EDS statistics.

Radiation-induced caries is a common side effect of radiotherapy for head and neck cancer caused by pulpal hypovascularization and dentin collagen degradation by the direct action of ionizing radiation. A thorough understanding of radiation-induced changes in dental structure can lead to more effective and durable restorative treatments. The objective of this study was to analyze the microstructure and chemical composition of radiation-induced carious dentin (CD) compared with irradiated (ID) and sound dentin (SD) by using analytical techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Specimens of CD and ID were obtained from patients who had undergone radiotherapy. SD that had not been irradiated was used as a control group. The specimens were sectioned, fixated, and dehydrated according to each type of analysis and equipment. The SEM analysis revealed varying degrees of microstructural degradation in both CD and ID groups. The EDS analysis showed higher levels of carbon in both ID and CD (p