Teeth cracking and chipping

I had surgery for minor Salivary gland cancer a year and a half ago. I had radiation treatment following. I have not chewed on that side of my mouth since. I now have a cracked molar which they believe was caused by the radiation. I am also losing the bone below that tooth and the one next to it. I am having a root canal on the molar and having the crack bonded. The oral surgeon and the endodontist don’t want to pull the tooth. Hopefully this works for e!

I have lost 5 teeth over 15 years and another 2 are on their way out. Had proton therapy so only one side of my mouth is subject to destruction.

Do you need the Hyperbaric Oxygen for 30 days before and 30 days after the root canal?

MOJO

I am 17 years out from stage lV tonsil & tongue. I had nothing removed before radiation. First few years I had cracking and splitting of teeth and several root canals which took care of immediate problem and pain. I consulted an oral surgeon at 5 years out and due to deteriorating jaw bone/ not just on side of radiation but affected most of lower jaw. We decided best long term solution was to remove teeth , upper and lower, place 4 implants 2 upper and 2 lower to snap in dentures.(( dentures held with implants need no sticky gel)) Worked very well. I had 30 hyperbaric treatments pre-removal of teeth to help with ability to heal. Teeth out - 6 months heal- dentures, few adjustments and able to eat perfectly, no pain. Implants placed into the upper and lower jaw bones help in stabilizing the bones and slow deterioration of bone. Years passed, jaw bone shrinks in size, dentures do not fit well, causing difficulty chewing and painful. Need to have fixed dentures placed. 4 more implants with ability to have screws placed into them inserted. Tried to make old dentures fit over new screw implants but didn’t work very well. I believe it was 8 months without teeth, it is really not that bad. I was able to fix lots of foods, soups, potatoes and concoctions to stay full. Finally fixed dentures installed and perfect teeth and ability to eat about anything!!!! FYI — all of this dental surgery some cost of teeth I was able to get paid by my insurance plan -wellmark BC - which we had had for 16 years. It was an older plan but covered all cost of cancer related treatments. The dentist will assure you that no insurance will pay for anything regarding dentures but the office staff doesn’t want to deal with insurance. We did pay up front for dentures but I was able to give billing people cancer diagnosis codes and ( late effect of cancer) codes to submit for these procedures and follow up closely with a case management insurance person/department and get money reimbursed to me.
FYI the dentist billers will discourage you from trying at all to get this paid for because easier for them to gather cash, DON’T GIVE UP. Many, many procedures and items are covered for cancer diagnosis. It is all about the codes sent in. I used medical diagnoses codes, cancer is a Medical condition, not dental. These dentures and bridges are highly expensive, it is well worth an argument or two.
Julie

Thank you Julie!
Sounds like you have been persistent!

MOJO

No, but I I need the tooth pulled, it will be a whole different story. Hyperbaric oxygen was mentioned.

If i need the tooth pulled.

No, I had them before I had all my teeth removed. It has been several years ago but I think the reason I had them was a pre-caution to improve my chances of healing well. I believe they increase the blood flow to my jaw bones to promote healing after removal. I had several root canal’s and got along fine. Julie