Chemotherapy/radiotherapy: effects on dental growth and development

ABSTRACT

Paediatric oncology patients receiving chemoradiation therapy often develop dental developmental anomalies which may affect the future dental care. Chemoradiation therapy may cause tooth and root agenesis, root shortening and thinning and localized enamel defects. These enamel defects histologically appear as niches in the developing dentin which alters the overlying enamel. The odontogenic cell sensitivity depends upon the position in the cell cycle and mitotic activity at the time of chemoradiation therapy. It is, therefore, important for the clinician to have the knowledge of the stages of dental development at the time of oncology treatment. The type of therapy to allow him to predict the eventual dental effects and to plan future dental care