Prosthodontic rehabilitation for glossectomy patients

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Prosthodontics
• Reconstructive Surgery

Background:

• Oral carcinomas often necessitate surgical resection of oral structures, including the tongue, floor of the mouth, or mandible.
• Post-surgical deficits commonly include impaired chewing, swallowing, and speech.
• These functional impairments significantly impact patients' quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the role of oral prosthetic rehabilitation in addressing functional deficits following oral cancer surgery.
• To describe the types of prostheses used for different surgical extents (e.g., total vs. partial glossectomy).

Main Methods:

• Review of prosthetic management strategies for patients with oral resections.
• Description of specific prosthesis designs, such as "snap-on" tongue prostheses and palatal augmentation prostheses.
• Discussion of framework requirements (mandibular vs. maxillary) based on glossectomy extent.

Main Results:

• Prosthetic management can significantly improve articulation and resonance.
• Oral prostheses aid in directing food towards the esophagus, protecting tissues.
• Rehabilitation enhances patients' appearance, potentially improving socialization.

Conclusions:

• Prosthetic rehabilitation is a crucial component of oral cancer patient care.
• Tailored prosthetic designs can effectively restore function and improve quality of life.
• Oral prostheses offer a viable solution for managing post-surgical challenges in oral carcinoma patients.