Ak Panders

Protocol for the Prevention and Treatment of Oral Sequelae Resulting from Head and Neck Radiation Therapy

In addition to the desired antitumor effects, head and neck radiation therapy induces damage in normal tissues that may result in oral sequelae such as mucositis, hypo‐salivation, radiation caries, taste loss, trismus, soft‐tissue necrosis, and osteoradionecrosis. These sequelae may be dose‐limiting and have a tremendous effect on the patients quality of life, Current policies to prevent these sequelae primarily are based on clinical experience and show great diversity. A protocol for the prevention and treatment of oral sequelae resulting from head and neck radiation therapy, based on fundamental research and data derived from the literature, is presented. The protocol is particularly applicable in centers with a dental team. This team should be involved at the time of initial diagnosis so that a successful preventive regimen is an integral part of the overall cancer treatment regimen.

REHARDENING PROPERTIES OF MUCIN-CONTAINING OR CMC-CONTAINING SALIVA SUBSTITUTES ON SOFTENED HUMAN-ENAMEL - EFFECTS OF SORBITOL, XYLITOL AND INCREASING VISCOSITY

The rehardening of artificially softened human enamel by nine different saliva substitutes and four control solutions in vitro has been investigated by microhardness measurements. The saliva substitutes were all based on the same formula, containing mucins or carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) as the main macromolecules, and phosphate, calcium and fluoride as the main electrolytes, and sorbitol or xylitol. All the saliva substitutes had a rehardening potential. The largest reduction of the rehardening potential was observed after addition of high concentrations of CMC or mucins and the addition of sorbitol. The best rehardening properties were observed for low viscous mucin- or CMC-containing saliva substitutes with xylitol.