2016 Volume 39 Issue 2 Pages 42-48
Purposes: The maxillofacial prosthodontist should participate in maxillo-mandibular reconstructive surgery to achieve ideal prosthodontics through pre- to post-surgery. Reconstruction of the new jaw and alveolus based on various and simple surgical procedures. This article has reviewed the variation and characteristics for prosthodontics of such procedures.
Surgical Procedures: For framework reconstruction, there are four main procedures: no bridging, artifact, non-vascularized bone graft, and vascularized bone containing free flap. For the lining, there are four main procedures: direct closure of the remaining mucosa, secondary intension, skin paddle of the free flap, and skin graft. And a combination of these procedures is possible.
Case Presentations: A maxillofacial prosthodontist preoperatively made guide-splints of the ideal alveolus from the dental plaster cast, checked the position of the bone graft and intraoperatively reconstructed the alveolus using the guide-splint, postoperatively adjusted the splint for a better shape of the reconstructed alveolus, and finally set dentures in 2 cases.
Conclusions: Prosthodontics is only one of the goals of jaw reconstruction, but if it is planned pre-surgically for a patient, it should certainly be achieved. For better prosthodontics, a guide-splint making the jaw and alveolus in a top-down style is a good solution for prosthodontists and reconstructive surgeons.
