Connect
← Return to Results of post radiation teeth extraction, implants and HBOT
Discussion
Results of post radiation teeth extraction, implants and HBOT
Head & Neck Cancer | Last Active: Mar 16 10:55am | Replies (17)Comment receiving replies
Hyperbaric oxygen treatment as I understand will help heal live tissue and bone that was damaged by radiation. It will do nothing to bring back dead tissue however. You are relatively soon from treatment so likely oxygen treatment sounds like a good plan. Attaching implants to dead bone however is not a good idea, just a temporary solution. Dead bone or osteonecrosis will slowly be obsorbed by the body until the remaining bone fractures. At that moment it becomes critical.
My left mandible suffered from osteoradionecrosis for years after cancer treatment. Teeth cracked or exploded, roots got infected. X-rays showed progressive decay of the mandible over years. Eventually I had the mandible replaced with a section of my fibula and attached tissue. Not an easy surgery but the results are amazing. I had gold teeth installed to go with my new pirate smile and I look marvelous. Can eat anything now.
Good that you are being proactive.
Replies to "Hyperbaric oxygen treatment as I understand will help heal live tissue and bone that was damaged..."
Connect
@hrhwilliam
Hi Mr Olsen,
I last messaged you in Sept 2025 after my diagnosis of osteoradionecrosis. I had an initial local consultation with a recommendation for the Fibular Free Flap procedure but with lots of dire warnings about surgical complications of inability to eat well, speak well, and even the ability to cover the surgical defect due to my previously irradiated and permanently scarred neck.
As I mentioned previously, I’m a retired family doc and decided to do an extensive literature search on other approaches. By God’s grace I learned about Dr Michael Fritz at Cleveland Clinic.
He and his team of ENT and reconstructive surgeons have developed a “rescue” surgery for those with ORN. Initially I thought I would not be a candidate since I had progressed to an actual mandibular fracture but he offered me a “rescue plus” procedure which I underwent in early November. It involves a titanium spanner to stabilize the jaw, bone graft from the iliac crest (hip bone), and a skin and soft tissue free flap that gets placed over the bone and with microvascular attachment to blood vessels in the temple area—and all done from inside the mouth!!
3 days in hospital, soft foods within a week, up and moving immediately, and no need for extensive rehab.
I just got cleared for unrestricted diet. My bone graft is coming along well. The only downside is that I’m not able to get any dental implants to replace the 3 back teeth that are now gone, so chewing only on one side of my mouth. I can live with that!
This may be a good option for those with early stage ORN of the jaw. Unfortunately I don’t think it has caught on with the other medical centers yet but hopefully the numbers will bear out this approach and help avoid the Fibular Free Flap for some.
Enjoy life everyone and persevere!
Dr. Mike