Dental management of the irradiated patient.

There is an increasing number of patients receiving radiation therapy for oral malignancies. In many malignant tumors, radiation is often the treatment of choice, while in others it may be used in conjunction with surgery or chemotherapy. There are inherent dental and oral problems associated with radiation therapy. It is the purpose of this paper to deal briefly with the physical principles and the biological basis of radiation therapy. In addition, the specific radiation effects on oral mucous membranes, taste buds, salivary glands, bone, the periodontium and teeth will be discussed. Radiation complications in edentulous patients, and in particular the problems of wearing dentures in such patients will be evaluated. An approach to the problem of dental extractions and other dental treatments in the pre- and post-irradiated patient is suggested.