Q. My father-in-law recently had an operation for cancer, which involved removal of some of the roof of his mouth, as a result of which he now wears an obturator. Following radiotherapy, his obturator now fits so poorly that he is almost unable to eat or drink, as everything comes straight down his nose. It also makes his speech difficult to understand. He has gone from 12 stone down to about 9, and is still losing weight – to the extent that everyone involved in his care is concerned about him, but his reconstructive dentist is too busy to anything about it. Is it possible to have an obturator made privately? What would the likely cost be? How long would it take? It seems absurd to cure a man of cancer only to condemn him to starve to death! I look forward to hearing from you.