[Revisiting the dose-effect correlations in irradiated head and neck cancer using automatic segmentation tools of the dental structures, mandible and maxilla]. / Dentalmaps : un outil pratique pour chirurgiens dentistes et radiothérapeutes pour l'estimation de la dose reçue aux dents, mandibule et maxillaire et du risque de complications postradiques en cas de soins dentaires.

PURPOSE: Manual delineation of dental structures is too time-consuming to be feasible in routine practice. Information on dose risk levels is crucial for dentists following irradiation of the head and neck to avoid postextraction osteoradionecrosis based on empirical dose-effects data established on bidimensional radiation therapy plans. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We present an automatic atlas-based segmentation framework of the dental structures, called Dentalmaps, constructed from a patient image-segmentation database. RESULTS: This framework is accurate (within 2 Gy accuracy) and relevant for the routine use. It has the potential to guide dental care in the context of new irradiation techniques. CONCLUSION: This tool provides a user-friendly interface for dentists and radiation oncologists in the context of irradiated head and neck cancer patients. It will likely improve the knowledge of dose-effect correlations for dental complications and osteoradionecrosis.