title: Prevention and treatment of the orofacial complications of radiotherapy.
abstract: Radiotherapy of malignant head and neck tumors often causes extensive, permanent changes in salivary glands, peridental alveolar bone, and mucosal structures. Dental neglect and inappropriate dental management can cause complications. The potential orofacial side effects of radiotherapy are reviewed, as are preventive strategies for the dental treatment of patients scheduled to undergo radiotherapy.
mesh_terms: D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D003730:Dental Care for Persons with Disabilities; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007571:Jaw Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000528:radiation effects; D010025:Osteoradionecrosis / Q000209:etiology; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013280:Stomatitis / Q000209:etiology; D013651:Taste Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D014081:Tooth Extraction; D014313:Trismus / Q000209:etiology; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000209:etiology