Oral Rehabilitation Research Articles

A Post-Implanto-Prosthetic Rehabilitation Study Regarding the Degree of Improvement in Patients' Quality of Life: A Before-After Study.

Implant-prosthetic rehabilitation has the ability to improve the quality of life of patients, because, in addition to the role of restoring masticatory function, they also have many other benefits, such as restoring aesthetics or improving speech. This study aimed to analyze whether patients' quality of life was improved by implanto-prosthetic rehabilitation and which were the most important aspects. In this before-after study, we applied the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) questionnaire to analyze the degree to which complex implanto-prosthetic rehabilitation led or not to an increase in patients' quality of life. The present study was carried out at the level of a private medical center in a city in the central region of Romania and included patients who visited this medical center between January and June 2022 and who benefited from a complex implanto-prosthetic rehabilitation, with the total number of patients eligible for inclusion in the study being 116. Overall, an improvement in quality of life after implant-prosthetic rehabilitation was found. Patients' gender, age, or educational level did not significantly influence their responses. The network analysis offered an overview (intuitive visual representation) of the similarities but also the differences in the OHIP-14 item relationships in both situations: before and after oral rehabilitation. A better understanding of how patients perceive implanto-prosthetic rehabilitation and the aspects that influence this perception can lead to an improvement in their quality of life, increasing the addressability of this type of medical procedure.

New adhesive rehabilitation technique with indexed occlusal tabletops made by 3D printing technology.

In oral rehabilitation, a full mouth minimal invasive treatment can represent a major challenge for the patient and the dentist. The purpose of this article is to present a new technique to restore eroded teeth and recover the vertical dimension with a simple and predictable technique. Occlusal tabletop restorations are a suitable conservative option to restore anatomy and vertical dimension augmentation but highly sensitive. The cementation of those restorations without stable landmarks, the cement excess removal, the insertion path, or the time needed are some of the difficulties can be faced. Now a days with the new CAD-CAM techniques is possible to develop a new occlusal tabletop manufacturing alternative utilizing 3D-printed technology by unifying the restorations with a customized connector that allows us to print several onlays at same time, as a single object, also being cemented at once. This protocol reduces the technique sensitivity of a vertical dimension oral rehabilitation process, reduce the chair time, enhancing the patient-comfort and delivers a unique way to restore dental lost anatomy as a definitive or temporary way with printing materials. With the advent of new CAD-CAM 3D printing materials, which are increasingly versatile and gaining favor among clinicians, it is now possible to address complex clinical situations with greater predictability. This technology enables the development of treatment solutions that are both effective and efficient, consequently reducing clinical time for the patient.

Knowledge and awareness of pediatricians about early interventions performed by pediatric dentists in the management of cleft lip and palate – A questionnaire-based study

ABSTRACT Background and Introduction: Cleft lip and palate (CL/P) is one of the most common congenital anomalies which require multidisciplinary care. Patients with CL/P require appropriate corrective treatment to improve health, function, and esthetics. Knowledge about the various treatment procedures available and the timing of the procedures among pediatricians is vital for them to refer the patient at the correct stage to the appropriate specialist for the best possible rehabilitation. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and awareness of pediatricians about early interventions performed by pediatric dentists in the management of CL/P. Materials and Methods: A closed-ended questionnaire that included questions regarding the knowledge and awareness of obturators, lip taping, and nasoalveolar moldings was formulated. A questionnaire with 20 questions was circulated among the pediatricians through a web-based portal. Their knowledge and awareness about early interventions performed by pediatric dentists in the management of CL/P were assessed. Results: Results showed that out of 323 pediatricians who participated in the survey, 99.4% had heard of obturators. Awareness about lip taping was 78.3% while that of nasoalveolar molding was 55.1%. The benefits of the procedure and appliance were not well known. Conclusion: To improve the health, psychological, and social support of patients with CL/P, more awareness needs to be created among pediatricians regarding the management to provide better and timely oral rehabilitation.

Management for recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis following oesophagectomy for oesophageal cancer: thoracic surgeon perspective.

Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) paralysis following oesophagectomy may increase postoperative morbidity and mortality. However, clinical studies on this complication are uncommon. The aim of this study was to report the clinical course of patients with RLN paralysis following oesophageal cancer surgery. We retrospectively examined patients who underwent oesophagectomy for oesophageal carcinoma at Asan Medical Center between January 2013 and November 2018. We enrolled 189 patients with RLN paralysis confirmed using laryngoscopy in this study. Of the 189 patients, 22 patients had bilateral RLN paralysis, and 167 patients had unilateral RLN paralysis. Every patient received oral feeding rehabilitation, and 145 (76.7%) patients received hyaluronic acid injection laryngoplasty. During the postoperative period, 21 (11.1%) patients experienced aspiration pneumonia and recovered. One patient died of severe pulmonary complication. Twenty-four (12.7%) patients underwent feeding jejunotomy, while 11 (5.9%) patients underwent tracheostomy. In total, 173 (91.5%) patients were discharged with oral nutrition, and the median time to begin oral diet was 9 days. Statistical analysis using logistic regression revealed that only the advanced T stage affected nerve recovery. More than 50% of the patients showed nerve recovery within 6 months, and 165 (87.9%) patients fully or partially recovered during the observation period. RLN paralysis following oesophagectomy in oesophageal carcinoma is a predictable complication. In patients with RLN paralysis, early detection and intervention through multidisciplinary cooperation are required, and the incidence of postoperative complications can be reduced by implementing the appropriate management.

Treatment of partial mandibular edentious patients using a partially removable prostheses with extracoronal attachments

The management of uni- or bi-terminal edentulous cases in patients who cannot undergo implant-prosthetic treatment is complex and challenging, often requiring a multidisciplinary approach. Correct diagnosis, paraclinical investigations (retroalveolar radiographs, CBCT, blood tests), and a well-elaborated treatment protocol are usually necessary to achieve a predictable and successful outcome. The objective of complete rehabilitation of an arch includes identifying the cause, preventing, and conserving the remaining dental structure. This case study presents an interdisciplinary endo-prosthetic management through endodontic retreatment followed by the realization of a removable prosthesis restoration with extracoronal attachments. The prosthetic restoration yielded excellent functional and aesthetic results. Background. Oral rehabilitation of patients who cannot benefit from implant-prosthetic treatment. Case report. Restoration of the mandible using removable prostheses with extracoronal attachments. Conclusions. Removable prosthetic restorations remain a treatment solution in the era of implant prosthetics.

Treatment of total edentulousness by fixed implant-supported prostheses

Total edentulousness presents considerable obstacles to patients in terms of aesthetics, function, and general well-being [1]. Fixed implant-supported prostheses have emerged as a possible treatment option, providing more stability, comfort, and chewing efficiency than typical removable dentures [2]. To obtain predictable and effective outcomes, it is critical to use good case selection, detailed treatment planning, and interdisciplinary teamwork [3]. Considerations for bone quantity and quality, occlusal systems, and maintenance methods are also highlighted in order to maximize long-term prosthetic success and patient happiness [4]. This case report presents the interdisciplinary management of implant-prosthetic treatment and demonstrates the effectiveness of dental implants in the oral rehabilitation of completely edentulous patients, with a focus on the all-on-six treatment approach.

Oral dentures and quality of life related to Parkinson disease: An integrative review

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative condition affecting millions of elderly people, causing tooth loss and difficulties in oral hygiene. These complications increase the incidence of cavities and periodontal diseases. Oral rehabilitation with dentures is crucial to restore masticatory function and improve the quality of life for these patients. The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of oral rehabilitation on the quality of life of edentulous older patients with Parkinson's. An integrative review was prepared following the recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), based on the research's guiding question: "What is the impact of rehabilitation with complete dentures on the quality of life of older patients with Parkinson's?". The PICO search strategy was set up (P=patient, I=intervention, C=control and O =outcome) and the descriptors that guided the search were obtained from the health sciences descriptors of the virtual health library (DeCSbvs) and the headings of medical subjects (MeSH Pubmed). We used the Pubmed/Medline, BVS, CINAHL, EMBASE, SCOPUS and Web of Science databases, in the last 10 years (between June 2012 and June 2022), presenting title and abstract in English. Used the selection process of the articles occurred according to the three steps of the Prisma Flow Diagram: Step 1: Articles selected through critical and reflective reading by title and summary; Step 2: Articles read in full and included in the review only related to the research theme and Step 3: Selection of articles according to the pre-established inclusion and exclusion criteria. As results, from 42 initial studies were included two studies. Conclusions: there is a lack of studies in the field of quality of life related to dentures in patients with Parkinson disease.

Guided bone regeneration and implantological surgery in patients with a complicated alveolar dental trauma. A case report

Background: The difficulty of dental restoration varies depending on the factors that caused the loss or destruction of the original tissue, the major cause of dental rehabilitation is trauma fracture being more common in young people, these fractures can be restored or cause tooth extraction, in those cases where trauma causes tooth extraction various factors such as density and state of bone contour play an important role when what is wanted is a rehabilitation by dental implant, This is why different techniques and bone graft materials are combined with platelet-rich fibrin to increase the success rate.Objective: To show the clinical management of a patient with complicated alveolar trauma, exposing the surgical protocol, using two types of bone grafts and collagen membranes. Case Report: Fema- le patient comes to a consultation with a history of complicated dentoalveolar trauma 1 month before care, presents complicated coronal fracture of 12, 21 and 22, It was decided to perform surgical procedure with bone graft in combination with collagen membrane. Results: The patient developed favorably, obtaining the desired aesthetic and functional results. Conclusion: The application of guided bone regeneration treatment and implant surgery as performed in the reported case was a favorable and innovative option for oral rehabilitation. After 1 year of follow-up of the case, implant and peri-implant stability is evidenced in the use of two types of grafts.

Treatment outcomes in maxillofacial rehabilitation: a scoping review protocol.

The objective of this scoping review is to assess the treatment outcomes following maxillofacial rehabilitation and to identify the tools used to evaluate those outcomes. Maxillofacial defects caused due to tumor, trauma, or any pathology affects the patient physically, mentally, and psychologically. Various methodologies and strategies are used for jaw reconstruction and oral rehabilitation to help the patient regain the functions and quality of life that were lost due to the defect. The evaluation of these treatment outcomes is imperative to assess the success of rehabilitation. The review will include patients with any maxillofacial defect caused by a developmental anomaly, trauma, or tumor. The patients must have undergone any type of reconstruction and/or rehabilitation and can be from any age group. All treatment outcomes of maxillofacial rehabilitation will be considered. Information from primary and secondary sources and from diverse geographical settings will be included. This review will follow the JBI methodology for scoping reviews. Databases to be searched will include PubMed (Ovid), Scopus, PsycINFO (EBSCOhost), CINAHL(EBSCO), Web of Science, Cochrane CENTRAL, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, and Google Scholar (first 10 pages of the search). Two independent reviewers will screen the titles and abstracts and extract data from selected studies. Data will be presented in tabular format, accompanied by a narrative summary. https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/DP8WC.

Comprehensive clinical and histological evaluation of bovine hydroxyapatite bone graft with polypropylene membrane versus leukocyte- and platelet-rich fibrin for alveolar preservation after tooth extraction.

Osseointegrated implant placement in the ideal prosthetic position necessitates a sufficient residual alveolar ridge. Tooth extraction and the subsequent healing process often lead to bony deformities, characterized by a reduction in alveolar ridge height and width, resulting in unfavorable ridge architecture for dental implant placement. Several materials, including allografts, alloplastics, xenografts, and autogenous bone, are commonly used to address these concerns. In this context, leucocyte- and platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF) emerges as a promising solution. This case report aims to compare the clinical and histological efficacy of bovine hydroxyapatite bone graft covered with polypropylene membrane (BHAG-PM) and leucocyte- and platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF) in preserving dental alveoli following tooth extraction. Extraction, graft placement in the alveoli, and the anterior border between extracted elements were performed for both treatment groups. Up to 24 months of follow-up revealed satisfactory and comparable clinical and histological outcomes. These results suggest that both BHAG-PM and L-PRF effectively promote alveolar preservation, paving the way for ideal implant placement. In general, bone-substitute materials are effective in reducing alveolar changes after tooth extraction. Xenograft materials should be considered as among the best of the available grafting materials for alveolar preservation after tooth extraction. Both techniques effectively preserve the alveolar bone and facilitate the placement of osseointegrated implants in ideal positions, paving the way for successful oral rehabilitation.

RETRACTION: Comparative effectiveness of low-level laser therapy and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in symptomatic Temporomandibular Disorders: A Randomised Control Trial.

Batra, S. Srivastava, A., Shivakumar, G. C., Marrapodi, M. M., Herford, A. S., Cicciù, M., Minervini, G. (2023) Comparative effectiveness of low-level laser therapy and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in symptomatic Temporomandibular Disorders: A Randomised Control Trial. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, 50: 1185-1193. https://doi.org/10.1111/joor.13555 The above article, published online on 05 July 2023 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com), has been retracted by agreement between the journal Editor in Chief, Peter Svensson, and John Wiley and Sons Ltd. The retraction has been agreed following concerns raised by a third party about the ethical approval for the study described. The publisher contacted the authors, who provided a letter of ethical approval from People's College of Dental Sciences & Research Center, People's University, which did not match the ethical approval reported in the article. The authors reported that the study was initiated at Banaras Hindu University, but were not able to provide evidence of ethical approval from this institution. In addition, the authors did not provide an explanation for why the clinical trial was registered with Clinical Trial Registry-India retrospectively, which violates the journal's author guidelines that require authors to provide an explanation for retrospective registration of clinical trials. Following the investigation by the publisher, the journal has concluded this article did not follow the journal's requirements regarding ethical approval of clinical trials and registration of clinical trials, and so the journal must issue a retraction. Shivakumar, G. C. has stated that Marrapodi, M. M., Herford, A. S., Cicciù, M., and Minervini, G. were not involved in the investigation, data curation, conceptualization, methodology, or formal analysis of the clinical study. The authors disagree with this retraction.

Prosthetic Rehabilitation of a Maxillectomy Patient with Restricted Mouth Opening Using an Altered Cast Technique: A Case Report

Deformity in the maxillofacial region caused by surgical resection of a tumor have an adverse effect on the patient's ability to swallow, masticate, phonate, and psychological state. These patients may have restricted mouth opening capacity due to several surgical procedures and scar contracture resulting from radiation therapy. Therefore due to restricted access to the oral cavity prosthetic rehabilitation of these patients becomes a challenging task. A precise impression of the resection defect is necessary for accurate obturation. This is not practical for patients who have restricted mouth opening, hence this crucial first step in the making of a good prosthesis is frequently accomplished by altering the conventional impression method. This clinical report details the prosthetic rehabilitation of a patient who was diagnosed with Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the left maxillary sinus. Patient underwent maxillectomy for tumor removal, which was worsened by trismus as a result of the procedure and radiation therapy. For orofacial rehabilitation and defect obturation, the patient was restored with a removable dental prosthesis with a hollow bulb obturator. An altered cast technique was used in the final impression making. This rehabilitation approach was successful in restoring lost function and appearance of the patient. Keywords: Maxillectomy, Hollow Obturator, Altered cast technique

Pain assessment, cognitive and cortical changes with full mouth rehabilitation in a group of children

BackgroundA change in professionals’ perspectives on the value of general anesthesia (GA) for pediatric patients, including those with disabilities, medical conditions, severe oral issues, and challenging behaviors. Full-mouth rehabilitation under GA allows for the comprehensive treatment of all oral health problems in a single visit, without requiring the child’s active participation. Extensive dental problems are often associated with severe dental pain, which can impact cognitive function, including perception, attention, memory, reasoning, language, communication, and executive functions. Individuals experiencing pain tend to perform less optimally cognitively.AimThis study aimed to investigate changes in cognition, brain function, and cortical alterations in children who underwent extensive dental rehabilitation under GA.Patients andMethodsThirty uncooperative, healthy children aged 6–12 with extensive dental issues were enrolled. Pain levels were assessed using the FLACC and WBFPS scales before treatment, one week after, and three months later. Cognitive assessments, including the WCST, processing speed, digit span, and Trail Making Test, as well as EEG measurements, were also performed.ResultsThe results showed a significant improvement in pain levels reported by the children or their caregivers after the dental procedures, both at one week and three months. All cognitive measures, such as digit span, processing speed, and WCST performance, demonstrated substantial improvements after the treatment. The Trail Making Test also exhibited statistically significant variations before and after the dental procedures. Additionally, the MOCA test revealed a notable improvement in cognitive skills following the treatment. Furthermore, the EEG power ratio, an indicator of changes in the power balance within each frequency band, showed a statistically significant difference after the dental procedures.Conclusionthe findings of this study suggest that full-mouth rehabilitation under GA can lead to improved pain management, as well as enhanced cognitive and brain functions in children.Future perspectivesMore clinical studies with a longer follow-up period and a different age range of children are required to investigate the connection between brain function and oral rehabilitation involving restorations or occlusion issues.

Efficacy of mesenchymal stem cell-based therapy on the bone repair of hypertensive rats.

Hypertension disrupts the bone integrity and its repair ability. This study explores the efficiency of a therapy based on the application of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to repair bone defects of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). First, we evaluated SHR in terms of bone morphometry and differentiation of MSCs into osteoblasts. Then, the effects of the interactions between MSCs from normotensive rats (NTR-MSCs) cocultured with SHR (SHR-MSCs) on the osteoblast differentiation of both cell populations were evaluated. Also, bone formation into calvarial defects of SHR treated with NTR-MSCs was analyzed. Hypertension induced bone loss evidenced by reduced bone morphometric parameters of femurs of SHR compared with NTR as well as decreased osteoblast differentiation of SHR-MSCs compared with NTR-MSCs. NTR-MSCs partially restored the capacity of SHR-MSCs to differentiate into osteoblasts, while SHR-MSCs exhibited a slight negative effect on NTR-MSCs. An enhanced bone repair was observed in defects treated with NTR-MSCs compared with control, stressing this cell therapy efficacy even in bones damaged by hypertension. The use of MSCs derived from a heathy environment can be in the near future a smart approach to treat bone loss in the context of regenerative dentistry for oral rehabilitation of hypertensive patients.

Resultater fra rapportering til Bivirkningsgruppen 2023

English summary Nor Tannlegeforen Tid. 2024; 134: 418-24. This case study describes the oral rehabilitation of a patient with severe wear on teeth and restorations. A successful rehabilitation was achieved with emphasis on an even and axial force distribution throughout the dentition. Adjustable composites and temporary restorations were used to establish a favorable occlusal scheme before moving on to permanent restorations.

Personal scoping review: A novel review type with a personal touch.

The importance of incorporating patient and medical professional perspectives in medical research is increasingly recognized. However, formal platforms for these voices are limited. To address this gap, this study proposes a novel manuscript type, the Personal Scoping Review, within the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation. Personal Scoping Reviews utilize a qualitative design with semi-structured interviews to gather patient and professional perspectives. This approach offers flexibility and depth, allowing authors to explore diverse insights. The reviews focus on care, education and research agendas related to the topic, using the voices of individuals as primary evidence. Personal Scoping Reviews highlight concerns in patient care, educational needs and research gaps, offering a comprehensive view. By integrating diverse perspectives, these reviews provide valuable insights for improving medical research and practice. They facilitate the formulation of agendas to address key issues in care, education and research. By amplifying individual perspectives, these reviews aim to enhance the relevance and impact of research, ultimately benefiting patients and healthcare providers alike.

Correlation between bone mineral density, vitamin D deficiency, and oral health in women with breast cancer

Breast cancer (BC) survivors treated with aromatase inhibitors (AIs) typically exhibit various pathological issues, including bone loss, poor oral health, and vitamin D deficiency. Nonetheless, chronic oral disorders are even often neglected in women with BC, and explicit indications regarding oral health screening, evaluation, and treatment to prevent cancer treatment-induced bone loss (CTIBL) are lacking. A close link between oral health status and CTIBL might be explained, in part, by the systemic inflammation that characterizes both conditions. In this scenario, the effects of vitamin D (as an inflammation down-regulator) on immune systems are widely acknowledged. Vitamin D might facilitate upregulation of MAP kinases and inhibit the NF-kB signaling pathway, with crucial implications for cytokine serum levels, the prostaglandin inflammation pathway, and the immune cell system. Vitamin D deficiency, smoking, and insufficient usage of dental floss have been found to harm oral health in women with BC receiving AIs. Consequently, vitamin D deficiency screening and supplementation and an appropriate oral rehabilitation strategy should be advised and implemented in the comprehensive therapeutic approach to women with BC treated with AIs. KEY WORDS: Vitamin D, vitamin D deficiency, oral health, periodontal diseases, breast cancer.

Oral health-related quality of life in implant-supported rehabilitations: a prospective single-center observational cohort study

BackgroundOral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) is a comprehensive concept covering daily comfort, self-esteem, and satisfaction with oral health, including functional, psychological, and social aspects, as well as pain experiences. Despite abundant research on OHRQoL related to oral diseases and hygiene, there is limited data on how patients perceive changes after implant-prosthetic rehabilitation. This study aimed to evaluate OHRQoL and aesthetic perception using OHIP-14 and VAS scales respectively, before (baseline-TB), during (provisional prostheses-TP), and after (definitive prostheses-TD) implant-prosthetic rehabilitation. It also explored the impact of biological sex, substitution numbers, and aesthetic interventions on OHRQoL and VAS scores, along with changes in OHIP-14 domains.MethodsA longitudinal prospective single-center observational cohort study was conducted with patients requiring implant-prosthetic rehabilitation. Quality of life relating to dental implants was assessed through the Italian version of Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (IOHIP-14), which has a summary score from 14 to 70. Patients’ perceived aesthetic was analyzed through a VAS scale from 0 to 100. Generalized Linear Mixed Effect Models, Linear Mixed Effect Models, and Friedman test analyzed patient responses.Results99 patients (35 males, 64 females) aged 61–74, receiving various prosthetic interventions, were enrolled. Both provisional and definitive prosthetic interventions significantly decreased the odds of a worse quality of life compared to baseline, with odds ratios of 0.04 and 0.01 respectively. VAS scores increased significantly after both interventions, with estimated increases of 30.44 and 51.97 points respectively. Patient-level variability was notable, with an Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) of 0.43. While biological sex, substitution numbers, and aesthetic interventions didn’t significantly affect VAS scores, OHRQoL domains showed significant changes post-intervention.ConclusionsThese findings support the effectiveness of implant-prosthetic interventions in improving the quality of life and perceived aesthetics of patients undergoing oral rehabilitation. They have important implications for clinical practice, highlighting the importance of individualized treatment approaches to optimize patient outcomes and satisfaction in oral health care.

Prefabricated Fibula Flap vs Bone-Driven and Delayed Implant Installation for Jaw Reconstruction

Restoration of dental occlusion and oral rehabilitation is the ultimate goal of functional jaw reconstruction. To evaluate the prefabricated fibula flap (PFF) technique in occlusion-driven jaw reconstruction for benign or previously treated malignant disease. This cohort study was conducted from January 2000 to December 2019 at the University of Alberta Hospital and Institute of Reconstructive Sciences in Medicine in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, among patients who underwent PFF or bone-driven and delayed osseointegrated implant installation (BDD). Patients were followed up for a minimum of 1 year after occlusal rehabilitation. Data were analyzed from July 2021 to June 2022. Patients underwent BDD or PFF, which consists of osseointegrated dental implant installation and skin grafting of the fibular bone 3 to 6 months before jaw tumor resection or defect reconstruction. The implant osseointegration is completed at the time of jaw reconstruction, allowing for full reconstruction, loading, and restoration of the dental occlusion in the immediate postoperative period. Safety, effectiveness, accuracy, timeliness of occlusal reconstruction, and aesthetic appeal were compared between PFF and BDD. Groups were compared for the following variables: postoperative complications, number of bony segments used, number of procedures needed, total operative time, time to occlusal rehabilitation, and number of implants installed, exposed, lost, and used (ie, exposed implants - lost implants). Aesthetic appeal was assessed using standardized full-face and profile digital photographs taken before and 6 to 12 months after the operation and analyzed by 3 naive raters. Among 9 patients receiving PFF (mean [SD] age, 43.3 [13.0] years; 7 men [77.8%]) and 12 patients receiving BDD (mean [SD] age, 41.9 [18.0] years; 8 men [66.7%]), the overall complication rate was similar (4 patients [44.4%] vs 3 patients [25.0%], respectively; relative risk, 1.78 [95% CI, 0.52 to 6.04]). The number of patients with implant loss was similar between PFF and BDD groups (0 patients vs 3 patients [25.0%], respectively; difference, -25.0 percentage points [95% CI, -48.4 to 9.7 percentage points]). PFF had a clinically meaningful faster mean (SD) occlusal rehabilitation compared with BDD (12.1 [1.9] months vs 60.4 [23.1] months; difference, -48.3 months [95% CI, -64.5 to -32.0 months]). The mean (SD) difference in preoperative to postoperative aesthetic score was similar between PFF and BDD groups (-0.8 [1.5] vs -0.2 [0.8]; difference, -0.6 [95% CI, -1.6 to 0.4]). This study found that PFF compared with BDD was a safe, effective, and aesthetic reconstructive option for patients with benign or previously treated jaw malignant tumors. This technique may provide rapid occlusal reconstruction and oral rehabilitation.

Treatment Complications of Head and Neck Cancers and Rehabilitation Measures: A Narrative Review.

Head and neck cancers (HNCs) are malignant tumors mainly from squamous cells in the head and neck tissues. Treatment involves a multidisciplinary approach with surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. However, the long-term prognosis for patients with advanced-stage tumors is guarded, with a median survival time of approximately 24 months. HNC patients have very high rates of depression and anxiety and the highest suicide rate among all cancers due to the intense and challenging nature of the treatment, underscoring the importance of our collective efforts. Rehabilitation success depends on various factors, including tumor, patient, and treatment-related factors. Patients may require post-treatment oral rehabilitation measures, including implants, obturators, and flexible dentures. These measures are crucial, but they often need to be more utilized. Patients may face challenges in maintaining oral hygiene and managing mucositis. Additionally, it is essential to address other intricacies such as trismus, xerostomia, gustatory dysfunctions, neuropathy, speech impairments, and psychological disturbances. Unfortunately, there is little literature on post-treatment rehabilitative measures. Despite its crucial role in improving patients' quality of life, rehabilitation often receives inadequate attention compared to treatment. Our narrative review, which covers various factors that affect rehabilitation, including oral rehabilitation measures and post-treatment complications, is anticipated to deliver practical insights to professionals and inspire positive changes in their regular practice.