Hello Cancer Good Bye Teeth ?

Darn I had typed up a neat intro history and swoosh its gone.

So anywho I have my final diagnosis this week  T1-N1-stage 3 scca of one tonsil as I work thru the steps of what's next I was told by the ENT that I need to have ALL my teeth pulled (why was that more shocking than "you have cancer"?). I went down to oral surgery and spoke with them and while they tend to agree full removal is the best option I could get by with maybe only losing 6.

I would like to discuss the cons of keeping my teeth, I'm 50 and while they're healthy let's face it they're not going to be around forever.

I understand about the weaken immune system which makes problems difficult.

The possibility of necrosis although I couldn't really be told how often that really occurs.

I also read about what's involved in having a tooth removed later if it is an issue (2 weeks of hyperbaric chamber sessions, wonder what dental plan would cover thet extraction) just trying to make a somewhat educated decision before next Thur when I've scheduled time to deal with this issue.

Thanks so much for your time, remember what Red Green says "Hang in there we're all in this together"

On 8/6/2008 SatniteSpecl wrote:

Darn I had typed up a neat intro history and swoosh its gone.

So anywho I have my final diagnosis this week  T1-N1-stage 3 scca of one tonsil as I work thru the steps of what's next I was told by the ENT that I need to have ALL my teeth pulled (why was that more shocking than "you have cancer"?). I went down to oral surgery and spoke with them and while they tend to agree full removal is the best option I could get by with maybe only losing 6.

I would like to discuss the cons of keeping my teeth, I'm 50 and while they're healthy let's face it they're not going to be around forever.

I understand about the weaken immune system which makes problems difficult.

The possibility of necrosis although I couldn't really be told how often that really occurs.

I also read about what's involved in having a tooth removed later if it is an issue (2 weeks of hyperbaric chamber sessions, wonder what dental plan would cover thet extraction) just trying to make a somewhat educated decision before next Thur when I've scheduled time to deal with this issue.

Thanks so much for your time, remember what Red Green says "Hang in there we're all in this together"

Hi

I know what you mean about the double whammy - who would think that after being diagnosed w/ cancer we would get upset over something like having teeth removed.  I had cancer of the left tonsil and I only had 6 teeth removed.  I had to have a root canal and a couple of cavities filled along with the extractions.  No one (I went to two dentists, as well as an oral surgeon and the specialist for the root canal) suggested I have all of my teeth removed.  I had someone else mention it so maybe it is an older treatment approach - personally I don't see why we would have to have ALL of the teeth removed.  I know what they said about the problems later on IF we have to have a tooth extracted but what about dealing w/ dentures after undergoing radiation and chemo.  I am so thankful to have the teeth I have remaining even though it initially upset me to have the 6 extracted.  I had treatment July 07 through Oct 07 and just had my second clean scan since completing treatment - I am now cancer free. 

Good luck with everything - I agree that we are all in this together.  We've been there and done it and are now behind you all the way.

Diana 

On 8/6/2008 Dlynn1210 wrote:

 

On 8/6/2008 SatniteSpecl wrote:

Darn I had typed up a neat intro history and swoosh its gone.

So anywho I have my final diagnosis this week  T1-N1-stage 3 scca of one tonsil as I work thru the steps of what's next I was told by the ENT that I need to have ALL my teeth pulled (why was that more shocking than "you have cancer"?). I went down to oral surgery and spoke with them and while they tend to agree full removal is the best option I could get by with maybe only losing 6.

I would like to discuss the cons of keeping my teeth, I'm 50 and while they're healthy let's face it they're not going to be around forever.

I understand about the weaken immune system which makes problems difficult.

The possibility of necrosis although I couldn't really be told how often that really occurs.

I also read about what's involved in having a tooth removed later if it is an issue (2 weeks of hyperbaric chamber sessions, wonder what dental plan would cover thet extraction) just trying to make a somewhat educated decision before next Thur when I've scheduled time to deal with this issue.

Thanks so much for your time, remember what Red Green says "Hang in there we're all in this together"

Hi

I know what you mean about the double whammy - who would think that after being diagnosed w/ cancer we would get upset over something like having teeth removed.  I had cancer of the left tonsil and I only had 6 teeth removed.  I had to have a root canal and a couple of cavities filled along with the extractions.  No one (I went to two dentists, as well as an oral surgeon and the specialist for the root canal) suggested I have all of my teeth removed.  I had someone else mention it so maybe it is an older treatment approach - personally I don't see why we would have to have ALL of the teeth removed.  I know what they said about the problems later on IF we have to have a tooth extracted but what about dealing w/ dentures after undergoing radiation and chemo.  I am so thankful to have the teeth I have remaining even though it initially upset me to have the 6 extracted.  I had treatment July 07 through Oct 07 and just had my second clean scan since completing treatment - I am now cancer free. 

Good luck with everything - I agree that we are all in this together.  We've been there and done it and are now behind you all the way.

Diana 

This is an area where there are different opinions.

I was evaluated by a dentist who works with a lot of oncology patients.  He did a full mouth xray and an examination and determined I did not need to get any teeth pulled (my wisdom teeth were already pulled).

So, I feel ok having all my teeth.  I am quite fastidious with my tooth care, since as you mention there are risks with removal in the future (I am told it's 30 days of hyerbaric oxygen).

By the way, I was just 52 when diagnosed with cancer in my left tonsil with 2 lymph nodes.  I had a modified radical neck disection, and 6-1/2 weeks of IMRT with concurrent cisplatin and erbitux.  I am 2 years post diagnosis.

Best wishes,

Chris

I was stage 4 scc of the left tonsil. I was told I had to lose any teeth that MIGHT have to come out in the next 5 years, as well as have any invasive dental work done that MIGHT have to be done (root canals, gum surgery, things like that). I lost a couple of molars and a couple of wisdom teeth, and had some fluoride trays made. Radiation and chemo leave you wide open for any kind of infection, including tooth decay, and the drymouth that follows also weakens your defenses against decay. I use the Biotene toothpaste and mouthwash at least twice a day, and use the fluoride trays as often as possible. I also see my dentist 3 times a year to catch any problems before they get out of hand. I'd ask for a second opinion before I consented to loosing all my teeth. There should be a good reason for you to have to undergo such a loss.

Best wishes,

Mike

While you are at the oral surgeon's, if you decide to keep your teeth, you might want to check on dental trays.  I was treated at the Cancer Treatment Center of America and they instructed me to get dental trays to help protect my teeth during radiation. 

Diana 

i got all my top teeth taken out  i was a ice hockey player so i had lots of caps and bridges    they took out 4 bottom teeth that something could maybe go wrong with 

I told them the same thing take them all out i dont want any problems i got cancer dont worry about my teeth.

But you really want to keep your bottoms if you can top dentures aint that bad  after you heal you can get tops that you wont even know you got.

But bottoms ive been told are difficult 

The reason is strictly preventitive measures I'm told. They're opinion is I will lose my salivary glands which are important to dental health and any tooth decay reaching the bone would set off the bone necrosis which in our instance would result in loss of the jawbone. Mon the oral surgeons are going to get another opinion whether I could just get by with having the 6 removed or in their opinion have them all taken, I'll being waying my options till Thurs next week.

2 teeth are wisdom which never came all the way out, 2 are teeth with crowns on them (on the same side as the cyst oddly enough) and 2 are just questionable.

I had tonsil cancer Rt side

40 IMRT radiation and cisplatain

I keep my teeth

I had had all my wisdom teeth out

but I di have two crowns and a gold inlay in a back moler, all on the Left side of my mouth

My dentist sad that my teeth where fine and at 47 I would rather keep them as long as I can 

She said that with the proper care between her and I we should be able to keep them a long time

I never got a second opinion  and I will admit that the teeth thing has made me nervous.

but what is done is done I will take good care of them  no sugar, no sweets, no crap, brush 3-4 x / day, use Vince rince, trays , and Rx floride tooth paste.

all I can do

so far so good but I am only 3 months out

john 

On 8/6/2008 Dlynn1210 wrote:

While you are at the oral surgeon's, if you decide to keep your teeth, you might want to check on dental trays.  I was treated at the Cancer Treatment Center of America and they instructed me to get dental trays to help protect my teeth during radiation. 

Diana 

My husband is 8 weeks post treatment and doing great!  He had to have all of his upper teeth pulled before starting treatment.  I asked the dentist about the dental trays because I had heard the radiation can cause burns from fillings.  She said they were going to replace my husband's metal fillings with ceramic, and that we would not need him to wear a tray.  He didn't have any burns from the fillings - just FYI...