抄録
Background: In cases with defective mandibular jaw, functional recovery with a prosthesis is considered, but the rehabilitation outcome varies widely depending on the anatomical and functional state after surgery. Therefore, this paper reviews the outcome of rehabilitation by wearing a prosthesis for defective mandibular jaw.
Methods: The literature was systematically searched by presenting key words to the Japan Medical Library Association in addition to Clinical Guidelines for Maxillofacial Prosthetics 2009. Then, we selected 16 reports related to this review paper.
Results: The treatment outcomes for 44 cases of mandibular bone reconstruction and 55 non-reconstruction cases after wearing a prosthesis for defective mandibular jaw were assessed in terms of masticatory and articulatory functions and esthetic satisfaction.
Overall, a prosthesis for defective mandibular jaw stabilizes the mandibular movement over time, and reduces difficulty of chewing. The combined use of a palatal lump for guiding mandibular movement was effective for improving speech intelligibility by stabilizing the mandibular position in phonation. Patients’ impaired esthetics might be improved by restoring defective teeth and mandibular structures.
Conclusions: For patients with mandibular jaw defects, a prosthesis can be effective for improving functional and esthetic problems. Standardized assessment procedures should be used for establishing evidence of treatment outcomes
