I have had my first meeting with my oncologist. He is going to prescribe Ibandronic Acid tablets but won’t do this until I have had a dental check up. I am petrified of the dentist so will the oncologist need evidence of a check up or can I be a little less than truthful! I am also going to have radiotherapy. Chemo won’t give me much better outcomes so I have declined this.
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Sorry you havent had a reply yet @mela just replying so hopefully someone who’s been in this situation will see your post .
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I am taking Ibandronic acid. In fact I have just taken a tablet and am reading through posts on here while waiting for the half hour to pass before I can have my breakfast.
When I was starting my tablets my oncologist told me to have a dental check up. I don’t recall him wanting any evidence. I had recently visited my dentist and they were happy that my teeth and mouth were healthy enough.
The reason behind getting a check up beforehand is so that any invasive dental work can be done and healed before starting the medication. I understand a little not liking going to the dentist - I didn’t go at all for several years. I guess you need to be honest about your teeth. Are they generally ok or do you have some niggles of tooth pain? The risk is if you need an extraction while taking the medication. Very rarely it could lead to problems, and, from what I’ve read, could lead to more dental treatment. It’s a tricky one for sure, trying to weigh up the likelihood of this happening.
Good luck with whatever you decide
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Thank you for your helpful reply. Are you experiencing any side effects with the tablets.
Hi @mela
I started the tablets in summer 2024. After about six weeks I had a weird kind of ear infection. After some investigation it was found to be just my weird ear (I have had multiple infections and things since my teens)
I have been taking the tablets ever since and not had any other problems.
ngl I get being petrified of the dentist, but this isn’t just a routine thing. These bone-strengthening drugs make your jaw heal differently, so they need to make sure there are no hidden infections first. tbh it’s better to just tell the dentist you’re nervous and getting cancer treatment, they’re usually way more careful once they know.
The reason they need you to see a dentist is that if you needed a dental extraction it should be done before you start the tablets. The bisphosphonate meds strengthen bone by slowing the cellular turnover which also makes it harder to heal and increases the risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw. I just had two wisdom teeth out in between my mastectomy and radiation as my surgeon mentioned I might need zolendronic acid. At least you should heal up fine if you have any dental work now so please don’t put it off and make it a bigger problem later on!
Thankyou for your advice. Dentist appointment now made. I just need to face my fear and be a big girl!!!
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Really glad you’re going to go, I didn’t go when recommended as I was frightened that my chemo might get delayed, glad I finally got it done though. Hopefully you’ll only need the checkup and won’t have to worry about it again. Best wishes for your treatment xx