Oral Rehabilitation Using Dental Implants after Reconstruction of Maxillectomy Defects with A Scapular Free Flap

Abstract

Restoring midfacial defects following the resection of head and neck tumors is difficult in terms of achieving oral and facial reconstruction and rehabilitation. As surgical techniques for free tissue transfer develop, reconstruction of maxillary palatal defect becomes easier and more practical, and dental implant placement can be achieved using bone flaps. Scapular flaps have several advantages in the reconstruction of maxillary bone defects, including anatomical similarity and suitability for dental implants. Herein, we report the case of a 56-year-old patient who underwent partial maxillectomy for squamous cell carcinoma of the right maxillary gingiva; the surgical defects were reconstructed using a scapular free flap. Dental implant surgery with three implants was performed two years after an oral cancer surgery. Masticatory function gradually improved over approximately four months of provisional prosthesis use. After confirming that the patient adapted well to the provisional prosthesis, the final prosthesis was installed after adapting to the provisional prosthesis.