J Korean Acad Prosthodont.  2023 Jan;61(1):82-89. 10.4047/jkap.2023.61.1.82.

Complete denture rehabilitation of partially glossectomized patient using palatal augmentation prosthesis: A case report

• Lee HK
• Kim NH
• Jang HW
• Yim SY
• Lee KW
• Kim SY

• KMID: 2539319
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4047/jkap.2023.61.1.82

Abstract

The tongue is one of the most common sites of oral cancer. Glossectomy is known as the gold standard for tongue cancer treatment. However, surgical removal can lead to reduced mobility of the tongue and the patients may have difficulty performing normal oral functions like swallowing and pronunciation. Therefore, additional prosthetic consideration to supplement the function of the impaired tongue is needed for oral rehabilitation of such patients. Palatal augmentation prosthesis helps the tongue to reach the palate by lowering the position of the palatal polished surface. The oral functions of the patients with limited tongue mobility can be improved by the prosthesis. In this case, palatal augmented maxillary denture and conventional mandibular denture were fabricated for the completely edentulous patient with reduced tongue mobility after glossectomy due to tongue cancer. As a result, the oral functions of the patient were improved with the prosthesis.

Keyword

Glossectomy; Palatal augmentation prosthesis