Reconstructive Techniques for the Repair of Oral and Maxillofacial Oncological Procedures: What are they,How do they Work and What do they Look Like?

BACKGROUND: There are many different ways to reconstruct the oral and maxillofacial region post tumour ablation. In the past, the resection of oral tumours had been associated with significant disfigurement and loss of function. Modern techniques aim to restore function and improve cosmetics. This paper aims to describe the techniques used in patients treated at the Austin and Repatriation Medical Centre and to answer the more common questions associated with reconstructive techniques. METHODS: A review of techniques of oral reconstruction used by our unit over the last nine years and a review of the literature. RESULTS: Various techniques of reconstruction gained from our experience in treating patients with oral cancer are documented. There are a variety of techniques including grafts, local flaps, regional flaps and free vascularized flaps. Metallic implants such as osseointegrated dental implants may also be used for dental rehabilitation. CONCLUSIONS: There are many different methods of reconstruction in patients who have had resection for oral tumours. It is important for general dental practitioners who may be involved with the care of such patients to have an understanding of the modern techniques of reconstruction that may be used.     

Rehabilitation after mandibular reconstruction with fibula free-flap: clinical outcome and quality of life assessment

Tumors (benign or malignant), osteoradionecrosis or osteomyelitis sometimes lead to large segmental resections of the mandible. Osteo(cutaneous) fibula free-flaps (OFFF) are used to reconstruct these defects. New anatomical relationships as well as possible irradiation of local tissues make dental rehabilitation complicated. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of dental rehabilitation with an implant-retained lower denture or fixed appliances, after segmental resection and reconstruction of the mandible with an OFFF. Data were obtained from 70 patients, who underwent segmental mandibular resection followed by reconstruction with an OFFF, from 1995 to 2005. Dental rehabilitation was defined as a patient, who after segmental mandibular resection and reconstruction with an OFFF, received an implant-retained lower denture or fixed appliances. Clinical and functional assessments, as well as quality of life and denture satisfaction were evaluated. Twenty-four of 70 patients received dental implants; 18 received complete dental rehabilitation. Only a small percentage of patients with segmental mandibular reconstructions with an OFFF received complete dental rehabilitation, mainly because of poor survival after treatment for malignant tumors of the oral cavity. The beneficial effects of dental rehabilitation with an implant-retained denture or fixed appliances, mainly favored cosmetic aspects, rather than oral function.     

Microstructured dental implants and palatal mucosal grafts in cleft patients: a retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: In cleft patients, implant dentistry has become an integral part of oral rehabilitation. However, a lack of keratinized mucosa is found in many cases which may have adverse effects on the long-term success of dental implants with microstructured surfaces. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate whether mucogingival surgery is of value in the treatment of these patients. PATIENTS: Between 1991 and 2002, a total of 35 microstructured dental implants were inserted in 32 cleft patients. In 18 patients, vestibular scars extended to the rim of the marginal mucosa of the implants and the gingiva of the adjacent teeth. To enhance the soft tissue condition, mucogingival surgery was performed using palatal mucosal grafts. METHODS: In May 2002, 29 implants and 16 mucosal grafts were evaluated. Assessment included radiological and clinical parameters. RESULTS: Three implants were lost. Most mucosal grafts showed shrinkage of up to 30%. Clinical and radiological parameters, however, showed results that were very similar to those from non-cleft patients. CONCLUSION: These results support the hypothesis that keratinized mucosal grafts show long-term success in the cleft region as well. Moreover, it may be concluded that a combination of dental implants with a rough surface and palatal mucosal grafts can be recommended for oral rehabilitation of cleft patients.     

Histologic evidence of osseointegration in the irradiated and reconstructed mandible: a case report

Osseointegrated implants are widely used in dental rehabilitation. They are particularly valuable if the structures supporting a denture had to be removed because of oral cancer. Additionally, many of these patients undergo radiotherapy, but cancer and radiotherapy are seen as relative contraindications for implant therapy. In the literature, there are few clinical studies documenting successful oral rehabilitation using implants in such patients. The authors report a clinical case in which histologic evidence of osseointegration can be demonstrated in an irradiated and reconstructed mandible. This observation should encourage the extended application of implants in rehabilitation following oral cancer surgery.     

Immediate implant loading: a case report

The therapeutic goal of implant dentistry is not merely tooth replacement but total oral rehabilitation. Considering dental implants as a treatment option can provide patients with positive, long-term results. Implants have developed into a viable alternative to conventional prosthetic reconstruction of edentulous areas. They provide excellent support for fixed or fixed detachable appliances, which increases function compared with conventional complete dentures. Implant dentistry has gone through many phases over the years. Modern technology and design allows us to predictably place our dental implants in immediate extraction sites and often load the implants at the time of placement. Single tooth-by-tooth reconstruction provides easy access for the patient to floss and clean the areas compared with the relative difficulty in maintenance when crowns are splinted. This case study demonstrates full maxillary and partial mandibular reconstruction using dental implants. The implants were surgically placed immediately after extractions and loaded using a stable roundhouse composite temporary bridge. Following osseointegration, the implants were permanently restored with individual crowns.     

Rehabilitation with dental implants of oral cancer patients.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the risks and complications of rehabilitation with dental implants after tumour surgery and radiotherapy. After a disease-free survival of 18 months, 29 patients who had undergone oral cancer treatment were rehabilitated with dental implants. The complication rate of implants in irradiated, non-irradiated and grafted bone was analyzed at least 3 years after implant placement. In the healing period, 28.6% of the implants in irradiated bone and 8.4% in non-irradiated bone showed soft tissue complications. Of the implants, 26.7% in the irradiated and 14.7% in the non-irradiated mandibular bone were lost in the first 36 months after placement. Thirty-one point two percent of implants inserted in non-irradiated bone grafts were affected and did not osseointegrate. Of 109 inserted implants, 70 were suitable for prosthetic rehabilitation. There are high complication rates after implant placement in oral cancer patients. Irradiation adversely affects soft tissue healing. Osseointegration is frequently disturbed, especially when implants were placed in non-vascularized bone grafts.     

Oral rehabilitation with dental implants in oligodontia patients

PURPOSE: The aim of this retrospective report was to evaluate the treatment outcome of oral rehabilitation with dental implants in oligodontia patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirteen oligodontia patients treated with dental implants were examined clinically and radiographically (follow-up 3 +/- 2 years, range 1 to 8 years). In addition, patient-mediated concerns of satisfaction, treatment experience, and level of impairment of oral functions were assessed with questionnaires. RESULTS: In general, all patients were satisfied with the implant treatment and experienced the treatment as nonaggravating. There was significant functional improvement, with an implant survival rate of 86% and 96% for the maxilla and mandible, respectively. CONCLUSION: Dental implants can play an important role in the oral rehabilitation of patients with oligodontia. Patients were generally satisfied with the overall treatment experience and reported significant functional improvement. Implant survival rate was comparable with previous reports.     

Maxillary Rehabilitation Using a Removable Partial Denture with Attachments in a Cleft Lip and Palate Patient: A Clinical Report

Clefts of the lip and/or palate (CLP) are oral‐facial defects that affect health and overall quality of life. CLP patients often need multidisciplinary treatment to restore oral function and esthetics. This paper describes the oral rehabilitation of a CLP adult patient who had maxillary bone and tooth loss, resulting in decreased occlusal vertical dimension. Functional and cosmetic rehabilitation was achieved using a maxillary removable partial denture (RPD) attached to telescopic crowns. Attachment‐retained RPDs may be a cost‐effective alternative for oral rehabilitation in challenging cases with substantial loss of oral tissues, especially when treatment with fixed dental prostheses and/or dental implants is not possible.     

Use of dental implants in patients with Down syndrome: a case report

Down syndrome is caused by trisomy of the 21st chromosome and is associated with well-described physical and systemic problems. Most people with Down syndrome have some degree of mental retardation as well as malformation of head and neck. Oral structures that are commonly affected include the tongue (microglossia), abnormalities in the number and shape of teeth, and poor quality (osteoporotic-like) of alveolar bone and jaw. These oral malformations as well as a tendency toward poor cooperation in the dental office contribute to the belief among dentists that people with Down syndrome are not good candidates for oral rehabilitation with dental implants. This article describes the use of dental implants in the oral rehabilitation of a 16-year-old boy with Down syndrome. Although more experience is needed before dental implants can be considered a suitable option during oral rehabilitation in people with Down syndrome, this case report shows a promising beginning.     

Simultaneous Le Fort I osteotomy and zygomatic implant placement

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the outcomes of simultaneous LeFort I osteotomy and zygomatic/dental implant placement for oral rehabilitation of patients with extremely atrophic/dysmorphic edentulous maxilla.Simultaneous LeFort I osteotomy and zygomatic/dental implant placement was performed with patient-specific anatomical models and surgical guides produced through three-dimensional virtual planning methods. All patients received their final prosthesis, with immediate loading, on the day after surgery. The primary outcome variables were the implant survival rate, and the incidence of intra/postoperative complications. In total, 15 zygomatic implants and 33 conventional dental implants were inserted in eight patients. The mean follow-up of the patients was 38.5 months. The implant survival rate was 93.3% for zygomatic implants and 100% for dental implants. No intra/postoperative complications were observed.Simultaneous LeFort I osteotomy associated with zygomatic/dental implant surgery can be considered as a valuable treatment option for rehabilitation of patients with extremely atrophic edentulous maxilla and esthetic issues of the face.     

Ⅱ型糖尿病患者人工牙种植疗效的近期观察

目的:观察II型糖尿病患者行人工牙种植的临床疗效。方法:对21例局部牙缺失、糖尿病病情在一般控制情况以上的II型糖尿病病例,共植入52颗种植体。结果:随访12～37个月,5颗种植体失败,成功率90.4%。结论:在糖尿病病情得到良好控制的情况下,II型糖尿病患者行人工牙种植短期效果良好,长期效果有待观察。     

Primary oral squamous cell carcinoma arising around dental osseointegrated implants mimicking peri-implantitis

Prosthodontic rehabilitation using dental implants has become a common practice in dentistry at the present time. The number of complications related to dental osseointegrated implants has increased according to the generalization of its use along the last decade. Among the most common of these complications are chronic inflammatory conditions affecting both hard and soft tissues around dental implants. Although severe complications are uncommon, in recent years several cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma adjacent to dental implants have been published. In this paper we present a new unusual case of primary oral squamous cell carcinoma arising around a dental fixed prosthesis over osseointegrated implants in a 76 male patient with no previous history of malignance and no risk factors related to oral cancer.     

Longevity of dental implants in type IV bone: a systematic review

Bone quality and quantity are important factors with regard to the survival rate of dental implants. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of dental implants inserted in low-density bone and to determine the survival rate of dental implants with surface treatments over time. A systematic review of the literature was undertaken by two independent individuals; the Medline/PubMed database was searched for the period July 1975 to March 2013. Relevant reports on bone quality and osseointegration of dental implants were selected. The search retrieved 1018 references, and after inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, 19 studies were selected for review. A total of 3937 patients, who had received a total of 12,465 dental implants, were analyzed. The survival rates of dental implants according to the bone density were: type I, 97.6%; type II, 96.2%; type III, 96.5%; and type IV, 88.8%. The survival rate of treated surface implants inserted in low-density bone was higher (97.1%) than that of machined surface implants (91.6%). Surface-treated dental implants inserted in low-density bone have a high survival rate and may be indicated for oral rehabilitation. However, more randomized studies are required to better evaluate this issue.     

Systematic review of primary osseointegrated dental implants in head and neck oncology

The aim of this paper is to provide a systematic review of articles concerning primary osseointegrated dental implants in the head and neck oncology setting. We searched MEDLINE (1950 to March 2009) and Embase (1980 to March 2009) using the terms head and neck, oral, maxillofacial, craniofacial, jaws, mandible, maxilla, zygoma, dental implants, osseointegrated implants, implants, tumour, cancer, oncology, immediate, simultaneous, and primary. Two authors independently reviewed the abstracts, and all those written in the English language that referred to the placement of primary dental implants in patients with cancer of the head neck were included. Articles that referred to craniofacial or extraoral implants were excluded. Of 892 abstracts 83 were eligible for further consideration; the full articles were evaluated, and 41 that complied fully with the inclusion criteria are presented as a tabulated summary. There are three case reports, 13 reviews, and 25 clinical studies. Eight of the clinical studies refer solely to the insertion of dental implants at the time of primary oncological resection, and only two were of a prospective design. We have concisely summarised publications concerning primary dental implants, and our findings will help to inform head and neck cancer teams, particularly oncological surgeons, restorative dentists, and maxillofacial prosthodontists of the evidence base surrounding this approach to oral rehabilitation.     

Patient evaluation of treatment with fixed implant- supported partial dentures

The aim of this study was to analyse the patient evaluation of functional treatment outcome in 40 periodontally compromised patients who received implant-supported prostheses (ISPs) as part of the total treatment. The treatment protocol comprised periodontal treatment, extraction of teeth with poor prognosis, placement of dental titanium implants, and after healing, insertion of fixed ISPs. Five of the patients became edentulous in one jaw after extraction of all teeth and received a complete ISP, whereas 35 patients became partially edentulous after extraction of some teeth, 12 receiving a partial ISP on > or = 3 implants, and 23 one on two implants. The follow-up period was on average 1.8 years after the connection of the prostheses, which provided the patients a dentition with a mean of 12 occluding dental units. The first author (S.-W. Yi) performed all implant treatment. Patients' opinions on oral functions--mastication, phonetics, oral hygiene, chewing comfort and aesthetics--were evaluated by means of a questionnaire both before implant installation and at the last follow-up. A control group of 30 subjects with a healthy dentition of 14 occluding natural pairs of teeth answered the same questionnaire on one occasion. A great majority of the patients were extremely satisfied with the oral function after treatment and experienced the ISPs as 'natural teeth'. There was no significant difference between the three treatment groups and the control group for mastication, phonetics, chewing comfort and aesthetics. Patients with ISPs reported a small but significantly greater difficulty with oral hygiene procedures than the controls with natural teeth. Most patients said that they would undergo the treatment again, if necessary, and recommend it to others. It was concluded that the rehabilitation of the periodontally compromised patients, including ISPs on osseointegrated dental titanium implants, resulted in subjectively improved and satisfactory oral function.     

Oral Rehabilitation with Implant‐Retained Overdenture in a Patient with Down Syndrome

Down syndrome, known as trisomy 21, is the most common chromosomal disorder. The disorder affects mental and systemic development as well as oral structure, including dental anomalies, high susceptibility of periodontal disease, and poor quality of alveolar bone. This report presents a case of dental rehabilitation by means of dental implants of a patient with Down syndrome. Two titanium dental implants were placed in the maxilla, and three titanium dental implants were installed in the mandible. One implant was lost during the osseointegration period. The prosthetic rehabilitation was performed with implant‐retained maxillary and mandibular overdentures with the Locator attachment system. After a 2‐year follow‐up period, the patient was doing well, and all implants were clinically stable with no signs of bone loss or inflammation. The present study emphasizes that implant‐retained overdentures with Locator attachment system could be a therapeutic option even for patients with Down syndrome. This therapy prevents crestal bone loss around the implants, improves functional and esthetic outcomes, and provides optimum oral hygiene for patients with mild mental impairment. Careful patient selection and education of patients and caregivers are essential considerations for a successful and safe treatment with dental implants in Down syndrome patients.     

Oral rehabilitation with dental implants after cancer treatment

Background: Patients who undergo surgical management of oral cancer may greatly benefit from an implant‐supported prosthesis. This study reports on the clinical experience of dental implant placement in patients following resection of oral cancer over a 15‐year period. Controversies including the use of dental implants in irradiated tissues, and hyperbaric oxygen treatment will also be discussed. Methods: Thirty‐one patients who had dental implants placed as part of their oral rehabilitation between 1992 and 2007 were investigated. Demographic data and factors including implant survival, type of prosthesis provided, radiotherapy and the hyperbaric oxygen therapy were analysed. Results: In this retrospective study, there was a retention rate of 110 implants from a total of 115 implants placed. A high rate of implant retention was found, with 5 implant failures from a total of 115 implants placed. The 5 failed implants occurred in free flap bone that had been irradiated. Conclusions: Dental implants provide an important role in the oral rehabilitation of oral cancer patients. There may be an increased risk of implant failure in free flap bone that has been irradiated.     

口腔种植专题研讨会学术回顾与展望

此次研讨会有国内15所大学的23位种植学专家就上颌窦底提升术、上颌后区骨量不足及无牙颌种植修复三个重点进行典型病例研讨。针对上颌窦底提升、onlay植骨、种植体长度直径及冠根比、种植导航、上颌后牙骨量不足种植的风险、即刻负载、不翻瓣种植、all-on-4种植及附着龈等9个问题进行了专家与听众互动式提问、解答及争论。通过研讨认为应该强调循证医学,临床创新,处理好常规与尝试、安全与风险、一般和特需及需要与可能的关系。专家共同的体会是:口腔种植的发展已进入"自由王国"阶段,快速的学科发展是不断创新的结果,如何迎接种植大潮,遵守自然规律防止进入误区是至关重要的。     

Immediate Obturator Stabilization Using Mini Dental Implants

Edentulous patients with maxillary defects face a more challenging oral rehabilitation process than dentate patients. With the use of mini dental implants (MDIs), it is now possible to immediately increase obturator retention and stability. Implant patients can have a retentive obturator that enhances the overall efficacy of the prosthesis both in comfort and function.     

Early implant placement for a patient with ectodermal dysplasia: Thirteen years of clinical care

Patients with ectodermal dysplasia have abnormalities of 2 or more structures that originate from the ectoderm. The oral manifestations often include the congenital absence of teeth and malformed teeth. This clinical report describes the interdisciplinary care from childhood through the definitive dental rehabilitation completed at skeletal maturation to replace the missing teeth in a patient with ectodermal dysplasia. Treatment began at 9 years of age with an implant-assisted mandibular overdenture to improve function and replace the missing mandibular teeth. Orthodontic treatment for the consolidation of space, composite resin restorations, and interim removable dental prostheses were provided to improve esthetics and replace the missing maxillary teeth. Skeletal growth was monitored, and orthognathic surgery was performed at the cessation of growth. The definitive rehabilitation consisted of a mandibular fixed dental prosthesis supported by dental implants and a maxillary removable dental prosthesis to restore the patient to esthetics and function.