Radiation therapy patient: special considerations in prosthodontic management

The use of radiat ion therapy in the treatment of patients with head and neck cancer has increased in the past few years. The effects of radiat ion therapy on the soft tissues and bone present the clinician with new challenges regarding the dental care. The prosthodont icrehabi litation of the patient requires special care and treatment protocol to overcome the problems of mucositis, xerostomia and osteoradionecrosis. This paper emphasizes special considerat ion dur ing the prosthetic rehabilitation of the patient with insight into both the preradiat ion and the post- radiat ion care of such patient.