Prosthetic Rehabilitation After Fibular Free Flap Surgery of Mandibular Defects in a Patient With Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Prosthetic rehabilitation of a patient with hemimandibulectomy by a double occlusal table prosthesis

The objective of prosthetic rehabilitation of patients with hemimandibulectomy is to regain the masticatory function, comfort, esthetics, and self-esteem. This article presents a plan for the management of hemimandibulectomy with a removable maxillary double occlusal table prosthesis. A male patient, aged 43 years, was referred to Prosthodontic Out Patient Department with complaints of compromised aesthetics, difficulty in speaking, and lack of ability to chew. The patient underwent surgery 3 years ago in which hemimandibulectomy was performed due to oral squamous cell carcinoma. The patient had a Cantor and Curtis Type II defect. The mandible was resected distally from canine region on the right side of the arch. A prosthodontic device was planned with a double occlusal table, also known as twin occlusion prosthesis. The rehabilitation of hemimandibulectomy patients with a double occlusal table is of considerable importance. This report describes a simple prosthetic device that will help patients in regaining their functional and psychological well-being.

Frequency and type of digital procedures used for the intraoral prosthetic rehabilitation of patients with head and neck cancer: A systematic review

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

In spite of a digital workflow playing an important role in the intraoral prosthetic rehabilitation of patients with head and neck cancer, information about how it has been implemented and its clinical implications is sparse.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the use of a digital workflow in the intraoral prosthetic rehabilitation of patients with head and neck cancer by analyzing the frequency and type of the digital procedures used.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. The following terms were applied for the search conducted in the MEDLINE-PubMed, Cochrane, and SciELO databases: (prosthesis OR dental OR rehabilitation) AND (digital OR CAD-CAM OR intraoral scanner) AND (Cancer OR head neck). Articles that specified data on intraoral prosthetic treatment and analyzed the use of a digital workflow in the different prosthetic phases such as digital scanning and computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) in patients with head and neck cancer were included. Data from the frequency and type of digital procedures were analyzed.

RESULTS

Thirteen articles were included, and all had incorporated CAD-CAM techniques in at least 1 of the prosthetic treatment stages (scanning, design, and/or fabrication). Only 1 patient was rehabilitated by using a completely digital workflow. The most frequent prosthetic treatment was an obturator (82.6%). Regarding the image capture method, the most used method was cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) (60.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

Most reports described the partial use of a digital workflow in the intraoral prosthetic rehabilitation of patients treated for head and neck cancer. A digital workflow is used for specific stages but not for the entire process. More studies are needed to evaluate digital systems, ideally comparing parameters with the conventional method, and to determine whether this technique has more relevant clinical implications.

Implant-assisted removable prosthetic rehabilitation after distraction osteogenesis in a patient with ameloblastoma recurrence: A case report

INTRODUCTION

A resected mandibular edentulous ridge resulting from an ameloblastoma and marginal mandibulectomy is a restorative challenge. To maintain oral hygiene, recurrent examinations, and for long-term maintenance, a removable dental prosthesis is preferred to an implant-supported fixed dental prosthesis.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 28-year-old Asian man was referred for evaluation of a radiolucent area on the right side of the mandible. The right mandibular area had increasingly enlarged over a period of ≥5 months. Marginal resection and inferior alveolar nerve repositioning of the mandible were performed by oral surgeons, followed by reconstruction of the resected mandible with distraction osteogenesis. After 6 years, the patient presented with swelling of the same area.

DIAGNOSIS

Histopathological examination revealed recurrence of benign ameloblastoma in the mandible. After mass excision of the recurrent benign tumor, dental implants were installed. To aid with recurrent examinations and oral hygiene maintenance, a treatment plan using implant-assisted removable dental prosthesis, instead of a fixed prosthesis, was formulated.

INTERVENTIONS

The edentulous area was rehabilitated with a tooth- and implant-assisted removable partial denture. Due to the insufficient intermaxillary clearance, the removable prosthesis was designed in such a manner that retention, support, and stability could be ensured by separate components.

OUTCOMES

The tooth- and implant-assisted removable partial denture showed satisfactory function and esthetics. No complications were observed in the dental prosthesis and supporting tissues during the 3-year follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

In recurrent ameloblastoma cases, a removable dental prosthesis may be an effective treatment option for oral rehabilitation. The type of denture design used in this study is novel for implant-assisted removable partial denture rehabilitation.