Endosseous (dental) implants in an oncologic population: a primer for treatment considerations

Successful intraoral rehabilitation for patients with head and neck cancer can be extremely challenging to both the patient and the physician due to anatomical, functional, and esthetic changes from the cancer and its treatment. The measures with optimal oral hygiene to prevent or minimize the sequelae of cancer treatments are fundamental to preservation of function and avoidance of complications of therapy. In patients with loss of teeth, endosseous (dental) implants offer an option to improve intraoral rehabilitation. This review presents the indications, problems, and relevant issues pertaining to the use of endosseous implants in a head and neck oncologic population. The problems associated with the traditional approaches for cancer treatment including surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, as well as those with antiresorptive medications are discussed as they relate to consideration for endosseous implants. This information can aid dental practitioners to select appropriate candidates for implant surgery, minimize postoperative complications, and maximize the successful oral rehabilitation of this patient population.