Oral rehabilitation after mandibular reconstruction using an osteocutaneous fibula free flap with endosseous implants

Abstract

At the time of examination, prosthesis-based oral rehabilitation was completed in six patients (21%), and the prosthodontic work was still unfinished in four other patients. The other 18 had no dental prosthetic rehabilitation. Thirteen patients received a total of 37 oral implants, and 23 implants were functionally loaded. No implant loss was recorded. Oral functions such as speech, diet tolerance and oral competence were not directly affected by the presence of dentures. A decisive factor affecting the oral function was the extent of soft-tissue loss. According to the classification described here, the extent of the mandibular defect did not correlate with oral functions. The application of oral implants seemed to be advantageous for the oral rehabilitation of patients who had undergone intraoral resections.