A bar and ball attachment prosthesis over osseointegrated implants post mandibular resection

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Prosthodontics
• Dental Implantology

Background:

• Mandibular resection presents significant functional, esthetic, and psychological challenges.
• Edentulism exacerbates chewing difficulties and mandibular deviation post-resection.
• Surgical reconstruction may not always be feasible for mandibular rehabilitation.

Observation:

• A case report details the rehabilitation of an edentulous patient with a resected mandible.
• The primary goals were to limit deviation and provide a stable, retentive prosthesis.
• Two anterior implants splinted with a bar and clip superstructure were used.

Findings:

• The splinted implant superstructure provided retention and support for the mandibular prosthesis.
• An additional posterior implant created a tripod configuration for enhanced stability.
• Prosthetic movement was significantly limited, improving function.

Implications:

• This approach offers an alternative rehabilitation strategy for edentulous mandibles post-resection.
• It provides a stable and retentive solution when surgical reconstruction is not an option.
• The technique can improve the quality of life for patients with complex mandibular defects.