Specialized dental carefor cancer survivors
Survivor Smiles exists for one reason: to give cancer patients and survivors expert dental care that meets you where you are in your recovery.
About Survivor Smiles.
Founded by Dr. Ryan Lee, a dental oncologist trained at NYU and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, our practice provides advanced dental rehabilitation, implant reconstruction, and ongoing oral health support for people whose treatment has affected their teeth, gums, jawbones, or salivary function.
Patients travel to us from across the country because dental oncology of this depth is rare, and because the work we do often determines whether someone can eat, speak, or smile comfortably again.
If you have been told that "your teeth are too damaged to fix" or "you can't get implants because of your radiation history," a second opinion from a dental oncologist often opens doors you did not know existed.
a Different Kind of Dentist
Cancer treatment leaves a long oral footprint. Radiation to the head and neck reduces blood flow to the jaw and damages salivary glands, raising the risk of osteonecrosis and aggressive decay. Chemotherapy can weaken enamel, suppress healing, and trigger painful mucositis flares for years after the last infusion. Bisphosphonates and other bone-modifying drugs prescribed for cancer in the breast, prostate, or bone create their own jaw risks (BRONJ/MRONJ) that follow patients well past remission.
A general dentist is rarely trained to recognize these risks before treatment, let alone manage them safely. We are. Every patient we see is evaluated through the lens of their cancer history, treatment plan, and current medications. We coordinate directly with oncologists, surgeons, and primary care physicians so the dentistry supports the rest of your care, not the other way around.
Smiles Different
A dental oncologist leads every case.
Dr. Ryan Lee is a Northwestern-trained, MSKCC-experienced dental oncologist whose work has been featured by the American Dental Association, Cancer Today, Becker's, and Northwestern Magazine.
Medical-dental integration.
We do not work in isolation. We talk directly with your oncology team, share imaging when needed, and time procedures around your medical care. Survivors should never have to play messenger between specialists.
Financial support designed for survivors.
Cancer is expensive. We offer a 40 percent discount for cancer survivors and help coordinate medical and dental insurance benefits so out-of-pocket costs are typically capped near 60 percent of standard fees.
National practice, four offices.
We see patients at locations in New York, NY, Plainville, MA, Riverside, RI, and Redding, CT, and welcome traveling patients from anywhere in the country.
Who We Treat
We treat survivors of head and neck cancer, breast cancer, blood cancers (leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma), and any cancer where treatment has affected oral health.
Active Patients
Dental clearance before treat mentor supportive care during active chemotherapy and radiation.
Recent Survivors
Managing immediate side effects like mucositis, dry mouth, and extreme sensitivity during recovery.
Long-term Survivors
Treating late effects like radiation caries or bone issues years—even decades—later.
Starting Care With Us
Most patients begin with a consultation, either in person at one of our four offices or by video for those traveling from far away. We review your history, treatment summaries, and imaging, then build a plan that fits your recovery stage.
There is no one-size-fits-all here. Some survivors need a single implant. Some need a full-mouth rebuild. Some just need a dentist who finally understands what they have been through.
Common Questions
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Do I really need a dental oncologist, or can my regular dentist handle my care?
It depends on your cancer history. Survivors of head and neck radiation, bone marrow transplant, or long-term bisphosphonate therapy face oral health risks that most general dentists are not trained to manage. Even something as routine as a tooth extraction can trigger osteonecrosis in the wrong patient. If your treatment involved any of the above, a dental oncology consultation is worth having before any major dental work.
Can cancer survivors get dental implants?
Yes, in most cases. The myth that radiation patients can never have implants is outdated. With careful planning, advanced imaging, and sometimes adjunctive therapies like hyperbaric oxygen, many survivors are excellent candidates. We have placed implants successfully in patients who were told elsewhere that implants were impossible.
How much does treatment cost?
It varies widely based on what you need. We offer a 40 percent discount for cancer survivors and work hard to maximize medical and dental insurance coverage so most patients pay around 60 percent of standard fees out of pocket. We will give you a clear written estimate before any treatment begins.
Do you accept insurance?
We help coordinate both medical and dental insurance, since cancer-related dental care often qualifies for medical coverage that survivors do not realize is available. More on insurance and financing.
I live far from your offices. Can I still be a patient?
Yes. We routinely see patients who travel from California, Florida, North Carolina, and beyond. We can begin with a video consultation, plan treatment in advance, and coordinate visits to minimize travel. See our travelling patient guide.
Speak With a Dental Oncologist
Whether you are weeks into treatment or decades past it
