Dental Implant placement after Radiotherapy

摘要

Patients who have undergone radiotherapy for the management of malignant disease about the head and neck may develop complications of radiotherapy treatment include oral mucosal damage (mucositis), dry mouth (xerostomia) as result of salivary gland damage, and damage to bone (osteoradionecrosis). Some of the changes make patients more vulnerable to dental diseases and vulnerable to complications if oral surgery is undertaken. Ideally, patients should be made dentally fit before treatment, in order to avoid the risk of dental extractions later. In the long term, periodontal diseases and caries can be controlled with adequate monitoring and with appropriate use of Chlorhexidine oral rinse and fluoride applications. It is of great importance therefore that patients scheduled for radiotherapy undergo a thorough oral clinical and radiographic examination in order to minimise their dental needs after radiotherapy.