Period between Completion of Radiation Therapy and Prosthetic Rehabilitation in Edentulous Patients: A Retrospective Study

The dental management of patients irradiated for head and neck cancer

Patients undergoing radiotherapy for head and neck cancers are prone to a range of dental complications, including mucositis, trismus, xerostomia, radiation caries and osteoradionecrosis. Specific considerations include the preventive, restorative and rehabilitative management of such patients, and the prevention and treatment of complications. This article aims to highlight the current understanding and management of dental needs for patients who have had or will undergo radiotherapy.

Dental management of patients irradiated for head and neck cancer

Patients undergoing radiation therapy as either primary, adjuvant, combination therapy or palliative management of head and neck malignancies are prone to a range of dental complications. Strategies for prevention and management of such complications may be controversial. This article aims to highlight the current understanding and management of the dental needs for patients before, during and after radiation therapy.

The effects of therapeutic x-ray doses on mechanical, chemical and physical properties of poly methyl methacrylate

AIM

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of radiation doses very close to the human dose for oral cancers on mechanical, chemical and physical properties for poly methyl-methacrylate (PMMA).

METHODS

PMMA samples were divided into four different groups: no irradiated group, 25-Gy irradiated group, 50-Gy irradiated group and 75-Gy irradiated group. Each group contained nine samples. After 24 h, a three-point loading test was applied to each PMMA groups. The transverse strength and the elastic modulus were calculated using the test results. The results were analyzed statistically by using one-way analysis of variance. The structural characterizations of the PMMA samples were carried out by a Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometer to evaluate the chemical structure differences.

RESULTS

The transverse strength values of 25-Gy, 50-Gy and 75-Gy radiation groups were significantly higher than that of the no radiation group (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference among the elastic modulus values of the study groups (p > 0.05). The FTIR findings demonstrated that the irradiation process did not change the chemical structure of the PMMA polymeric materials.

CONCLUSION

The therapeutic radiation doses increase the mechanical properties of the PMMA; however, the chemical and structural properties have no effect. When the findings of this study are taken into account, it can be said that patients can wear dentures during the radiotherapy.