What Researchers Did
Researchers reported their experience with osseointegrated implant treatment in 12 oral cancer patients who had undergone extensive resection and often radiotherapy.
What They Found
All 38 osseointegrated implants in 12 oral cancer patients healed without complications, with an observation time ranging from 7 to 47 months. The study concluded that successful healing after implantation in irradiated mandibles is achievable without hyperbaric oxygen, even with radiation dosages up to 50 Gy, provided careful surgical technique, antibiotics, and a prolonged healing period are used.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
This study suggests that Canadian oral cancer patients requiring extensive resections and radiotherapy may still be candidates for successful osseointegrated implant rehabilitation. This could improve their quality of life by restoring oral function and aesthetics, even after receiving radiation therapy.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection as it was conducted in Denmark.
Study Limitations
This study is limited by its small sample size of 12 patients and 38 implants, and its nature as a report of experience rather than a controlled clinical trial.