Latest messages for CancerCompass discussion http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,42869,0.htm Fri, 24 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT Fri, 24 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ We have dental insurance, $2000 max/year, and Blue Cross health insurance, the cheapest plan they offer at my husband's work.  BC told the oral surgery office that they  would not pay for any dental work, so we had to make up the difference. That did not seem right to me or my doctors.  So I called the insurance company to see what to do.  I was told to wait until the claim was officially denied, whereupon I could appeal.  That seemed like a poor idea, since I knew by then I'd be in the middle of radiation and feeling terrible.  So I kept asking questions and found out that there actually is a process to do it ahead of time,  some kind of board that can make that decision.  I think they don't have to offer the information, but probably do have to answer questions honestly. I had four doctors (2 oral surgeons, my ENT/surgeon, and my radiation oncologist) write letters to this board.  They all said someone else should do it, but I was persuasive (because I was not feeling sick yet, just without teeth, as I was waiting for my mouth to heal before I could begin radiation).  In the end, the payment was approved. It took us forever to get the money refunded.  I had my teeth out in Dec. of '10, and we still don't have everything all worked out yet, as we had to pay for the dentures since we'd maxed out our dental insurance with the extractions.  Now the oral surgery office has paid the insurance company back and the denturist has resubmitted our claim for the dentures (apparently there is a one-year window when you  can do this).  We still have not heard back from that. Long story, I know, but I hope it might help someone get some of this paid for.  Just remember not to take the first "no" for an answer.  Keep asking questions, talk to supervisors, make them do what you've been paying for all this time. Best of luck to everyone. Susan Sdurnell Thu, 17 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT I live in Pittsburgh, PA and have Highmark Blue Cross-Blue Shield.  They have denied my dental and orthodontist claims even though I have a letter from my radiation doctor saying that what needed was medically neccesary.  I am in contact with my state Senator to try and make changes to medical insurance and oral/dental coverage.  Dental coverage has a small limit.  Mine is $1,000.00 per year.  We all need to write to our state senators to make this change.  I will post what I here back.  Doesn't seem fair that medical insurance will pay for a new breast, but not teeth to be able to eat.  Something is wrong with this picture.  In one week I get my braces off and was told I will need dental work.  This cancer has put me in financial trouble with dental work.  Wish I only needed a breast. paularae Thu, 17 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT On May 10, 2012 3:39 AM paularae wrote: I also had NPC and am close to three years clear.  I have dry mouth and have my teeth still.  In fact I have had to wear braces for the last two years to realign my teeth so I have less pressure on my jaw.  I can now open my mouth.  I hope after this, I don't start losing my teeth.  I have had two cavities since my treatment.  Does dental insurance or medical insurance pay for dentures?  I am working with my state rep. to have medical insurance pay for dental or oral devices due to head and neck cancer.  If dentures are in my future, I will now know how to make them stick. PaulaGood Question on Medical Insurance and Dentures.  I did not submit any claims to my medical, but our dental did pay.  We maxed out the $2,000 limit on our dental and still owe $6,500 that we will be paying off over the next 5 years so if I can get my medical insurance to foot some of the bill, that would be awesome! g8orgal79 Thu, 10 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Blue cross paid to have mine pulled before radiation and they covered a cheap lower plate that never ever fit....but they wont pay for any more plates.  And I had to have my oncologists orders in writing before the dentist would start or insurance would pay. Slowlane Thu, 10 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT I also had NPC and am close to three years clear.  I have dry mouth and have my teeth still.  In fact I have had to wear braces for the last two years to realign my teeth so I have less pressure on my jaw.  I can now open my mouth.  I hope after this, I don't start losing my teeth.  I have had two cavities since my treatment.  Does dental insurance or medical insurance pay for dentures?  I am working with my state rep. to have medical insurance pay for dental or oral devices due to head and neck cancer.  If dentures are in my future, I will now know how to make them stick. Paula paularae Thu, 10 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT I had my teeth pulled before radiation, and did not get my dentures for five months afterward.  I had lost a lot of bone, and my denturist felt I would need adhesive.  But I didn't because I could not swallow, and therefore was not eating at all.  Seven months later, after several throat dilations, I began eating, and now need to use adhesive.  My teeth still move some when I eat, but I think it's because they need some adjustment.  There are some foods that I may never eat, due to the combination of the dentures not being as good as real teeth, and my low saliva status.  But it's getting easier all the time. I have a friend who wears dentures and uses the solid sheets for her uppers that were recommended above.  She swears by them, and I suspect eventually I'll look into them.  They seem like a good alternative for those of us with little mouth moisture. Sdurnell Wed, 09 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT My husband had treatments 4 years ago for throat cancer; the dry mouth played havoc on his teeth and about 3 weeks ago he had all his teeth pulled and now has dentures.  I am concerned about the dry mouth issues because one specialist (all he does is dentures) refused to see him becuase of his condition.  He told us you have to have saliva for dentures to stay put.  Well, his teeth were crumbling in front of our eyes so it was not an option for them to stay in.  We found another dentist that agreed to treat him and she told us you only needed a little bit of saliva to create the suction.  Again, he has only had them for 3 weeks so I am sure we are in for a ride, but so far so good; the only issue is they like to move when he is trying to bite into food (his dentist said not to use the adhesive until he has healed a bit more).  The treatments with the gift that keeps on giving, but a small price to pay for healthy living 4 years later :) g8orgal79 Tue, 08 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT I have had full lower dentures for about 18 months now.  I tried lots of stuff but ended up with ensure brand denture adhesive cream in the tube as my favorite.  Dry mouth has nothing to do with getting the dentures to stay in place.  I also am on my third set of lowers because of all the changes taking place from radiation recovery.  You gotta have a good fit and a lot of denture cream to get the bottoms to stay in place.  As PopPop says "your mileage may vary".  Cant help on the top teeth but it wont be long they will all be gone.   Keep trying and posting what works.......Slowlane Slowlane Tue, 17 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT On Jan 07, 2010 10:36 PM cheval wrote: My husband had nasalpharynx cancer many years ago and received a great deal of radiation. He is alive but the radiation has caused lots of problems...hearing loss, unable to swallow, teeth decay, dry mouth. Because of too many infections in his teeth, he had to have them all pulled and he has dentures. Problem is that no glue will keep the dentures in place. He has tried the gel and the powder types...nothing works. Has anyone had this problem or something similar? We just spent thousands of dollars on the dentures and he can't wear them. Please help us. Thank youI hope your still around I need your help! I want to begin by saying I had the same cancer your husband had and I have never talked with anyone with it it's so rare, I would love to talk more about it. I have been cancer free for 7 years now but the radiation and dry mouth has played a toll on my teeth as well. I am getting dentures soon but I too am worried about how dry mouth will affect them. It terrifies me to think of having my remaining teeth pulled and having to go one day without dentures! Please tell me did you finally find something to help him? How is he now? Candi1990 Wed, 11 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT On Jan 07, 2010 10:36 PM cheval wrote: My husband had nasalpharynx cancer many years ago and received a great deal of radiation. He is alive but the radiation has caused lots of problems...hearing loss, unable to swallow, teeth decay, dry mouth. Because of too many infections in his teeth, he had to have them all pulled and he has dentures. Problem is that no glue will keep the dentures in place. He has tried the gel and the powder types...nothing works. Has anyone had this problem or something similar? We just spent thousands of dollars on the dentures and he can't wear them. Please help us. Thank you Hi....I'm new to this board and still feeling myself around. I have SCC of the palate and I wear upper and lower dentures. Had them for many many years. Now with tx and weight loss.....the only thing that holds my uppers in is a product called SEABOND. They are like thin wafers and I have to put two together....trim them with scissors and then fit them into my top plate after I clean it throughly. My bottom denture is still okay but have lower Seabonds on hand.  Have to keep my teeth in as much as possible because I feel gaggier if they are out. Not that they are helping any with eating cuz right now everything repulses me even water. EVERYTHING TASTES LIKE SALT WATER! I have a PEG and even though it's still giving me some probs.....I think they'll be showing me fast how to use it. I feel like crap the last couple of days. I'm on my 9th rad today. #10 Rad and 2nd chemo too coming up tomorrow. I know I'm getting dehydrated but there is NOTHING I can get down!! I'm so nauseus at the site of anything.....I was drinking water last week but NOW it's like drinking Long Island Sound!! Have all I can do to swallow compazine and my other meds.  Well enough about me.....Please try and find some SEABOND at your rx or grocery store and that should work for your hubby.  Di   DoubleTrouble Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT My husband had nasalpharynx cancer many years ago and received a great deal of radiation. He is alive but the radiation has caused lots of problems...hearing loss, unable to swallow, teeth decay, dry mouth. Because of too many infections in his teeth, he had to have them all pulled and he has dentures. Problem is that no glue will keep the dentures in place. He has tried the gel and the powder types...nothing works. Has anyone had this problem or something similar? We just spent thousands of dollars on the dentures and he can't wear them. Please help us. Thank you cheval Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT