Abstract
Objective: Review the literature on osteoradionecrosis in the head and neck region, emphasizing its pathophysiology, diagnosis and therapeutic modalities. Bibliographic review: Osteoradionecrosis (ORN) is a serious adverse effect of radiotherapy treatment of neoplasms that affect the head and neck region. Overall, ORN negatively affects the quality of life of patients. Therapeutic modalities range from local and/or systemic antibiotic therapy, associated or not, to surgical treatments and regenerative therapies. Although less frequent, low-power laser therapies associated with photodynamic therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy are also used in ORN cases to enhance and accelerate the repair process, restoring tissue physiology, reducing surgical interventions and mutilations. Final considerations: The prevention of osteoradionecrosis is essential to provide quality of life for patients undergoing radiotherapy. The therapy must be thorough and evaluated by all professionals involved in the process. The adequacy of the oral environment and oral surgeries before starting radiotherapy still is the ideal treatment to prevent osteoradionecrosis.