Dentist’s behavior before the need for exodontics in patients irradiated in the region of head and neck

Abstract

This literature review empha- sizes important aspects related to tooth extraction in patients submit- ted to radiotherapy in the region of head and neck, by alerting the den- tist about the risk of osteoradione- crosis. The irradiated bone reacts to an infection in a particular way, because of its condition of hypoxia, hypocellularity and hypovasculari- ty. For this reason, dental extrac- tions are contraindicated on these patients during and after the ra- diotherapy treatment. When the pulp is compromised, the endodon- tic therapy must be considered as the first option of treatment. Thus, when it cannot be accomplished, the choice will be the tooth extrac- tion; however, this must be done, at least, 3 weeks before the beginning of the radiotherapy. Key words: tooth extraction, os- teoradionecrosis, jaw diseases, radiotherapy, head and neck neo- plasms.