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Radiotherapy‐associated dental extractions and osteoradionecrosis
Author(s) -
Beech Nicholas M.,
Porceddu Sandro,
Batstone Martin D.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.24553
Subject(s) - osteoradionecrosis , medicine , radiation therapy , head and neck cancer , head and neck , dentistry , surgery
Background Preradiotherapy dental extractions often form a part of the management plan for patients treated with radiotherapy for head and neck cancers in order to prevent complications, such as osteoradionecrosis. There is contention about whether these extractions should be performed and the timing of such extractions. The purpose of this study was to determine if pre‐RT extractions were associated with the development of osteoradionecrosis of the jaws. Methods Retrospective data on patients treated with RT for oropharyngeal cancer were pooled with a cross‐sectional survey. Results Pre‐radiotherapy dental extractions were associated with a statistically significant increase in the risk of developing ORN. Conclusion Pre‐radiotherapy dental extractions do not protect against the development of osteoradionecrosis. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 39: 128–132, 2017