Ray - Radiation tx turns 'rubber-band'-like jaw muscles into shoe leather. But, its never too late to start regaining some of that lost jaw motion. I too was ignorant about losing jaw function until will after tx. I could barely stick a finger into my mouth. Some of the lost motion is recovered with healing, but more can be regained with exercises. Find out about "Therabite" and small device used to exercise the jaw. I have not recovered all the lost motion, but I got back a lot - more than enough for speech, smiling and laughing. No more hot-dog eating contests for me, but .... Life is good. Be strong. Tom J