw my dentist post Dx, pre Tx and he did change some filling work that was old and made a mold for my daily fluoride treatments which began pre Tx and continue now. Other than that he said I was good to go. I have seen him twice since and he says everything looks and he emphasized to keep my mouth as moist as possible until normal salva production returns.

I would get another opinion before my teeth were yanked.

Laura, The only teeth I had pulled were ones that were in the field of radiation AND were likely to eventually need to come out anyway (which were two in front where the gum had severely receeded due to periodontal disease). The other teeth I had that were in good shape they left alone. My tumor was on my tongue, though, so maybe you are getting more rad to your teeth than I did to mine.

Nelie

Laura,

I had general field radiation, as my treatment was long before IMRT was around. The treated area ranged from up above my earlobes to just below my collarbone, and I didn't have any teeth pulled. Seventeen years later, I still have all my own teeth. I agree with those who think it's a good idea to get a second opinion about this.

Cathy