Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - National Institute of Laser Enhanced Sciences - Department of Laser Applications in Medical Biological

Radiotherapy is a common therapeutic modality for malignancies of head and neck, where new advances in radiation oncology served to enhance outlook for patients and give more effective treatment. With the development of new technologies, radiotherapy appears to be promising in patients with head and neck malignancies these advancements include: Three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy, altered fractionation, Image Guided Radiotherapy, Charged-particle radiotherapy, Stereotactic radiation, Intensity-modulated radiotherapy and Intra-operative radiotherapy. However, Radiotherapy is usually associated with some possible complications such as radiation caries, xerostomia, osteoradionecrosis, loss of taste and trismus. The Er, Cr: YSGG laser was recommended for this study as it exhibits the highest absorption of all infrared lasers in water and hydroxyl-apatite, and is thus ideally suited for optical drilling in enamel, dentin and composite fillings. Moreover, Laser was too much recommended by many patients being less painful and in some times painless, selective in carious removal and more conservative in cavity preparation

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