FEATURES OF DENTISTRY ASSISTANCE TO PATIENTS WITH COMPLICATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH RADIATION THERAPY OF OROPHARYNGEAL TUMOURS

This systematic review presents data on pathological changes in teeth and oral tissues following radiation therapy for malignant neoplasms of the maxillofacial region (MFR). eLIBRARY, PubMED, and Scopus were used to analyze and evaluate the literature. Scientific works devoted to the issues of pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, methods of treatment and prevention of complications associated with radiation therapy of malignant neoplasms of the maxillofacial region were studied. The presented generalized results of clinical and experimental studies demonstrate the specific influence of external beam radiation therapy of malignant neoplasms of the maxillofacial region on the features of the manifestation of pathology of teeth and oral tissues, characterized by intensive destruction of teeth and damage to soft tissues in the immediate and late periods after treatment. External beam radiation therapy, the primary treatment for maxillofacial cancer, causes morphological changes in dental and oral tissues. Changes in soft tissue and dental tissue are directly related to radiation therapy for maxillofacial cancer. Currently, there is no consensus among specialists regarding the underlying mechanisms of radiation reactions, their treatment, and prevention methods. Patients with malignant neoplasms exhibit varying degrees of damage to the hard tissues of the teeth and soft tissues of the oral cavity, depending on the location of the radiation exposure. The condition of teeth after remote ɣ-therapy for malignant neoplasms of the maxillofacial region remains poorly understood and requires further research to determine follow-up strategies and the specifics of therapeutic, preventive, and rehabilitative dental procedures.