UPDATE Post Cancer, Brother’s Mouth Reconstruction

As many of you know, my younger brother Ricky had stage 4 throat cancer 13 years ago. 

After 40 radiation treatments and 16 rounds of chemo, there were and still remain side effects. The radiation destroyed his salivary glands, which play a huge part keeping one's teeth healthy. After 9 or so years of wearing fluoride trays, his teeth still disintegrated. Needing to have his mouth repaired to eat, he went to an oral surgeon in NYC. After spending almost $50,000 for several extractions and posts, when it was time for the crowns, the dental surgeon realized several of the posts were loose. Not only did the oral surgeon fail to take into consideration the extent of my brother’s radiation dosage, but the excessive disturbance of the jawbone left him with osteonecrosis in his lower jaw The jaw bone had died in places. Ricky then went to UCONN School of Medicine, had the dead portion of his jawbone scraped away, and was prescribed medicine to promote blood flow and healing. He narrowly avoided needing to have part of his lower jawbone completely removed. 

Rick then went to a Prostheodontist who only specializes in mouth reconstruction. The Prostheodontist confirmed that what had been done by the original oral surgeon was not appropriate. He stated that with the fragility of his jaw and the state of the remaining teeth, that the only way to proceed was to extract all remaining teeth, space out 4 post on top, and 4 posts on the bottom and place a one peice set of crowns for the top and bottom. 

Yesterday, Rick finished the top set at a cost of $30,000. 

He now needs to have the bottom remaining teeth extracted, and 4 posts put in, and crowns created and set. This will have an additional cost in the $30k to $40k range. 

Our greatest appreciation to all who have donated to his cause! 

We are forever grateful If anyone new can help or share this it would help make an excruciating situation so much more bearable. 

Deep bows of gratitude,

Angela (MIssy)