What Researchers Did
Researchers conducted a review to evaluate optimal dental management before radiotherapy and the evidence for hyperbaric oxygen treatment prior to extractions in patients who have received radiotherapy.
What They Found
The review highlighted good oral hygiene, careful preventative dental care, and extractions before radiotherapy as key strategies to prevent osteoradionecrosis (ORN) of the jaws. It also considered the evidence base for hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment prior to extractions in patients who have already undergone radiotherapy.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients undergoing radiotherapy for head and neck cancer may benefit from diligent preventative dental care, including extractions before treatment, to reduce the risk of osteoradionecrosis. For those who have already received radiotherapy, hyperbaric oxygen treatment before dental extractions might be a consideration to improve healing and prevent complications.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
As a review, this study's findings are dependent on the quality and scope of the existing literature it analyzed, and specific limitations of the included studies were not detailed.