What Researchers Did
Researchers systematically reviewed existing literature to understand how radiation therapy affects the success of craniofacial and dental implants in bone.
What They Found
The review summarized 11 animal studies and 16 human clinical studies, which included 8 on craniofacial and 8 on dental implants. They found that bone exposed to radiation has a higher risk of implant failure compared to bone that has not been irradiated. This increased risk could be up to 12 times greater, though the quality of the studies varied.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients who have undergone radiation therapy, particularly for head and neck cancers, and are considering dental or craniofacial implants should be aware of the increased risk of implant failure. This information is important for discussions with their healthcare providers to help plan treatment and set realistic expectations.
Canadian Relevance
This study covers the effects of radiation on bone and implants, which is relevant to Health Canada-recognized indications like osteoradionecrosis, a form of delayed radiation injury.
Study Limitations
The authors noted that the studies comparing implant success in irradiated versus non-irradiated bone were of poor to moderate quality, meaning the exact magnitude of increased risk should be viewed cautiously.