[A therapeutic approach using dental implants in an irradiated area. The experiences of the René Huguenin Center]

A therapeutic trial was conducted with six patients who were in remission after cancer therapy for at least two years. Twenty-four implants were performed in irradiated maxillary bone after local and general paraimplantation preparation using adjuvant hyperbaric oxygenotherapy. All implants integrated the bone within a minimal delay of nine months. All patients were fitted with a removable dental prosthesis which was anchored magnetically or with implant conjunction bars. Despite the limited number of implants and the short observation period, the results have been promising, in agreement with previous reports. These findings emphasize the importance of adjuvant hyperbaric oxygenotherapy and the need for good conditions in paraimplantation tissue. Although this technique demonstrates that dental implantation in irradiated tissue is possible, the risk of secondary failure has not been determined. In strictly selected cancer patients with reasonably healthy irradiated tissue, implantation can be proposed by a fully multidisciplinary team of specialists.