Complete edentulism with partial glossectomy: A Prosthodontic Challenge

Abstract

Introduction: Post treatment of tongue carcinoma, patients are left with different levels of impairment of mastication, deglutition, and speech. It is a very challenging situation for a Prosthodontist to rehabilitate such conditions, especially in edentulous patients. Palatogram is a fairly simple, yet highly efficacious technique of assessment and verification of palatal contours, so as to improve and correct the existent speech deficiencies and affected sounds. Case Characteristics: A 56yr old male completely edentulous patient previously operated for carcinoma of tongue presented with resected, retracted and depressed right postero-lateral border of tongue. There was restricted lower lip mobility, resorbed maxillary and mandibular residual alveolar ridges, shallow right lower labial and buccal sulci and shallow lateral throat form as well. Outcome: Correlating clinical and radiographic findings, a diagnosis of Class II (according to Prosthodontic Diagnostic Index classification) completely edentulous maxillary and mandibular arch with partial glossectomy (Rt) was arrived. After a thorough evaluation, decision was made to fabricate complete denture in neutral zone technique incorporating a functional palatal contour in the maxillary complete denture using a palatogram. This was satisfactorily accomplished.