Periodontal changes in patients after head and neck radiation therapy

Conventional radiotherapy may affect tissues adjacent to the tumour site which may include the oral cavity. This may lead to complications such as mucositis, xerostomia, dysgeusia, opportunistic infections as well as periodontal attachment loss. The purpose of this study is to determine the potential impact of head and neck radiation therapy on periodontal status. This is an observational cross sectional study. This study was conducted on 81 patients (43 males and 38 females) were selected from the Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology, Government Medical College and Hospital, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India from August 2014 to October 2014. The Test group comprised of 41 patients who were undergoing radiation therapy for malignant neoplasia in head and neck region. The Control group comprised of 40 patients with malignant neoplasia in the head and neck region who reported for the first time to the hospital OPD. The following clinical parameters were evaluated- probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL) and Gingival recession (GR). It was found there exist a statistical difference between test and control group (p<0.005) among all the measured variables. Dental treatment should be aimed at improving the oral hygiene status of patients through professional dental care. Patients should be constantly motivated toward maintaining a meticulous oral hygiene status before, during and after radiotherapy to prevent and control the oral and periodontal sequelae.