Posted by writeradmin
I have been dealing with cancer and had just finished my last round of chemotherapy. A few days later, I developed a pimple on my gums. I scheduled an emergency appointment with my dentist. He said my teeth are a mess because of all my radiation, etc. and I just need to extract my teeth and get dentures. I am devastated. I worked so crazy hard to keep my teeth healthy during my cancer treatments. I knew ahead of time the beating my teeth would take and made preparations. I got prescription strength fluoride. I brushed after every meal. I flossed every day even when it was painful. I tried to get extra appointments, but my dentist said it wasn’t necessary. Now, I’m wondering if all my hard work was for nothing. What do I do?
Callie Anne
Dear Callie Anne,
I am so sorry for all you have been through. Please do not remove all your teeth. I have some concerns about your treatment. Why in the world would your dentist say extra appointments are not necessary and then, once your treatments are over, that your situation is hopeless. What was he looking at during your regular appointments? There would have been warning signs and then those extra appointments would have been necessary.
Though I’d like you to bear in mind that I haven’t examined you, in general, teeth are not hopeless unless they are coming loose. You did not mention anything about loose teeth.
Dentists are not all equal. Some will do everything they can to try and save your teeth. Others, just prefer to extract them. It sounds like your dentist is one of the latter. I think you need a new dentist. Find one who is willing to put in all the work necessary to save your teeth.
However, you do have an abscessed tooth, which is what that pimple on your gum means. I would schedule an emergency dental appointment with another dentist in order to take care of your abscessed tooth right away. Once that is secure, start your search for a dentist who has a goal of saving as much natural tooth structure as possible.
Even if all your teeth had to be extracted, which I doubt, I would not suggest that you get removable dentures. This eventually leaves you with facial collapse. Any time someone is in the position of losing all their teeth, I always suggest they get implant supported dentures.
This blog is brought to you by Youngsville Dentist Dr. John Theriot.