Important considerations for dental safety to prevent osteoradionecrosis of the jaws

Abstract

Patients undergoing radiotherapy for malignancies in the head-and-neck region are prone to ex-periencing a range of dental complications. Osteoradionecrosis of the jaw (ORNJ) is a noteworthy complication that occurs infrequently but carries substantial significance, as evidenced by reported occurrence rates ranging from 2% to 22%. ORNJ is distinguished by bone necrosis and the inability to heal properly for at least 3 months. In the majority of cases, ORNJ typically demonstrates a gradual progression characterized by the subsequent development of infections, intra-or extra-oral fistulas, and bone necrosis with or without pathological fractures. There exists a multitude of risk factors that have been postulated to be associated with ORNJ. The literature extensively documents the influence of dental interventions on the progression of ORNJ; however, it continues to be a topic of continuing multidisciplinary debate. Establishing multidisciplinary collaborations that organize data and develop guidelines will be valuable for healthcare professionals operating in this specialized and relatively un -familiar field. Therefore, this review has identified eleven key facts about dental safety precautions to prevent ORNJ and is prepared to give a clear and concise message to reduce the current uncertainty to provide recommendations, explanations, and measures.