Soft Tissue Management and Prosthetic Rehabilitation in a Tongue Cancer Patient. (11th November 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Romeo, Umberto; Lollobrigida, Marco; Palaia, Gaspare; Laurito, Domenica; Cugnetto, Riccardo; De Biase, Alberto
• Other Names: Chen Y.-K. Academic Editor.; Crespi R. Academic Editor.; Kasaj A. Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Case reports in dentistry. Volume 2013(2013)
• Publication Date: 2013-11-11
• Subjects: Dentistry -- Case studies -- Periodicals; Oral medicine -- Case studies -- Periodicals; Oral Medicine; Dentistry; Dentistry; Oral medicine; Electronic journals; Periodical; Case studies; Periodicals; Case Reports; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; 617.6
• DOI: 10.1155/2013/475186
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2090-6447

Abstract

Abstract : One major challenge in treating head and neck oncologic patients is to achieve an acceptable recovery of physiologic functions compatible with the complete tumor excision. However, after tumor resection, some patients present a surgically altered anatomy incompatible with prosthetic rehabilitation, unless some soft tissue correction is carried out. The aim of the present study is to describe the overall mandibular prosthetic rehabilitation of a postoncologic patient focusing on the possibility of soft tissue correction as a part of the treatment. A 72-year-old woman, who undergone a hemiglossectomy for squamous cell carcinoma several years before, was referred to our department needing a new prosthesis. The patient presented partial mandibular edentulism, defects in tongue mobility, and a bridge of scar tissue connecting one side of the tongue to the alveolar ridge. A diode laser (980 nm) was used to remove the fibrous scar tissue. After reestablishing a proper vestibular depth and soft tissue morphology, two implants were placed in the interforaminal region of the mandible to support an overdenture.