Disclaimer

Although we take care to ensure accuracy, Macmillan Cancer Support does not accept liability for the information and materials provided or referenced in Ask an Expert or for any errors or omissions in them, or for third-party information or services such as other websites we may link to. The information and materials provided or referenced in Ask an Expert are for information purposes only and are not intended to be legal, financial or medical advice or opinions. If you need more details on your rights, please contact a financial, legal or other appropriate adviser.

We recommend that you consult your doctor if you are concerned about your health. Any You should not rely on any information and materials provided or referenced in Ask an Expert including by our Experts as they are not a replacement for advice, diagnosis or treatment from your medical team, and our Experts cannot provide a second opinion to that of your medical team.

Your question can be read by others – so please don't post your contact details or any other information that could personally identify you. Please read our Terms and Conditions and Community Guidelines for more details.

dental treatment

Salgo
  • 1 reply
  • 43 subscribers
  • 99 views

Please coukd you advise. I am about to start chemo/immunotherapy but now need some dental treatment and a tooth extracted as have fractured the root of a crown. Tooth is in upper front and very wobbly.

Tooth needs to be extracted. Should I do this now and if so how long should I wait before starting chemo? If can't get into dentists, will this holdup treatment or can dental work be done when having chemo?

Thanks

  • Hi Salgo

    Thanks for getting in touch and welcome to the Online Community. I’m Barbara, one of the Cancer Information Nurses here on the Macmillan support line.

    I am sorry to hear that you are about to start chemotherapy and immunotherapy for cancer, I do hope the treatment goes well for you. I am also sorry to hear that you have a dental problem.

    The first step should be to contact either your consultant oncologist or clinical nurse specialist (CNS) to let them know about your dental problem and to find out the start date for your chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

    The second step should be to contact your dentist, you can let them know about your treatment start date. Because there is an increased risk of bleeding or infection it might be helpful to give the dentist your consultant’s contact details, just in case they want to discuss your dental work.

    The dentist might be able to do enough work to address the immediate problem and plan to carry out further dental work when your chemotherapy is complete. They may want to allow a minimum of two weeks from completing dental work until you start chemotherapy, but this decision will be made by your consultant oncologist.

    The oncologist will need to know that healing has taken place to minimise the risk of you developing an infection prior to you starting the chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

    I hope this information helps and please get back in touch if you need any more information or support.

     

    Best wishes,

    Barbara – Cancer Information Nurse Specialist.

    You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email.

    Ref/ BL /CC

Help us do whatever it takes, because we’ve never been needed more.

© Macmillan Cancer Support 2025 © Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604). Also operating in Northern Ireland. A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales company number 2400969. Isle of Man company number 4694F. Registered office: 3rd Floor, Bronze Building, The Forge, 105 Sumner Street, London, SE1 9HZ. VAT no: 668265007