Should I get a bridge to replace teeth from removed jaw?

Good morning, @mimiparris. You’ve certainly had quite an experience already with your jaw cancer and subsequent surgery & radiation. I’m really relieved for you to hear recovery is going well! Now to replace the missing teeth.

While you’re waiting for other members who have had similar experiences to reply, I thought maybe I could help you with a little information about bridges and removable partial dentures.
The person you referenced with the bridge that she doesn’t wear, is most likely using a partial denture. It’s removable and if it’s not fitting correctly, it can be uncomfortable. I’m wondering if perhaps she didn’t have adjustments made as the tissue in her mouth changed after healing from surgery. From the time of the original fitting of the partial, tissue can change requiring modifications to the partial. The dentist can easily make those changes by adding denture material with a reline or adjustments to the little clasps on the denture.

Partial dentures would give you a quick and relatively inexpensive replacement to those lost teeth so that you have an even bite again and teeth for talking and chewing.
Another big concern is extrusion which can take place if you don’t have lower teeth. With no contact from the opposing lower teeth, the upper teeth can migrate down into the lower space left by the removal. Eventually that can cause premature loss of those teeth as well. So from a dental health standpoint it is important to replace those lost teeth.

A dental bridge is not removable. This is a one piece unit of constructed replacement teeth which will need to anchor on one or more of your remaining teeth. They give a solid, natural mouth feel. However in your case a bridge may not be an option if there aren’t any strong anchor teeth available to use.

There are dental implants where one or more anchors are implanted in the bone so that new teeth can be attached to those. However, with your history and surgery I’m not sure that’s a viable option either. This will need to be discussed with your dentist and your Oral and maxillofacial surgeon, or whomever is your guiding doctor with your care.

If you need any more information about tooth replacements and need examples or explanations, don’t hesitate to ask me. What has your dentist suggested for restoration of your teeth?

Wow! Very helpful. Thanks. My dentist said that this is beyond his expertise, so referred me to a prosthodontist, whom I see this week—consultation only.

Radiation after a mandible replacement seems odd however every case is different.
I had a prosthetic teeth implant after similar surgery. I find it very helpful with eating, speaking, and general health. I also find it difficult to clean and keep the area healthy. It’s been almost three years now. Not regretting it but wish there was a better way to keep food out from underneath. Mine was done at Mayo Rochester.
Did you have support pegs installed at time of bone replacement?

Excellent, @mimiparris! I actually meant to ask about a referral to a prosthodontist in my reply to you…my fingers got ahead of my brain again. LOL By the way, I’m a retired CDA (certified dental assistant) with 30+ years of experience. So I always have a side-eye out for popping into conversations if I think I can add some clarity.

Anyway, the prosthodontist is a dentist who specializes in the treatment of issues relating to the face, oral cavity, and teeth to help restore the function and appearance of the mouth and face. So this is the perfect next step for you. This won’t be their first rodeo in treating a post oral cancer patient so they’ll find a solution that works best for you.
I’ll be interested to hear about their recommendations for you. Will you let me know?

Thank you for sharing this with @mimiparis. I wasn’t sure if implants were recommended after a mandible replacement so this was really helpful info. I know it can be a hassle getting under bridges and around implants for cleaning. Have you tried a waterpic and or/ Proxabrush?

No, no support pegs. I was told I can’t have implants, which is fine since they’re so expensive. I had to have massive radiation and chemo due 44 lymph nodes being removed and to be sure no more spreading. The worst of all, however, was the temporary trachea, then waiting for the trach to close.

Waterpic with 25% chlorhexidine rinse added to 75% water. Not always easy to use that when dining out or traveling. Must clean after every meal or snack.

Hello and welcome to Connect. My father had this surgery back in the early 90s. He managed to eat fairly well without those lower teeth. I don’t recall the doctors offering him a bridge but that was a while ago. Unfortunately after a few years he had a local recurrence and ended up with a feeding tube until he passed away.

Keep me posted. I was also supposed to get a permanent bridge, but my gums have receded so much from my previous periodic disease and the radiation treatments that I don’t think the tooth is viable anymore. I’d like to know which other options are out there.