Dental Care Post-Radiation

If you suffer from oral cancer or have recently gone into remission, odds are that you have been through some kind of radiation treatment. Though radiation treatment is not used for all types or stages of oral cancer, it is a commonly prescribed treatment that is often successful.

Unfortunately, radiation therapy can exacerbate any health conditions of your jaw, teeth, and tissue. It can also lead to a number of other problems such as inflammation of mucous membranes, infection, permanent dry mouth, cavities, consistent toothache, increased potential for tooth decay, and weakening of the jawbone. Radiation can also make it more difficult for you to taste, swallow, eat, or speak.

Throughout your oral cancer treatment, our Northern VA oral surgeon Dr. Snehal Patel works closely with your healthcare team and general dentist to ensure your oral health is protected throughout the process. Prior to undergoing radiation therapy, we determine whether advanced procedures will be needed in order to prepare the smile for post-radiation treatments. Impressions of your smile will also be taken to create your future restoration once treatment is complete.

Post-Cancer Restoration Options

At Lorton-Springfield Dental Implants & Oral Surgery, implant supported restorations and jaw reinforcement treatments are just a few of the services we offer for improving your smile following radiation therapy.

Dental implants are excellent options for those seeking an alternative to dentures following cancer therapy. Implants are secured to the jaw bone to stabilize prosthetic teeth, providing patients with lifelike replacement teeth. As prosthetics of varying sizes can be secured to dental implants, this treatment is a versatile option for patients with diverse tooth replacement needs.

Jaw reinforcement treatments, such as bone grafting and ridge modification, may also be necessary. Bone grafting is a surgical procedure in which donated bone is attached (grafted) to the missing area, thus reinforcing the strength of the jaw. Similarly, ridge modification corrects bone abnormalities by filling deficient or uneven sections of the jaw with a bone-like substance. Both treatments are critical to restoring health to the jaw bone and are often included as part of the dental implant process for patients recovering from oral cancer.

Restoring Your Smile in Lorton and Springfield

At Lorton-Springfield Dental Implants & Oral Surgery, our mission is to provide patients with lasting dental solutions that enhance their quality of life following oral cancer. For more information about restoring your smile following radiation therapy, contact Dr. Patel and his team today.