Full-Mouth Digital Dental Rehabilitation Under General Anesthesia in a Post-Treatment Intraoral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patient: A Case Report.

Background

The treatment of head and neck cancer primarily involves surgical tumor removal combined with radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. It often leads to significant side effects, impacting the anatomical structures of the oral cavity and resulting in major functional, esthetic, and socio-relational alterations. Case presentation: This clinical report aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of a hospital-based approach incorporating general anesthesia (GA) and computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology in the oral rehabilitation of a 58-year-old woman in remission from intraoral squamous cell carcinoma of the mandibular symphysis. The patient presented with oral pain, radiation-induced caries, reduced occlusal vertical dimension, and severely compromised teeth. Treatment Approach: The treatment plan included the removal of two non-restorable teeth, root canal treatment for the remaining teeth, and the placement of ceramic crowns and a partial removable prosthesis. Due to the complexity of the case and the patient's limitations, the treatment was performed under GA, allowing for a staged approach. Digital technologies, including intraoral scanning and CAD-CAM, enhanced precision and patient comfort. This approach facilitated tooth preservation and minimized the number of extractions while achieving satisfactory functional and esthetic outcomes.

Conclusion

The case highlights the value of GA and digital techniques in managing special-needs patients with a history of irradiated head and neck cancer.