Assistant Professor University of Maryland Medical Center Baltimore, Maryland
The management of oral cancer with surgical intervention and radiation forever changes the oral environment and introduces an extremely challenging prosthetic bearing environment. The change in tissues, salivary flow, bacterial growth and blood supply increases the risks of implant placement and even the type of prosthetic restoration. This course will review the changes in the oral environment post-radiation, the outcomes of both fixed and removable implant supported prostheses, the difficulty in resorting and the importance of proper and strict follow-up.
Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this presentation, participants should be able to:
Identify the changes induced by head and neck radiation and their effect on prosthetic reconstruction.
Explain the importance of proper soft-tissue management and follow-up to avoid osteoradionecrosis and ultimately failure of the surgical reconstruction.
Analyze the limitations and benefits of the different prosthodontic restorations.
Describe the importance of the proper maxillofacial prosthodontic clinician for management of the radiated head and neck cancer patient.