Important Considerations for Dental Safety to Prevent Osteoradionecrosis of the Jaws

SUMMARY Patients undergoing radiotherapy for malignancies in the head-and-neck region are prone to experiencing a range of dental complications. Osteoradionecrosis of the jaw (ORNJ) is a noteworthy complication that occurs infrequently but carries substantial significance, as evidenced by reported occurrence rates ranging from 2% to 22%. ORNJ is distinguished by bone necrosis and the inability to heal properly for at least 3 months. In the majority of cases, ORNJ typically demonstrates a gradual progression characterized by the subsequent development of infections, intra-or extra-oral fistulas, and bone necrosis with or without pathological fractures. There exists a multitude of risk factors that have been postulated to be associated with ORNJ. The literature extensively documents the influence of dental interventions on the progression of ORNJ; however, it continues to be a topic of continuing multidisciplinary debate. Establishing multidisciplinary collaborations that organize data and develop guidelines will be valuable for healthcare professionals operating in this specialized and relatively unfamiliar field. Therefore, this review has identified eleven key facts about dental safety precautions to prevent ORNJ and is prepared to give a clear and concise message to reduce the current uncertainty to provide recommendations, explanations, and measures.