Review of the literature on hyperbaric oxygen therapy and dental implants in cervicofacial irradiation patients

The rise of implantology has led to a major advance in prosthetic rehabilitation, bringing considerable comfort and satisfaction to patients. However, certain local situations can make osseointegration of implants more difficult. Patients who have undergone radiotherapy following cancer of the upper aerodigestive tract, with or without associated surgery, find themselves in more complex rehabilitation situations, given the altered nature of the maxillo-mandibular bones and adjoining tissues that support and guarantee the implant's longevity. In response to this difficulty, hyperbaric oxygen therapy was used more widely in the 1980's, with numerous publications on the subject offering a viable therapeutic prospect for patients. Although certain studies and authors have put forward their definite interest in HBOT, the conclusions are not unanimous, and many other publications find no interest in this approach. On both sides, the low robustness of the studies means that no definitive conclusions can yet be drawn as to the real benefit of HBOT. However, it is reassuring to note that technological developments in radiotherapy, the contribution of guided implantology, improved soft tissue management, an optimized approach to prosthetic occlusion and research into biomaterials continue to improve patients' chances of success