Evaluation of an interocclusal acrylic block for prevention of post radiation trismus | ||||
| Egyptian Dental Journal | ||||
| Article 6, Volume 67, Issue 1 - January (Oral Surgery) - Serial Number 2, January 2021, Page 203-209 PDF (499.51 K) | ||||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/edj.2020.42383.1267 | ||||
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| Authors | ||||
Hesham Abdel Motaleb  1; Mostafa El-Gengehi2; Ehab Khalil3; Emad Saeed Helmy2
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| 1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Nasser Institute for Research and Treatment | ||||
| 2Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University | ||||
| 3Departement of Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of an interocclusal acrylic bite block as a preventative and conservative tool to prevent or minimize post radiation trismus in an effort to improve the quality of life of irradiated patients. Patients and Methods: Twenty patients with confirmed newly diagnosed head and neck cancer planned for radiation therapy, were selected. A custom-made inter occlusal acrylic splint was fabricated for each patient before radiation therapy started. Physiotherapy - using the acrylic block and assisted range of motion exercises - were instructed for the patients during the first 12 months following end of radiation therapy. Maximum interincisal openings were recorded prior to initiation of radiation therapy and then readings were taken monthly after completion of radiation therapy for 12 months. Results: All patients except one have shown decrease in inter incisal openings. The decrease was statistically insignificant and non-of the patients included in this study exhibited trismus. Conclusion: In this observational study the use of the inter occlusal acrylic block has shown promise in preventing post radiation trismus in addition to being cost effective. Further studies with more standardization and randomization are required to further prove the efficacy of this method. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| Radiotherapy; Trismus; Physiotherapy | ||||
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