Dental help, please - asap

LRM216 · June 2009

Just prior to my diagnose of cancer in at the end of February, I had a dental appt. set (much needed appt, as I'd rather be in labor than go to the dentist), for two crowns that were old and in need of replacement. Teeth have been root-canaled and crowned at least 10 yrs. ago. I cancelled the dentist as I was too involved in the newly diagnosed breast cancer, biopsy, mri, bone scan, ct scans, you know the scenario. Then began my chemo 4/30 and that's when they became even looser. I have had 2 A/C's and after the first landed in the hospital with neutropenia and breast infection for 5 days - second chemo just had one week ago, and again, neutropenic but no infection as they keep me on an antibiotic now day 2 - 14 of the chemo. One of the crowns just fell out of my mouth! I am in no pain whatsoever,but this was a root canaled tooth and, fortunately, it's in the back of my mouth so you don't see it, but anyone know what I can do. I am currently neutropenic but I don't know whether I can see a dentist with this or not. Any one have any suggestions? Thank you.

Linda

Anonymous · June 2009

Hi, I am a dental hygienist, not a dentist, but I will give you my opinion. First of all, do you still have the crown? If so they might be able to recement it as a temp measure just so the tooth is protectedl. If you don't have the crn I am sure they could fix you up with some sort of temp, again just to protect the tooth. SInce it has had a root canal is it brittle and you dont want it just to break off. Having a temp procedure like one of these done would not be considered invasive and I think would be fine, BUT ask your onco first. You take antibiotics with your chemo so perhaps this would be enough that you don't need any additional coverage for dental treatment, but ask about that also. The one thing I know you need to avoid if taking any of those biophosphate drugs, zometa, pamidromant (sp), etc, is any sort of extraction or procedure where the healing factor would be affected because you run the risk of developing osteonecrosis. In tbe meantime avoid chewing on the unprotected tooth. Hope this has been of some help. There is another hygienist who posts on her so maybe she will have some input also.

LRM216 · June 2009

Marybe - thank you so very much for your expertise and comfort. I do have the crown, but there is barely anything there but a very teensy tiny stub in the middle of my gum where the crown was. Maybe that was the problem I was having even before the chemo - that there wasn't enough left or it just rotted out over the years? I am looking at it right now and can't even see any tooth whatsoever. The crown also has something attached on the inner side like a little spike like thingy. I know I must sound like an idiot, and that this is all due to my stupidity at not having gone to the dentist long before the cancer was even diagnosed (and I do have dental coverage also) but I just don't want to die from a tooth! I don't take any drugs as you stated, other than the Avelox antibiotic, as I am triple neg. I hate to bother the onc over the weekend, do you think I am ok to go until Monday - then I can call her, see what she suggests and then be able to at least reach a dentist. I hate when things like this happen on a weekend. Again, thank you for coming to my rescue.

Hugs,

Linda

Anonymous · June 2009

Why would you know dental terms and treatment if you didnt need to? So don't consider yourself stupid It's like when a computer tec tries to tell me how to do something over the phone when mjy computer is locked up or won.t connect and I can't see the button he is telling me is right there in front of me anywhere' The spike sticking up is most likely a post which they would have done a build up on to support the crown, but it sound like the filling material has more or less gone away. They might still be able to use the crn for a temp so hold on to it. If there was anything left to support the crown I would tell you just to stick it on with toothpaste or something to keep it there until you get an appt with a dentist, but it sounds as if there isnt anything left so since it is not a vital tooth and doesn't hurt, I would just avoid chewing anything on that side

LRM216 · June 2009

Bless you both - God sent me two angels today.

Linda

hollyann · June 2009

Linda, just sending you a hug..I know how it is with a tooth going wonky on a weekend!....Hope you got to the dentist today..........Sheesh we are so close we need to meet up, girlfriend!......Are you working Tuesday?......Maybe we could meet for lunch or something.......

LRM216 · June 2009

Hollyann - Thanks for the hug - I needed it! Nope, didn't get to dentist today as he doesn't have weekend hours anyway, and I wasn't too pleased with him my last visit anyway, so will probably call someone new after I speak with the onc on Monday. I actually feel better with the dang thing out, as it began to loosen during my first chemo, and I guess my second one shot all to heck. I have no pain and most of the tooth is in the crown! (I thank God it's been root canaled, or I'd probably be climbing the walls). I am on antibiotics, so I'm not real worried about that. I'd love to meet up with you, but I am also neutropenic from the second surgery and she wants me to stick around the house until my next labs on Thursday, so I am afraid I won't be able to meet you for lunch for awhile, but I do look forward to at some point in the future. Thanks again, Hollyann.

Linda

Anonymous · June 2009

Linda, How did it turn out with your tooth? Did you get in to see a dentist? Hope all is going well for you and that it didn't ruin your entire weekend worrying about it. Marybe

LRM216 · June 2009

Hi Marybe - The onc insisted (since I am neutropenic) that I see her first for blood labs before I went to the dentist, so I went to onc and labs were up to normal so she said I could go and he could do what he needed to. Since the tooth had been root-canaled already, prior to the crown, the dentist said I was very lucky and needed nothing and cleared me for chemo (thursday). All he would have been able to do had it not been root canaled, would be to send me to oral surgeon for root canal, and they would shave tooth to gum level and crown would have to wait until after all treatment. So I am fine for now. He did say that chemo has been known to rot out brittle teeth, which of course is what is under any crown. So I am hoping it does not happen to any of the other teeth. Thanks so much for asking. Hope all is well with you.

Hugs,

Linda

Dental help, please - asap

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