Has anyone had hyperbaric treatments? If so, how did it go? What's it like? What's the average duration?

I had a consult last week with the oral surgeon at the dental clinic to ask about future replacement of the teeth taken to provide a clean margin. (It worked but half bottom teeth removed). I have another appointment on the 21st with their team for an assessment. I saw the x-ray and there's a lot of jawbone gone - much more than I expected as it is covered by the free flap. The surgeon mentioned a clip-in denture on posts possibility, de-bulking, and hyperbaric treatments. He indicated I would be a good candidate. What will hyperbaric do for me? Is is used only to avoid potential necrosis or is there more to it?

Thanks
Myrna

Hi Myrna, Hyperbaric treatment is recommended to assist cancer patients and others heal from surgery, wounds, etc. The oxygen is absorbed into the tissues as well as inhaled. The age of the equipment used is important. The newer equipment can control the length and depth of the "dive." Older equipment cannot. My treatments lasted 30 minutes each, every day, 5 days a week for a month. They can have you take treatments 20 days before surgery and 10 after. In my case, I developed additional sinus problems, and migraine headaches. They changed the depth and shortened the dive which helped. The healing was excellent, however, I now understand that there are some who do not believe it is of benefit. Check Web MD for more information. Cathy

My husband Jerry was looking into the hyperbaric treatment as he developed these fistula's on his neck that are not healing He is afraid that his insurance will not help pay for them as it is going to cost around 750.00 as day for treatment for 6 weeks. I think he should do it anyway.
I just want him to beable to eat and to use his device to help him talk

Hi. Guys
I have looked extensively into having hyperbaric oxygen treatment. The advantages are, that it will increase the blood flow to the damaged tissues and cells in the mouth. Patients with head and neck cancers have a high risk of dental problems (something I feel that is not explained fully prior to radiotherapy.) I do know that the blood flow naturally to the top of your mouth is some 4 times more than the lower. Therefore having teeth extracted from the lower jaw is not recommended by a general dentist. Sometimes it will have to be carried out in hospital with surgery by a facial surgeon or an dental oncologist. So big problems can occur. Also your teeth can fuse to the bone, because the radiotherapy can destroy the soft tissues that hold your teeth in place in the jaw. Infection can lead to osteoradionacosis, which can be very serious.
The down side to the treatment as far as I can tell is that you could need as many as 20-25 dives and a further 10 or so after you have had dental surgery. As there a very few places in UK where you can have the treatment is can mean long journeys which can take as much as 4-5 hours out of your day.
I am also not sure as to the total success of the treatment and if you are not covered under a medical insurance scheme could prove very expensive.
I do not think enough is discussed in the forum about the severity of the after effects of radiotherapy relating to dental problems on this site. I would be interested if Dr Vinod K Joshi could shed some of his wisdom on the subject.
Keep smiling.
James Bagnell
james@waltonbathrooms.co.uk

James Bagnell's post concerning problems with teeth after radiotherapy interested me. I also had no idea that radiotherapy could affect the teeth. No one mentioned the possibility prior to the start of my 30 treatments. Perhaps the docs considered my treatment level did not merit discussion although I have no idea of what the level was.

While attending a routine visit to my dentist he appeared surprised at the good condition of my teeth when I mentioned I had completed radiotherapy.

I have never heard of hyperbaric treatments and associated 'dives'. Thank goodness I apparently do not need this treatment. What symptoms would make one consider such treatment?

Regards, Fridge

Hi Fridge
I won’t ask why your name is Fridge.(cool name).
As far as I am aware, having radiotherapy to the face especially beam radiotherapy around the mouth area can and will lead to Xerostomia (dry mouth). You like me have this, which is one of the most unpleasant after affects of the treatment. I used to have reasonably good sound teeth up until 4 months after my treatment had finished. Apparently a lack of salvation leads to a higher risk of bacteria in the mouth as saliva helps to kill off bad bacteria along with helping to remove debris from food after we have eaten.
Whilst I keep my mouth very clean, a few teeth which were say borderline have become loose. This means extraction and the problems associated I mentioned in my last post. Therefore it is my opinion that dental problems associated with the effects of radiotherapy are not discussed enough by Oncologist or by people on this forum. I cannot stress the importance of good oral hygiene. I have put a few links together to some useful websites. I do not wish to frighten anyone but having hopefully now been in remission from cancer for 6 months and started to taste and eat food again properly. The last thing I want is having no bloody teeth to chew the food I can at last start to enjoy again.
http://cancerweb.ncl.ac.uk/cancernet/302904.html
http://www.capital-hyperbarics.co.uk/
Regards James Bagnell

Hi James, the teeth are a problem, my ex was a dentist, my four molars were removed from the lower jaw, I have a plate which I manage quite well, however the dry mouth is a problem, also cleaning teeth, my gums seem to be a bit of a problem, and I have had the most terrible toothache on the upper jaw molars.
I was most unhappy that my molars were removed after the two operations, at the hospital, when they cook have taken them out whilst I was under, my molars were o.k. and they had a hell of a job getting them out, plus, I had to go back twice, and be opened up etc, I was not offered hyperbaric treatment. Still unable to eat spicy foods

Hi Garance.
Am I reading your post correctly?, Have you had 1 operation to remove 4 molars and a further operation to remove 2. I know that the lower jaw has a lesser blood flow after radiotherapy and removing teeth can be a problem and the risks of osteoradionacosis is hightened. It sound that your teeth were fused to the bone, which is casued by the radiation destroying the pocket in which teeth rest. I am sorry that although you have been on this forum many times I am not familiar with your symptoms and treatment. Please feel free to email me as sometimes a one to one is better than a forum to share our experiences. Regards James.
james@waltonbathrooms.co.uk