Patients Cancer
Head and Neck: post-treatment dental issues
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robjmckinney
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robjmckinney
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Last activity on 20/12/2024 at 23:48
Joined in 2015
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Since my treatment in 2014 developing issues from the radiotherapy include major dental issues. When I had a tooth removed I was left with exposed jaw bone and gum not repairing. Due to Osteoradionecrosis it seems it will never heal leaving me two choices, anti-biotics for my life time. Or a not so successful op grinding my jaw down and cutting a gum flap to cover the bone. Either way I have been told not to have any further teeth removed in my life time.
I have several new areas of severe toothache so clearly receding gums are a serious issue. My dentist claims deep root canal treatment and hygienist work is not covered by the NHS. Leaving me with potential bills in many thousands of pounds as this is not covered by the NHS. I am making an appeal to the consultant dentist at the hospital for some consideration as this is directly linked to treatment.
My dentist is busy covering her behind claiming she had advised me but she did not. We did discussed a weakened jaw bone that could be broken removing teeth but not about non healing of the gum.
So be aware if you have had head and neck radiotherapy you can't have teeth removed for life. Apparently it is similar to 80 plus old people having their teeth removed as their gums don't recover. Leaving them to die a rather horrible death by infection from the exposed jaw bone, the consultant said it was quite common.