Dr. W. asks:
I have a 65 year old male patient who has a history of head and neck cancer treated with radiation therapy 5 years ago. He has no saliva and as such has rampant carries. His remaining teeth are to be extracted and implants placed. My question is whether a fixed -detachable (i.e., hybrid) would be preferable to overdentures. He would prefer a fixed type appliance. But I am wondering in the long term if it would be better for him to have overdentures which could be removed and cleaned? I would like to advise my patient which treatment would be preferable.
Cancer Patient Treated with Radiation Therapy: Fixed-Detachable vs. Overdentures?
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In cases like this we try to go with fixed or fix hibrid (not so much) in order to avoid gum imflamation that turns chronic in this kind of patients, specially if you have a removable on top of it(implant retained mucosupported is the definition of a removable).
Fixed is more comfortable and has better long term prognosis.
Please get an oral surgical consultation. Head and neck radiation (depending on dosage) can lead to osteonecrosis with implant placement or tooth extraction. Use caution!