The Timing of Extractions Prior to Radiation Therapy Does Not Influence the Development Of Osteoradionecrosis

Abstract

Osteoradionecrosis (ORN) of the jaw is a debilitating late complication of head and neck radiotherapy (RT). At our institution, head and neck cancer (HNC) patients undergo pre-RT dental screening and prophylactic extractions of poor-prognosis teeth prior to RT to reduce the likelihood of a post-RT extraction, a well-established risk factor for ORN. In many cases, it is not feasible to delay commencing RT to allow sufficient time for the complete healing of extraction sites prior to RT. Recently, the benefit of pre-RT extractions in decreasing the risk of ORN has been disputed.