One of our patients was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the vocal cords. Like many patients, he was referred to CARTI to begin oncology care immediately.
As part of his cancer workup, the dental team at CARTI evaluated him and recognized something critical:
He would likely need a full mouth of extractions before radiation.
Why? Because radiation to the head and neck permanently changes the jawbone.
After radiation, removing teeth becomes extremely risky due to a condition called osteoradionecrosis — where the bone loses its blood supply and can begin to die. Healing is unpredictable. Infections can become serious very quickly.
In many cases, once radiation is complete:
- Teeth often cannot be safely removed
- Dental implants are typically no longer an option
- A removable denture may be the only solution
And dentures in a radiated mouth can be extremely difficult to tolerate due to dryness, tissue changes, and soreness.
Recognizing the long-term impact this could have, his care team wanted to explore every possible option before treatment began. As part of that process, he was connected with our office to evaluate what might be possible prior to radiation.
Why Timing Matters So Much
Before radiation begins, the bone still has its normal blood supply. Healing is predictable. Surgery is safer.
Because this was identified early, our teams were able to work together to:
Evaluate him for implant-supported treatment
- Evaluate him for implant-supported treatment
- Coordinate closely with his oncology team
- Obtain medical insurance coverage to assist with treatment
- Schedule surgery quickly so radiation would not be delayed
That timing changed everything.
Instead of facing a lifetime in a removable denture, he was able to move forward with a stable, long-term implant solution — while still beginning radiation as scheduled.
We are grateful to collaborate with teams like CARTI in caring for patients like this one. Early coordination made it possible to protect not just his health, but his long-term quality of life. That timing changed everything.