radiation caries

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ra·di·a·tion car·ies

caries of the cervical regions of the teeth, incisal edges, and cusp tips secondary to xerostomia induced by radiation therapy to the head and neck.

radiation caries

tooth decay triggered by exposure of the head to ionizing radiation. It especially affects the cementoenamel junction and the coronal root area. Radiation makes the teeth more susceptible to caries by decreasing salivation, reducing the vitality of dental tissues, and altering oral bacteria. Radiation caries is often a side effect of radiation therapy for oral malignancies. See also dental caries.

ra·di·a·tion car·ies

(rā'dē-ā'shŭn kar'ēz)

Decay of the cervical regions of the teeth, incisal edges, and cusp tips due to decreased saliva production (xerostomia) induced by radiation therapy to the head and neck.

ra·di·a·tion car·ies

(rā'dē-ā'shŭn kar'ēz)

Caries of cervical regions of teeth, incisal edges, and cusp tips due to xerostomia induced by radiation therapy.

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References in periodicals archive ?

Other factors have also been demonstrated to be important to the mechanical strength of enamel and dentine and so may eventually impact the likelihood of a patient developing radiation caries.

These results suggest that for the radiation caries problem, doctors should be aware of their patient's stage of radiotherapy and offer them very specific, targeted advice to protect their teeth.

New evidence for the etiology of so-called radiation caries.

Effect of high energy X-ray irradiation on the nano-mechanical properties of human enamel and dentine