title: Prosthetic management of a total glossectomy defect after free flap reconstruction in an edentulous patient: a clinical report.
abstract: Total glossectomy with surgical reconstruction can result in a significantly altered mandibular arch anatomy. In edentulous patients, lingual vestibules along with the mandibular alveolar ridge can be obliterated. With the absence of lower anterior dentition, support of the lower lip is lost and traction from surgical closure can cause the lower lip to collapse into the oral cavity. This report describes the prosthetic treatment of an edentulous total glossectomy patient with an unconventional custom impression procedure to develop and record proper lower lip and cheek support. It also discusses some issues involved in the prosthetic management of the total glossectomy patient.
authors.affiliation: Maxillofacial Preosthetics Tertiary Care Center, Department of Prosthetics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78229-3900, USA. pigno@uthscsa.edu
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Pigno
authors.forename: Jeff J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Funk
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003827:Denture, Complete, Upper; D005927:Glossectomy / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008341:Mandibular Prosthesis; D008875:Middle Aged; D009066:Mouth, Edentulous / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000637:transplantation; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D013065:Speech Intelligibility; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery