Impact of radiation on tooth loss in patients with head and neck cancer: a retrospective dosimetric-based study

Over 300 Radiation Caries Papers: Reflections From the Rearview Mirror

“…The presence of tooth decay before HNRT, due to poor oral health, smoking habits [ 27 ] and dietary changes increases the risk of RC development and tooth extraction. The extractions of teeth with RC may be necessary in advanced cases, and most of the teeth extracted after HNRT are due to RC progression and represent a significant risk factor for ORN [ 28 ]. When RC-related tooth extraction is recommended, it should involve minor trauma with minimal flap surgery whenever possible [ 5 ].…”

“…High radiation doses may negatively impact HNC patient dentition with a significant risk of ORN, in which the teeth tend to be extracted early when they receive radiation doses >60 Gy [ 28 ]. It is worth mentioning that the increase in tooth loss due to RC is not a prediction related to radiation doses applied directly to the surface of the teeth and includes the significant impact of hyposalivation upon the dentition.…”

“…It is worth mentioning that the increase in tooth loss due to RC is not a prediction related to radiation doses applied directly to the surface of the teeth and includes the significant impact of hyposalivation upon the dentition. Radiation and other events, such as salivary changes and oral microbiome shifts related to saliva functions, are related to RC pathogenesis [ 28 ]. Clinicians should consider these events when creating prevention strategies and decreasing the progression of RC lesions.…”

“…Although pre-HNRT dental prevention has been performed, there is a risk of substantial tooth failure occurring within 2 years after treatment [ 28 ]. Therefore, patients should be provided with written and verbal instructions regarding oral care before, during, and after treatment, and prevention must be reinforced.…”

Obituary: Dr. Wagner Gomes Silva (1990 - 2023)

“…Gomes-Silva was a very skilled clinician who worked for many years as a member of the Oral Medicine staff in the teams at the São Paulo State Cancer Institute (University of São Paulo Medical School) and the Sírio-Libanês Hospital, both in the city of São Paulo. As a brilliant young scientist, he contributed to the knowledge of several oral diseases, including radiation caries [1][2][3] and oral mucositis in cancer patients through his work as a member of the Mucositis Study Group with the Multinational Association for Supportive Cancer in Cancer/International Society of Oral Oncology (MASCC/ ISOO) where he collaborated for the preparation of the "MASCC/ISOO clinical practice guidelines for the management of mucositis: subanalysis of current interventions for the management of oral mucositis in pediatric cancer patients" [4]. He was also active in other scientific activities within MASCC/ISOO in the context of the Oral Care Study Group and the Brazilian Society of Oral Medicine and Oral Pathology.…”