Radiation Shield (guard)

[phyllis]

Hey guys....

I was looking at other Dental lab websites and came across one that listed
Radiation Sheilds(guards) on their products list under Guards/Splints etc..
I never heard of one for the teeth. This is a new one for me. Does anybody
know what they are talking about? I know Iam just the front office person at our lab but my technicians didn't know either.

Thanks for any info you can throw my way.

Phyllis

[trisha]

?????????

[TheLabGuy]

A patient that has facial radiation loses everything alive i.e. tissue, gums, nerves to teeth. Of course their is exceptions to everything and some radiation is less severe than others. However, the patient I personally did a 10 unit lower bridge for had no tissue, just the jaw bone was showing and a couple prepped teeth (that were obviously necrotic, dead). The patient didn't have any sensitivity, everything was dead. This specific patient was diagnosed with mouth cancer from 14 years of chewing a can of copenhagen a day. I imagine the radiation guard is used to protect the upper jaw if getting the lower jaw radiated, or vice versa. I assumed the onocologist had someone make these for the patients, but I guess that dental labs do as well now. If you ever get a chance to see a mouth cancer patient that has radiation treatment and survived, take a look, it's a sight you won't forget.

[phyllis]

Thanks Lab Guy,

That is what we thought it was for....and yes I have seen pictures of mouth cancer patients. It is a sight you never forget.

Phyllis