Intraoral and facial rehabilitation retained with zygomatic implants and magnets after complete resection of the maxilla, lip and nose: A clinical report

Abstract

Prosthetic rehabilitation is an option available for patients with extensive maxillofacial defects with the ability to restore esthetics and function. The surgical procedure can result in anatomical and functional sequelae leading to functional, psychological and aesthetic disorders. This clinical case report describes the unique and highly-specialized fabrication method of an oral and facial prosthesis for a patient with a near total maxillectomy, excision of upper lip, rhinectomy and radiotherapy for treatment of an extensive malignant neoplasm. Four carefully placed zygomatic implants were used to retain an oral obturator and an external mid-facial prosthesis. A well-functioning maxillofacial prosthesis is essential for improving quality of life, psychological adjustment to cancer and cancer related disabilities, and a positive coping response. The prosthetic rehabilitation allowed the patient's reintegration into society accompanying the satisfactory restoration of aesthetics, phonetics, mastication, and deglutition. Key words:Maxillectomy, rhinectomy, maxillofacial prosthesis, zygomatic implants, head and neck neoplasm.