Providing a Removable Partial Denture with Metal Posterior Occlusal Surface to a Patient with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Introduction N carcinoma(NPC) is a malignancy that arises from the lining epithelium of the nasopharynx. NPC patients are typically treated with large irradiation dose at all the major and minor salivary glands, thus caused severe and persistent xerostomia. e side e ects of such treatment impact the quality of life. Complications include candidiasis, as a result of a shi in the oral microora; transient taste alterations with nutritional compromise and accompanying weight loss, and trismus, due to muscle fibrosis which may lead to restricted movement of the mandible1-4. In NPC patient3, pre-radiotherapy consultation in dental clinic is needed. Since the long-term maintenance of teeth depends profoundly on good patient compliance with specific home care and preventive measures, patients must be encouraged to become actively involved in their oral health care program. Fluoride gel and chlorhexidine rinses may be used to control cariogenic flora during and after radiation therapy. And preventive extraction of those teeth with nonrestorable caries, active periapical disease, moderate to severe periodontal disease, lack of opposing teeth and difficult to maintain oral hygiene, partial impaction or incomplete eruption, etc, must be done before radiation therapy to prevent osteoradionecrosis(ORN)5,6. Post-radiation instruction is also very important. Maintenance of a prosthesis is more challenging because a dry oral environment renders the patient more susceptible to candidal infections7,8, mucosal irritation7, and decreased healing of hard and soft tissues made friable by radiation9. e absence of saliva also can lead to a shi to a more cariogenic diet that the patient perceives as more pleasant in taste Case Report