Radiation and chemo and teeth issues

SherylF

I would like to know how many ladies have had their teeth fall out due to radiation treatment for breast cancer.

I have had it happen to me but my oncologist at CARTI will only say it is possible. My dentist wants to cut my mouth to pieces and remove bone from under my tongue on top and bottom. I don’t want dentures I don’t want them cutting my mouth and my insurance will pay for that 100% but not for breast implants why not dental implants were created to replace teeth.This was caused by the cancer treatment?!!!!! I would like to sit down and enjoy a meal like everyone else. Instead I pick or chop it up so fine that a baby could eat it orjust swallow the piece of whatever whole.

Why does the insurance we pay for dictate the procedures we want and need. Because they are worried about MONEY! Not you at all. We pay our insurance so they should pay for whatever we need pertaining to cancer!

MountainMia

I have never heard of this happening. Is this something you've read somewhere?

NorCalS

I’m sorry to hear about the effects that radiation has had on your moth. I was told that if the radiation field covers the neck and jaw region, it could affect dental work. My radiation field included the neck region, so I was worried about that. My RO assured me that since the radiation field would not include the jaw, dental work should be ok. Luckily, my RO was right about my situation. My fillings and teeth are ok, but neck region is stiff. Although, the radiation did burn off all the skin tags on my neck.

Moderators

SherylF,

We're so very sorry to hear you're experiencing this issue! We haven't heard of this as a side effect of treatment, but you may find others here soon who have had a similar experience.

We've edited your subject line of your post to add "and teeth issues" to see if this helps others see and weigh in on your post.

We hope this helps and that you find relief soon!

--The Mods

MinusTwo

Sheryl - I've never heard of this either. Why were they aiming radiation towards your mouth/jaw for breast cancer? What kind of chemo drugs did you have? What other treatments have you had? Please go to 'my profile' and fill in your breast cancer diagnosis & treatment. You will have to make it public so people will be better able to answer your questions.

The only teeth/jaw issues I'm aware of are osteonecrosis of the jaw that can be a side effect of biosphosphonates or Prolia shots. Please do provide more information.

flashlight

My BIL had neck radiation. He was seen routinely by a speech therapist who checked his mouth and swallowing. I don't think you can blame radiation for your tooth loss. Most likely it was from the chemo. Did you have mouth ulcers or gum disease? My friend used biotin mouth wash for dry mouth. Dental implants are made out of very expensive titanium. A full mouth I think would be around 34 thousand dollars. I wish insurance covered more of this amount. I would get a second opinion before I let any dentist cut into the bone. Dentures are covered at least 50% depending on your dental insurance. They have come a long way especially if you find the right dentist. Good luck!

JWoo

no rads for me, but I was warned that chemo could destroy my teeth, and it has. I spent 4 years in adult braces, got them off about a year before getting dx'd. I'm 7 years out from chemo and have lost 4 teeth, and another just broke yesterday.

I just opened a savings account for full upper and lower permanent replacements.

I'm so sorry that you are having much worse issues. And don't understand what your den wants to do, or why. That sounds incredibly drastic.

WC3

I didn't have radiation but I had gum recession if quite a few milimeters during chemotherapy. I can easily measure this as I have two crowns with metal bands at the tops that were fitted such that the border of the metal and porcelain was at the gumline. Now my gumline is far above that and the dentine is exposed.