Radiotherapy reduces the blood supply to your jaw bone and therefore the ability of the bone to heal. This means, if you need a tooth removing after radiotherapy, there is a chance that the bone associated with the tooth could die, causing a painful, long-standing condition called Osteoradionecrosis.Nov 12, 2021.
How long after radiation can you get dental implants?
Typically dental implants are placed after a delay of 6 months after radiotherapy (27,44,45), but it is still unknown whether longer delays are beneficial. It have been reported that there is no significant difference between the survival rates of implants placed ≥12 months and ≤ 12 months after radiotherapy (18,24)..
How long after radiation can you have tooth extraction?
The timing of tooth extraction could be as early as the first day post radiotherapy until as long as the patient lives..
Extractions in patients who underwent radiotherapy should be avoided because of the risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw. In postirradiated patients, when possible, root canal therapy is recommended because it seems to be a safe and predictable therapy.
Removable prostheses such as complete dentures and removable partial dentures are generally fabricated 6-24 months after completion of radiation treatment to minimize the breakdown of the soft tissue covering radiated jaw bone.
The timing of tooth extraction could be as early as the first day post radiotherapy until as long as the patient lives.
A conservative approach is advised in regard to extraction of teeth after radiation.[41] Extraction should only be considered after careful evaluation.AbstractPRERADIATION DENTAL RADIATION MUCOSITISDENTURE CARE
If you had high doses of radiation to the face or mouth and you require dental surgery, you may be at increased risk of developing a bone-healing problem (osteoradionecrosis) after the surgery. Your dentist should discuss this potential problem with a radiation oncologist prior to any dental surgery.
Can radiotherapy affect dental implants?
Dental implants may be affected by radiotherapy especially when they are placed in maxilla, in grafted bone, or after radiation, however, they remain a functional option for rehabilitation of head and cancer patients
More Prospective cohort studies and randomized controlled trails are still needed to draw more evidence based conclusions
Do dental practices offer radiation treatment for cancer?
All dental practices have patients who have undergone, are undergoing, or will undergo radiation therapy as part of comprehensive cancer treatment
While the theoretical basis for radiation treatment of cancer was developed decades ago, new delivery systems have been introduced, and protocols are constantly being revised
Radiation can damage blood vessels in your jawbone (the mandible), which supply nutrients to the bone cells. The damage makes it hard for the jawbone to heal from invasive procedures such as extractions, implant placement, or gum surgery done after radiation. This complication is called osteoradionecrosis.
Dental work after radiation therapy
Medical use of fluoride
Fluoride therapy is the use of fluoride for medical purposes. Fluoride supplements are recommended to prevent tooth decay in children older than six months in areas where the drinking water is low in fluoride. It is typically used as a liquid, pill, or paste by mouth. Fluoride has also been used to treat a number of bone diseases.
