Biological Effects of Radiation
Teeth

Radiotherapy to the head and neck area may significantly affect the developing dentition as a function of a tooth’s developmental stage and the absorbed dose.¹³ Maturing ameloblasts may be permanently damaged with as little as 10 Gy and ameloblastic activity ceases after exposure to 30 Gy.¹³ Radiation-induced defects may include partial or complete anodontia, tooth dwarfism, incomplete root development, premature closure of apices, and localized enamel defects.¹³