Surgical periodontal treatment in the radiotherapy-treated head and neck cancer patient.

A series of clinical cases is presented in which surgical periodontal therapy was conducted within the high-dose volume of prior radiation therapy. Close oral supervision is required in patients following head and neck radiation therapy. Non-surgical periodontal management is crucial in the care of these patients following radiation therapy. Careful selection of patients for possible surgical therapy and care in performing the procedure may allow successful periodontal management, as is demonstrated in the cases reviewed.