Tooth loss and caries in head and neck cancer patients
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Incidence of tooth loss and new carious lesions in patients who have received radiotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer and been placed on a preventative fluoride and CCP-ACP regime: a retrospective case series from a single unit
IRAS ID
249524
Contact name
Carly Taylor
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 2 days
Research summary
The study aims to investigate the incidence of tooth loss and carious lesions (decay) in patients who have had radiotherapy for head and neck cancer and received a preventative fluoride and 'tooth mousse' regime at a single unit.
The incidence of head and neck cancer has increased by nearly 25% over the last 10 years and is expected to continue to rise. A large proportion of these patients receive radiotherapy. Radiotherapy is associated with an increased risk of dental caries which is thought to be predominantly due to reduced saliva flow. There is subsequently an increased likelihood of dental extractions. Patients who have previously had radiotherapy prior to dental extractions are at a high risk of developing osteoradionecrosis. This is a severely debilitating condition which can lead to severe infections which spread throughout the jaw bone and result in its destruction. It is very difficult to treat effectively.
Fluoride has been shown to reduce the risk of caries developing and for this reason, patients undergoing radiotherapy to the head and neck region are routinely treated with a fluoride prevention regime at the Manchester Dental Hospital using 'fluoride trays'constructed by the dentist. In addition, they are advised to use 'tooth mousse' to compensate for lack of calcium and phosphate ions (due to lack of saliva) which will affect the ability of teeth to remineralise. This study will aim to identify the incidence of tooth loss and carious lesions in a cohort of these patients.
Patient notes will be accessed starting from 2009 (when computer records of fluoride trays provided began) to retrospectively identify the teeth extracted and carious lesions which have developed and development of osteoradionecrosis since starting radiotherapy.REC name
East of England - Cambridge South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/EE/0108
Date of REC Opinion
29 Mar 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion