Prosthetic management for edentulous glossectomy patients

Area of Science:

• Prosthodontics
• Oral Rehabilitation
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Prosthetic treatment for edentulous patients with glossectomy (tongue removal) presents significant challenges.
• Tongue defects lead to oral dysfunction and compromise the stability of mandibular dentures.
• Existing prosthetic solutions often struggle to restore adequate oral function and denture stability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate a modified functional impression technique for improved prosthetic treatment in edentulous glossectomy patients.
• To determine optimal denture design parameters for enhanced oral function and mandibular denture stability.
• To evaluate the efficacy of specific denture features in preventing food spillage and improving mastication.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a modified functional impression technique to fabricate dentures.
• Employed X-ray television and an image-processing system for clinical evaluations.
• Analyzed denture form, occlusal table height, and tongue-denture flange interaction.

Main Results:

• The modified impression technique facilitated the establishment of appropriate denture form and occlusion.
• A wide buccolingual table and occlusal table height matched to the tongue body were effective.
• Close adherence between the tongue and the lingual flange successfully prevented food dropping and aided in food crushing.

Conclusions:

• The modified functional impression technique is a viable approach for prosthetic rehabilitation of edentulous glossectomy patients.
• Specific denture design features, including a wide buccolingual table and optimized occlusal height, enhance oral function.
• This technique improves denture stability, food management, and masticatory efficiency in patients with tongue defects.