An alternative donor site for an epithelialized-free soft-tissue autograft.

Typically, epithelialized-free soft-tissue autografts are harvested from the palate, while alternative sites include edentulous ridges and wide zones of gingival tissue. This case report documents the use of the operculum over an erupting molar as an additional harvest site, a technique that may offer certain advantages in younger patients.

Dental implants for patients who have had radiation treatment for head and neck cancer.

Implant therapy is no longer considered impossible for patients who have received radiation treatment. However, the risk of osteoradionecrosis and failed osseointegration are barriers to implant therapy for this population. This paper reviews the published literature on the effects of radiation on tissue, such as osteoradionecrosis, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and evaluates implant therapy in patients who have received radiation treatment, focusing on treatment of the mandible.

Oral complications in cancer chemotherapy, cancer incidence, and mortality in the U.S.

Cancer is the second-leading cause of death in the United States. Patients treated with chemotherapy, especially patients undergoing bone marrow and peripheral stem cell transplants, frequently suffer oral complications. The dentist is responsible for detecting and treating all active and potential sources of oral infection, in addition to providing follow-up care for the patient, in a manner that does not delay the treatment of the cancer.

Oral complications in radiation therapy.

The dentist is integral to managing care for patients with head and neck cancer. Oral complications may manifest during and/or following radiation therapy and can last for the lifetime of the individual. This article reviews a number of these complications as well as the resources available to dentists for managing care of radiation oncology patients and improving their quality of life.