Expanding implant indications in patients treated with radiotherapy thanks to advances in irradiation techniques

The adverse effects of external radiotherapy treatment for head and neck cancer are manifold. In addition, resective surgery results in loss of substance, disrupting masticatory and aesthetic functions, with considerable psychosocial and functional impact. These diverse consequences make prosthetic rehabilitation in these patients more complex. Although dental implants offer an effective rehabilitation solution for many people, the question of osseointegration in irradiated bone calls for caution. There have been major advances in irradiation techniques, aimed at improving tumor management and preserving surrounding tissue. The aim of this thesis is therefore to determine the real impact of radiotherapy on osseointegration, thanks in particular to the recent techniques used, and on the survival of dental implants in these patients. (author)