title: Oral complications of radiotherapy in the head and neck.
abstract: Radiotherapy is a treatment modality largely used for head and neck malignancies. However, high doses of radiation in large areas, including the oral cavity, maxilla, mandible and salivary glands may result in several undesired reactions. Mucositis, candidosis, disgeusia, radiation caries, osteoradionecrosis, soft tissue necrosis and xerostomia are some of radiotherapys complications.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to briefly review the side effects that may be seen in the oral cavity during or after radiotherapy treatment in the head and neck region. BASIC METHOD USED: Review of relevant literature.
  
  
  METHODS
  Literature review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Radiotherapy is still associated with several side effects, significantly affecting patients quality of life.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A multidisciplinary treatment, including physicians, dentists, speech therapists, nutritionists, and psychologists, is the best alternative to minimize, or even prevent such reactions.
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Odontologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Bruno Correia
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Jham
authors.forename: Addah Regina
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: da Silva Freire
mesh_terms: D016371:Cranial Irradiation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000209:etiology; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D007571:Jaw Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000528:radiation effects*; D010025:Osteoradionecrosis / Q000209:etiology; D011788:Quality of Life; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000150:complications*