What Researchers Did
This review article discussed the effects of radiation therapy on the mouth and how to manage them, focusing on dental care before and after treatment.
What They Found
The review covered dental extractions for patients with teeth before and after radiation, along with ongoing dental care including fluoride treatments and restorative work. It also provided detailed guidelines for managing patients without teeth, addressing risks like bone necrosis, proper denture use, and the timing of denture placement. The article concluded with a discussion on osteoradionecrosis and soft-tissue necrosis.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients receiving radiation therapy for head and neck cancers can benefit from these guidelines on managing oral health, including strategies for dental care and denture use. Understanding these practices can help prevent severe complications like osteoradionecrosis, improving their quality of life post-treatment.
Canadian Relevance
This study is not Canadian. However, it covers osteoradionecrosis, which is a Health Canada-recognized indication for hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT).
Study Limitations
As a review article from 1979, this study does not present new research data and its recommendations may not reflect current best practices.