1. < Head & Neck Cancer

Dental issues after radiation for tonsil cancer?

Posted by slmoore0626 @slmoore0626, Aug 25 10:46am

I am a year out from radiation and chemo for tonsil cancer. Treatments followed two surgeries, the first was biopsies and tonsillectomy. I was intubated for 3.5 hours and had one chipped tooth and a loose one following the surgery. The second surgery was to remove any residue and to do a lymph-node dissection for which I was under for 2.5 hrs. Again My teeth were loose and sore afterwards. I am starting to have issues with both teeth. My question is if anyone has had success with insurance for this? I am sure the repair is going to be extensive.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Head & Neck Cancer Support Group.

Mentor
William Olsen, Volunteer Mentor | @hrhwilliam | Aug 25 4:09pm

Oh how I wish health insurance would cover the dental issues following radiation in the head and neck. The radiation damages the gums and sometimes (in my case) kills the mandible which is known as osteoradionecrosis. Even with a replaced mandible and prosthetic teeth, I still get charged for dental work if that area is visited by a surgeon, at Mayo no less. Makes me shake what's left of my head sometimes. If you take the buggers to court, I will be happy to testify on your behalf.
About all I can recommend is to find some good dental insurance that covers more than fillings and crowns, which might be the least of your teeth issues in years to come. I hope you are one of the lucky ones where the teeth issues resolve. For me it has been well over $25K out of pocket in the past ten years.
As for now, keep track of dental x-rays by looking for deterioration of the mandible or upper jaw as the case may be. Time will tell. Stay with soft foods for a few years perhaps. Good luck.

REPLY
1 reply
slmoore0626 | @slmoore0626 | Aug 25 4:13pm
In reply to @hrhwilliam "Oh how I wish health insurance would cover the dental issues following radiation in the head..." + (show)
@hrhwilliam

Oh how I wish health insurance would cover the dental issues following radiation in the head and neck. The radiation damages the gums and sometimes (in my case) kills the mandible which is known as osteoradionecrosis. Even with a replaced mandible and prosthetic teeth, I still get charged for dental work if that area is visited by a surgeon, at Mayo no less. Makes me shake what's left of my head sometimes. If you take the buggers to court, I will be happy to testify on your behalf.
About all I can recommend is to find some good dental insurance that covers more than fillings and crowns, which might be the least of your teeth issues in years to come. I hope you are one of the lucky ones where the teeth issues resolve. For me it has been well over $25K out of pocket in the past ten years.
As for now, keep track of dental x-rays by looking for deterioration of the mandible or upper jaw as the case may be. Time will tell. Stay with soft foods for a few years perhaps. Good luck.

Jump to this post

Thank you. ( I think)!

REPLY
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Sep 8 10:40am

@slmoore0626, you may also be interested in these related discussions:
- Teeth removal for HPV cancer: how to get insurance for replacement?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/teeth-removal-for-hpv-cancer-insurance-coverage-for-replacement/
- How do you care for teeth and dental health after H&N cancer?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/recommendations-for-teeth-and-dental-health/
See all: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/head-neck-cancer/?search=teeth#discussion-listview

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.