[Dental problems before irradiation (author's transl)].

Abstract

Before antitumoral facial irradiation, those teeth that cannot be conserved for a sufficiently long post-irradiation period of at least two years should be extracted. Teeth that are less affected, in patients given palliative treatment and in whom the prognosis is better, can be conserved. The conserved teeth are protected from destruction by the application of a fluoride gel. Dental reconstruction is ensured by the conventional methods, including the fixed prosthesis. The arches can be restored with atraumatic fixed prostheses but prudence is required. If extraction is necessary, a strict procedure must be employed and sufficient antibiotic treatment prescribed.