Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the risk factors of radiation-induced caries by using a multiple linear regression equation and to provide the basis for the effective prevention of radioactive caries.
Methods: A total of 166 patients with head and neck cancer who underwent radiotherapy were selected as subjects. The number of decayed, missing or filled surfaces were recorded. Questionnaire contents included age, sex, radiation dose, and radiotherapy techniques. Multiple stepwise regression analyses were performed to identify the risk factors of radiation-induced caries.
Results: Multiple stepwise regression analyses indicated that the main risk factors of radiation-induced caries were plaque index, radiotherapy techniques, time after radiotherapy, and radiotherapy dose.
Conclusions: The awareness of dental care and caries treatment should be improved to reduce the occurrence of radiation-induced caries in patients with head and neck cancer. In addition, intensity modulated radiation therapy should be employed to decrease the radiation exposure dose received by teeth.
目的 通过构建多元线性回归方程探讨放射性龋相关危险因素，为有效预防放射性龋提供依据。方法 收集166例头颈部肿瘤放射治疗后患者，记录其患龋情况（龋失补牙面数）及个人相关信息（包括年龄、性别、放射治疗的方式和剂量等），并进行多元逐步回归分析。结果 放射性龋的危险因素依次为：菌斑指数、放射治疗的方式、放射治疗后时间和放射治疗的剂量。结论 增强头颈部肿瘤患者的口腔卫生保健意识，尽量采用适形调强放射治疗技术，在有效控制肿瘤的情况下尽可能降低头颈部的放射治疗剂量等措施可减少放射性龋的发生。.
Keywords: head and neck cancer; radiation-induced caries; risk factors.