Intraoral defects are frequently closed with a dento-maxillary prosthesis in patients who undergo maxillectomy for tumor resection. However, recent advances in microvascular surgery have led to the development of various free flap reconstruction techniques for maxillectomy defects, which are suggested to be more effective for revitalizing velopharyngeal incompetence than prosthetic obturations. Surgical reconstructions of maxillectomy defects are frequently performed by plastic and reconstructive surgeons. However, prosthodontists often experience difficulty in designing an appropriate prosthesis framework because the area reconstructed with a free flap is unsuitable for subsequent prosthetic rehabilitation in order to improve phonetic and masticatory function. For example, it is very difficult to achieve stability of the prosthesis on an area reconstructed with bulky soft tissue. Therefore, collaboration between prosthodontists and plastic and reconstructive surgeons is essential to achieve the therapeutic effects of prosthetic treatment following maxillectomy reconstruction. This paper describes clinical problems and suggestions concerning prosthetic treatment after surgical reconstruction of defects.
