Dental management and prosthetic rehabilitation of patients with head and neck cancer

Abstract

Dentistry has a significant supportive role in the management of head and neck cancer. Early preparations for prosthetic rehabilitation of patients who are in need of maxillary resections, and the use of prostheses in patients who have undergone partial mandibulectomies are explained. Patients being treated by radiation for tumors in the head and neck area require particular preventive care and instructions in oral hygiene. Systemic chemotherapy for tumors distant from the head and neck may precipitate severe oral complications. Occurrence and management of these problems are discussed.

Prosthetic Full Mouth Rehabilitation in a Case of Xerostomia following Radiation Therapy for Carcinoma of Esophagus: A Clinical Case Report

“…16 Very few reports exist in literature with respect to oral rehabilitation of postirradiated cancer patients. 3,4,6,[13][14][15] The patient in question was a school teacher by profession and therefore, the ultimate challenge lay not just in complete oral rehabilitation of the patient but also enhancing her morale and confidence levels. Although the treatment plan devised for the patient was not unique in any way, the approach was evidence based and the onus was on achieving an overall remedy rather than attempting to try out something new and failing, causing further distress to an already demoralized patient.…”

Osteosarcoma miatt maxilla- és mandibularezekált páciens komplex maxillo-faciális rehabilitációs protetikai ellátása

“…Egy jól működő, megfelelően kialakított obturátoros protézis hatalmas jelentőséggel bír, hiszen visszaadja, javítja a szájüregi funkciókat ezáltal elfogadhatóvá teszi az életminőséget [1,12,13]. A fogorvos szerepe sokrétű a fej-nyak daganatos (és egyéb daganatos) páciensek kezelésében, a műtétet megelőző előkészítő műveletek, preventív kezelések és szájhigiénés tanácsadások ugyanúgy fontos feladatai a fogorvosnak, mint a re habi li tációs protetikai ellátás [14].…”

Dental Problems Following Surgery and External Radiation Therapy in Patients with Advanced Carcinomas of the Oral Cavity and Oropharynx

“…In addition, when the oral cavity andlor oropharynx are included in the target volume, mucositis, trismus, dysgeusia and periodontal breakdown can occur and predispose to osteoradionecrosis (ORN) (2)(3)(4)(5)(6). Recent studies suggest that many of these problems can be prevented or controlled by good preventive dentistry (7)(8)(9). In this paper we shall review our experience with dental problems in a group of patients with advanced tumors of the oral cavity and oropharynx who were treated by aggressive surgery andlor megavoltage external radiation therapy.…”