Rehabilitation of a mandibular segmental defect with magnet retained maxillofacial prosthesis.

Resection or loss of a portion of the mandible can result in a variety of functional, cosmetic and psychological deficits that are dependent on the extent of the defect, the concomitant therapy and the timing of rehabilitative efforts. These impairments greatly affect the patient's Quality of life (QOL). The thrust in cancer care is not simply on survival but on rehabilitation, which aims to improve multiple impairments and QOL. This article describes a case of a 58-year-old female with segmental resection of the anterior mandible, extending to lower lip, resulting in a large intraoral as well extra oral defect. Prosthodontics rehabilitation was done using a two-piece intra oral and extra oral prosthesis oriented to each other using magnets. Use of magnets for retaining the extra oral prosthesis simplifies the clinical and laboratory phase enhancing patient's comfort and psychological morale.

Scope of prosthodontic services for patients with head and neck cancer.

Patients with head and neck cancer face high morbidity due to the disease and its treatment and are affected on a variety of personal and physical levels. Maxillofacial prosthetics offer support for other disciplines in a multidisciplinary setting; can help to prevent / minimize the sequelae from disease and treatment, and offers the patient help in the rehabilitation process. Maxillofacial prosthodontics focuses on optimizing the disrupted rudimentary function of individuals whose rehabilitation will be a lifelong proposition. Normal function may not be achieved but optimal function should always be achieved and the patients can lead a near to normal life.