Oral rehabilitation Flashcards
What are the oral side effects to radiotherapy?
Sore tissues Find it hard to eat Miscle tiredness Dry mouth Can suffer from osteonecrosis Fibrosed tissues Nerve defects (numbness)
What can be an acute side effect to radiotherapy?
Tissues can be burnt
Mucositis is an effect of radiation- how long for it to heal?
2-4 weeks
up to 6 weeks with chemotherapy
What is Mucositis?
Ulceration and inflammation of the tissues
What is not recommended for the healing of the oral mucosa ?
CHX
What MW is recommended for symptomatic control?
Lidocaine
What is Radiation caries?
Pattern of caries after a pt has been through radiotheapy- caries can progress rapidly due to dry mouth and potentially a bad diet as they may not be able to taste things as well- means for more sugar in food
What method of fluoride might be recommended after therapy?
Fluoride trays for 3 months
What advice can you give to patients who might find it difficult to eat?
Warn that supplements can be v sugary and bad for the teeth
What is osteoradionecrosis?
Bone death due to radiation
Radiation has damaged the blood vessels
What should be the Tx plan if cancer treatment is due?
Extract any teeth first due to potential radiation damage to bone
Do any complex surgery before and simply care after
Why is the posterior teeth more susceptible for osteonecrosis ?
The patient will find it harder to clean
