Osteoradionecrosis of the jaws—a current overview—part 2: dental management and therapeutic options for treatment

• Published in: Oral and maxillofacial surgery Vol. 14; no. 2; pp. 81 - 95
• Main Authors: Chrcanovic, Bruno Ramos, Reher, Peter, Sousa, Alexandre Andrade, Harris, Malcolm
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01.06.2010; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Anti-Bacterial Agents - therapeutic use; Head and Neck Neoplasms - radiotherapy; Humans; Hyperbaric Oxygenation; Jaw Diseases - prevention & control; Jaw Diseases - surgery; Jaw Diseases - therapy; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; Original Article; Osteoradionecrosis - prevention & control; Osteoradionecrosis - surgery; Osteoradionecrosis - therapy; Patient Care Planning; Radiotherapy - adverse effects; Risk Assessment; Ultrasonic Therapy; Jaw; Treatment; Dental care; Osteoradionecrosis
• ISSN: 1865-1550; 1865-1569
• DOI: 10.1007/s10006-010-0205-1

Purpose The aim of this paper is to explore the current theories about pretreatment assessment and dental management of patients receiving head and neck radiotherapy, and the therapeutic options to treat osteoradionecrosis of the jaws, based on the literature review. Discussion Osteoradionecrosis is one of the most serious oral complications of head and neck cancer treatment. Osteoradionecrosis is a severe delayed radiation-induced injury, characterized by bone tissue necrosis and failure to heal. Osteoradionecrosis either stabilizes or gradually worsens and is notoriously difficult to manage. Because most cases occur in patients who were dentulous in the mandible at tumor onset, proper dental management is the single most important factor in prevention. Conclusions Complete dental clearance before treatment is no longer necessary. Controversy exists regarding the management of osteoradionecrosis of the maxillofacial skeleton because of the variability of this condition. The treatment of osteoradionecrosis has included local wound care, antibiotic therapy, surgical procedures, and the administration of hyperbaric oxygenation. Recently, new methods of treatment were introduced, according to the new theory about its pathophysiology.