Dad starts IMRT on Wednesday (tongue tumor removed 4/27) and saw the dentist day before yesterday. He had 1 cavity filled and a second old filling w/new cavity drilled out with a temporary cap placed on it. Anybody know if it's really a good idea to start rad w/ a temp on or if it's better to wait till tooth is permanently fixed? From all I've read about the importance of healthy mouth, I wonder, but, then again, I wonder about everything lately.

It's good that your dad is getting the maintenance done now. I can't really answer the question about the cap however. When does he get the permanent one put on? Have you run this by the radiation oncologist? I take it that he had a dental assessment? Was he fitted for dental trays to do the at home flouride treatments he will need to do?

The radiation effects will start to appear at about 3 weeks - sooner for some.

Dentist sez he can put the permanent cap on during radiation period if Dad feels well enough, or they can wait until he's done. He sees the RO for the final run through on Tuesday, so we can ask him about his thoughts on it then. He was fitted for the flouride trays Monday and should get them today. His RO said by week three things likely would get rough. It's the same RO who did rad on a non-Hodgkin's tumor on the head in 2001 and another on the back in 2003. Dad just finished chemo (w/Retuxan)in January for non-H tumor in stomach. He was supposed to get his next Retuxan-only treatment in June, but oncologist sez it can wait till he'd done w/ rad for oral. Wondering if all this prior treatment for non-H will make it more likely he'll have problems with rad for the oral cancer. Seems like the hits just keep on coming.

I had two temporary caps put on one week before I started my radiation and I had no problems with it at all. Believe it or not, I still have the temp caps on.
Minnie

I would think that as long as the dental work does not involve bone or blood (as in extractions or work below the gum line) then it will not be a problem getting temporary work done.

As for the effects of radiation, everyone has a personal reaction. Some of us had relatively lower side effects and I have yet to see a common reason for those lower side effects. A stubborn positive attitude helps, as does a strong support system.

Your father will have to brace himself and pace himself. It is a slow and grinding process until he gets his last radiation treatment. Use humor and humility liberally. He can do this.

Gary, thanks for replying. Wow, Minnie, you know how to make temporary last! The input is good. Helps me to stop fussing about the little things. I'm heading back to Chicago on Sunday and plan to be there for most of the next 8 weeks. Mom's been hanging in there, but needs to get to some medical appointments herself.

Mark, good factual info as always. And poetry, too. Brace and pace. Humor and humility.
I like that. Thanks everybody for being there.
Tina