How do you manage metal dental fillings/prosthetics and hot spot concerns for head/neck radiation?
Do you routinely employ dental wax? Does it depend on the material (titanum vs. other)? Do you take the extra time to replace metal with porcelain where possible? Any practical advice welcome.
Answer from: Radiation Oncologist at Academic Institution
We use a devise we call "teeth guard", made of polyvinyl siloxane putty described in an article by Ben David M et al.
It has a thickness of about 5 mm, which is the typical range of the secondary electrons scattered off metal in the teeth, to reduce hot spots in the gums and tongue. The device and ...