Combination of Neutral Zone and Flange Techniques during Fabrication of Complete Dentures for a segmental Mandibulectomy patient with restricted Mouth Opening

Abstract

Oral malignancies originating from or secondarily involving mandible are usually treated by surgical excision and may result in mandibular defect with or without loss of continuity. Surgical resection may lead to loss of buccal and lingual sulci, loss of symmetry of mandibular function, altered mandibular movements and deviation of the residual fragment toward the resected side. Radiation therapy is often given after resection of malignant tumors, which may produce undesirable side effects, like mucositis and mucosal atrophy, trismus, increased susceptibility to irritation and ulceration and reduction in salivary flow. This overall change in anatomy and physiology of oral cavity after segmental mandibular resection presents a restorative challange. This clinical report presents fabrication of complete dentures for a patient who had undergone segmental mandibulectomy and had restricted mouth opening.