Oral health-related quality of life in hemimandibulectomy patients with guide flange prosthesis: a prospective study

Abstract

Aim  To assess the quality of life in patients who have undergone hemimandibulectomy and rehabilitated with a guide flange prosthesis.

Methods  This is a prospective study conducted at two time points: immediately after prosthesis delivery and three months after prosthesis use. Forty-four patients who had undergone hemimandibulectomy and were rehabilitated with a guide flange prosthesis were included in the assessment. OHRQol was assessed in these patients using the Obturator Functioning Scale (OFS) and a novel scale Maxillofacial Prosthesis Performance Scale (MFPPS). The scores were obtained 1 week after and 3 months of guide flange prosthesis usage. The data were analyzed using unpaired and paired sample t-tests.

Results  After 3 months, the results showed significant improvement with the prosthesis. There was a notable improvement in chewing, swallowing, appearance, and psychological issues. The scores of OFS and MFPPS for mandibular guidance prosthesis after 1 week were 25.48 and 26.82, respectively, and scores after 3 months were 20.28 and 13.16, respectively.

Conclusion  The findings of the study show significant improvement in the scores after prosthesis usage in terms of functional, physical, social, and psychological parameters in the patients after following up.

Keywords:
Quality of life; Oral health; Neoplasms; Mandibular osteotomy; Dental prosthesis