Osteoradionecrosis, Oral Health and Dental Treatment (Free Course‪)‬

Introduction Osteoradionecrosis (ORN), also known as postradiation osteonecrosis (PRON), is a serious, debilitating and deforming potential complication of radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer of the head and neck. It has been defined as a necrosis or death of the bone of the mandible or maxilla that may occur following radiation therapy for cancer in the oral and perioral region. It is known to occur when bone, in this case the mandible and/or maxilla, are directly in the field of radiation. The reported incidence ranges from 2.6% to 22% but most commonly considered to be around 10% +/- 5%. Although it usually occurs in the mandible (lower jaw) it can occur in the upper jaw and it can occur following brachytherapy (radiation implants).