Complete occlusal rehabilitation of patient with radiation caries - a case report

One of the most distressing and dramatic causes of xerostomia is radiotherapy for the cure of maxillofacial and neck carcinomas. Patient with radiotherapy induced xerostomia presents with challenges in prosthodontic management and in unique radiation caries control. This clinical report illustrates step by step execution of complex treatment planning that lead to successful outcome in 34-year-old man, who had been treated with Radical Neck Dissection (RND) and therapeutic radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of tongue and due to radiation caries, was presented with chief complaint of difficulty in mastication. Rehabilitation was carried out with metal-ceramic fixed restorations and cast removable prostheses after extensive endodontic intervention. This article also discusses the maintenance strategies for radiation caries patient requiring complete occlusal reconstruction, who certainly presents with special needs in post-treatment management.