Radiation-related caries: etiology and preventive strategies

Radiotherapy, alone or associated with surgery or chemotherapy, produces a significant increase in cure rates for many malignancies of the head and neck region. However, high doses of radiation in large areas, including the oral mucosa, may result in several undesired reactions that manifest during or after the completion of therapy. The multidisciplinary management is the best alternative to minimize or even prevent such reactions, and the dentist has a fundamental role in this context. . After completion of the treatment course, a substantial number of patients develop so-called radiation caries.it is important for dentist be aware of the potential oral problem that may occur following head and neck radiation therapy since appropriate treatment will minimize or eliminate complications. In this review we discussed main causal factors for radiogenic caries, either indirect impairment, resulting from alterations in the oral environment (e.g., radiation-induced xerostomia) or direct radiation-induced damage in teeth hard tissues and notify possible preventive strategies.