Direct method for construction of prosthetic bite opening and positioning stents for head and neck tumor radiotherapy

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Radiotherapy for head and neck tumors causes a series of adverse effects. Some effects are temporary, such as oral mucositis and taste disorders, and others are permanent, such as xerostomia and increased risk for dental caries and osteoradionecrosis. One way to diminish radiotherapy’s adverse effects is to decrease the radiation dose on healthy tissues outside the tumor area through more precise radiotherapy techniques, such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), which depends on positioners and stabilizers to the anatomic structures.CASE REPORT: This paper presents direct construction technique examples of mouth openers and positioning stents for tongue and mandible, which allow distance from the radiation field for healthy organs as well the precise stabilization required for the IMRT technique.CONCLUSION: The clinical cases shown in the present paper also illustrate that the intra-oral devices for stabilization of the dental arches and tongue are effective in reducing unnecessary radiation on healthy organs.