Radiotherapy prostheses

Abstract

The orofacial region performs the essential functions of mastication and speech, as well as that of appearance, which for better or worse evokes an instant and instinctive response in other people. In this region, tissue loss caused by surgical resection of a malignant tumor has a tremendous negative impact on the patient's quality of life, with deep mental and psychological repercussions. Therefore, from the standpoint of preserving form and function, radiotherapy has a major role to play in the treatment of malignant tumors in the orofacial region. That said, important organs, such as sensory organs, are present in close proximity to each other in this small region. During the irradiation process, therefore, it is important to ensure that the lesion is sufficiently irradiated while simultaneously protecting the surrounding normal tissue. In certain cases of radiotherapy of malignant tumors of the orofacial region, the use of radiotherapy prostheses can help to satisfy a basic principle of radiotherapy: that of delivering a lethal dose to the tumor while minimizing irradiation to normal tissue. In recent years, medical and dental experts have taken a team approach to creating and employing a variety of radiotherapy prostheses, working towards improving the treatment record for malignant tumors as well as reducing complications in surrounding normal tissue. As a result, patients treated with radiotherapy prostheses are now able to receive post-radiotherapy prosthodontic treatment in a dramatically safer and more rapid manner. It is clear that radiotherapy prostheses contribute significantly to the improvement of these patients' quality of life.