Effect of 70 Gy tumor therapeutic radiation applied intermittently or directly on microcosm biofilm composition and dental hard tissues and its potential to cause dental caries.

Objectives: This study compared total (70 Gy, one session) and intermittent (35 sessions of 2 Gy) tumor radiation protocols on tooth morphology (n=5) using Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) and on microcosm biofilm microbiota (n=12) through colony-forming unit (CFU) counts for Candida spp., total microorganisms, Streptococcus mutans, and total lactobacillus. It also assessed "radiation caries" development via Transverse Microradiography (TMR, n=12).