Radiographic analysis of the management of tooth extractions in head and neck-irradiated patients: a case series
- Author:
Samanta V. OLIVEIRA
1
;
Renata S. VELLEI
;
Daniele HEGUEDUSCH
;
Carina DOMANESCHI
;
Claudio COSTA
;
Camila de BARROS GALLO
Author Information
- Publication Type:Case Report
- From:Imaging Science in Dentistry 2021;51(3):323-328
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: Tooth extraction after head and neck radiotherapy exposes patients to an increased risk for osteoradionecrosis of the jaw. This study reports the results of a radiographic analysis of bone neoformation after tooth extraction in a case series of patients who underwent radiation therapy. No patients developed osteoradionecrosis within a follow-up of 1 year. Complete mucosal repair was observed 30 days after surgery, while no sign of bone formation was observed 2 months after the dental extractions. Pixel intensity and fractal dimension image analyses only showed significant bone formation 12 months after the tooth extractions. These surgical procedures must follow a strict protocol that includes antibiotic prophylaxis and therapy and complete wound closure, since bone formation at the alveolar socket occurs at a slower pace in patients who have undergone head and neck radiotherapy.
