Prominent endodontist shares expertise on treating patients undergoing radiotherapy

The number of patients treated with radiation therapy is growing as a result of improvements in surgery and radiotherapy techniques. This means more endodontists will be required to be part of a team providing multidisciplinary treatment. Based on your experience, what should clinicians know about endodontic treatments before and after radiotherapy in order to manage the oral health of a patient?
Head and neck cancer poses a significant health challenge on a global scale. Although radiation therapy is highly recommended for cancer treatment, it may produce adverse effects on the patient’s oral condition. The high risk of osteoradionecrosis after radiotherapy limits tooth extraction. Therefore, endodontic treatment is a feasible option for managing oral health. Although an effective root canal treatment avoids serious complications to the patient’s oral health, it is necessary to know how to perform it and the ideal moment to choose, taking into consideration all the concerns that arise as a result of irradiation.

What are some of the specific implications of radiotherapy on endodontic treatment? Do endodontists have to change their treatment procedures in order to treat previously irradiated areas?
The dental structure most affected by radiotherapy is dentine, owing to its high organic content. Some of the alterations are caused by a process called radiolysis, leading to dehydration of the substrate, breakdown of the odontoblastic extensions and collagen fibrils, and cracks and fissures around the dentinal tubules. These alterations make the dental structure more susceptible to fracture and increase the dentinal roughness, which in turn affects the interaction between the substrate and microorganisms. Therefore, microbial colonisation, followed by the establishment of a more complex and structured biofilm, may occur. Bearing this in mind, endodontists need to redirect their treatment procedures regarding patients who have undergone radiotherapy in order to achieve endodontic success and restore oral health.

There seems to be a debate about whether root canal therapy or tooth extraction is the preferred option for patients after radiotherapy. From your clinical experience, what is your opinion on this topic?
The ideal course of action for treating a patient who has been exposed to radiation should involve a collaborative effort between medical and dental professionals. The treatment plan should be well thought out, taking into account all potential risks to the patient. It is clear that tooth extraction in radiation-exposed patients may lead to osteonecrosis and other complications that might harm the patient’s health. For this reason, endodontic treatment is often the preferred option. Nonetheless, the top priority should always be the patient’s overall well-being.

In your presentation, you will speak about future treatment options for patients after radiotherapy. Could you give a preview of what this will entail?
There is limited literature available on the combination of endodontics and radiotherapy. We will not focus on new treatment techniques, as in this sense endodontics itself is already quite advanced, but rather on the damage and structural changes that radiotherapy causes to the dental structures. Additional topics include the way in which such damage can be overcome and the ideal time frame in which to perform endodontics in order to obtain a more effective endodontic treatment with a greater chance of success.

What will be the three main learning objectives of your session at ROOTS SUMMIT 2024?
The objectives will be to address the alterations to dental structures caused by irradiation, to examine irradiation’s impact on endodontic therapy and to discuss appropriate treatment approaches for the affected teeth.

What are you personally looking forward to at next year’s ROOTS SUMMIT?
The event has been successful since its inception. Although I have never before attended in person, I have followed the entire event—speakers, topics covered and excellent organisation—online. I am excited about participating actively this time in Athens and joining the team of speakers. I am confident that the event will provide valuable knowledge for all attendees, as well as an opportunity to network and share experiences.

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