[Recovery of oral function following surgical treatment for an oral cavity cancer]

Abstract

Ablative surgery for oral cancer results in loss or alterations of anatomical structures, which may impair oral functions, such as speech, mastication, and swallowing. Oral functions are impaired further by significant side-effects of additional postoperative radiation therapy. Improvement of oral functions may be achieved by implant-supported prosthetic rehabilitation. The recommended treatment is a 4-implants retained overdenture. A fixed 2 unit implant-supported partial denture seems a feasible alternative treatment.