Implant-Supported Prosthetic Rehabilitation of a Patient With Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Case Report

Patients who have undergone maxillary resection procedures are rehabilitated with dental obturators or microvascular reconstruction. This case report describes implant-supported prosthetic rehabilitation of a patient who underwent maxillary resection because of squamous cell carcinoma. After maxillectomy surgery, the patient was rehabilitated using a surgical obturator for 1 week, followed by an interim obturator until the surgical field was completely healed. For definitive prosthesis, different treatment options were presented from which the patient selected an implant-supported maxillofacial prosthesis and a removable mandibular partial prosthesis. Under general anesthesia, 2 zygomatic implants and 4 conventional implants to the posterior maxilla were inserted. After a healing period, the bar-retained maxillofacial prosthesis and removable mandibular partial denture were fabricated. The patient was satisfied regarding function, esthetics, speech, and swallowing. No problems, except slight discoloration of the prosthesis, were noted at the 6-month follow-up. Implant-supported maxillofacial prostheses are a valuable treatment option to improve quality of life after maxillary resection.