title: The Effects of Ionizing Radiation on the Oral Cavity.
abstract: The aim of this study is to present a literature review on the effects of the ionizing radiation from radiotherapy treatment on dental tissues.
  
  
  
  Among the effects of increasing global life expectancy and longevity of the teeth in the oral cavity, increasing rates of neoplastic diseases have been observed. One of the important treatment modalities for head and neck neoplastic diseases is radiotherapy, which uses ionizing radiation as the main mechanism of action. Therefore, it is essential for dentists to be aware of the changes in oral and dental tissues caused by ionizing radiation, and to develop treatment and prevention strategies.
  
  
  
  In general, there is still controversy about the effects of ionizing radiation on dental structures. However, qualitative and quantitative changes in saliva and oral microbiota, presence of oral mucositis and radiation-related caries are expected, as they represent the well-known side effects of treatment with ionizing radiation. Points that still remain unclear are the effects of radiotherapy on enamel and dentin, and on their mechanisms of bonding to contemporary adhesive materials.
  
  
  
  Ionizing radiation has shown important interaction with organic tissues, since more deleterious effects have been shown on the oral mucosa, salivary glands and dentin, than on enamel.
  
  
  
  With the increasing number of patients with cancer seeking dental treatment before and after head and neck radiotherapy, it is important for dentists to be aware of the effects of ionizing radiation on the oral cavity.
authors.affiliation: PhD Student, Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil, Phone: +55 11 30917645, e-mail: sandra.cunha@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Sandra Ribeiro
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: de Barros da Cunha
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiotherapy, Hospital Sirio Libanes, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Pedro Augusto Mendes
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine, Hospital Sirio Libanes, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ana Cristina Aló
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Nesrallah
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine, Hospital Sirio Libanes, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Cláudia Joffily
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Parahyba
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine, Hospital Sirio Libanes, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Eduardo Rodrigues
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Fregnani
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ana Cecília Corrêa
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Aranha
mesh_terms: D003731:Dental Caries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D003815:Dentists; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D009055:Mouth / Q000528:radiation effects*; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000528:radiation effects*; D010025:Osteoradionecrosis; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D011839:Radiation, Ionizing; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013280:Stomatitis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology
keywords: Dental tissues; Head and neck cancer; Ionizing radiation; Radiotherapy