MANDIBULAR DEFECTS AND THEIR TREATMENT: AN OVERVIEW

*Dr. Kanika Kaushik, Dr Rachna Maheshwari and Dr. Samarth Kumar Agarwal, Dr. Romil Singhal, Dr. Reena Mittal and Dr. Kanchan Chaukiyal

ABSTRACT

Mandible is one of the most important anatomical structure responsible for various function and aesthetics in head and neck region. A patient with mandibular resection can present with mild to severe disfigurement of face along with numerous and unpredictable functional inculpabilities. Problems associated with the treatment of mandibulectomy patient depends on many factors like size of the defect, location in the arch and the contiguous structures lost. Determining an appropriate treatment plan along with predicting prognosis is most challenging in these patients. In recent years, reconstructive surgery has greatly enhanced the prosthetic success and improved of quality of life of such patients. Successful prosthodontic rehabilitation involves understanding of the altered mandibular function and the possible treatment options available to address individual patient requirements. The following paper provides an overview of challenges and treatment following mandibular resective surgery.

Keywords: Mandibular resection, mandibular deviation, rehabilitation, mandibular guidance therapy, classification.