Dental prosthetic reconstruction of osseointegrated implants placed in irradiated bone

Nineteen patients who were treated for oncologic pathology by surgery and radiotherapy (average dose = 57 Gy) received prosthetic reconstruction with 53 implants placed in the residual mandible or maxilla and/or replacement bone graft. Implants were placed within a minimum period of 5 months after radiotherapy. The healing period before placement of the prosthesis also was at least 5 months. Two to six implants were placed as a function of tooth loss and required prosthetic design. Prostheses included both removable and fixed restorations. Two implants were lost as a result of osseointegration failure. Fifteen implants in six patients could not be followed throughout the study because of patient expiration. Patients were followed up to 68 months and for an average of 38 months. No osteoradionecrosis phenomenon was seen in this study. However, caution is urged in placing implants in irradiated bone because of the potential for osteoradionecrosis. Patients should be carefully selected and a strict therapeutic protocol should be followed.