Tooth Extraction and Osteoradionecrosis

To the Editor Lee and colleagues should be commended for investigating whether the timing of tooth extraction (TE) before radiotherapy (RT) is associated with osteoradionecrosis (ORN) in 879 patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). This retrospective cohort study revealed a significant association between ORN and pre-RT TEs performed within 7 days of starting RT. However, because only 16 patients (1.8%) developed ORN, the authors recommended against delaying RT due to TEs. However, we have 2 notable concerns to be addressed.
Source: JAMA Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery - Category: ENT & OMF Source Type: research