Case report: post-maxillary (mouth) cancer: oro-facial and dental rehabilitation using zygomatic implants to support a bar-retained obturator

Abstract

This case report details the orofacial dental rehabilitation of a 46-year-old man, who had lost significant maxillary bone following a T4N2 oral squamous cell carcinoma. The cancer was treated with surgery and adjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Rehabilitation was based on the placement of four oncology zygomatic implants, which were splinted by a ring-shaped milled titanium bar. This formed the support for a removable obturator, which was retained by precision attachments. The treatment resulted in a large reported improvement in the patient’s quality of life, chewing capacity, speech and appearance. The treatment also allows for long-term mouth cancer surveillance in a young man of this age, as the resection site can be easily visualised on removal of the obturator.