Masticatory and swallowing threshold performances with conventional and implant-supported prostheses after mandibular fibula free-flap reconstruction.

Statement Of Problem: Significant strides in microvascular surgical techniques allow predictable restoration of bony and soft tissue orofacial defects. In combination with prosthetic rehabilitation, varying degrees of improvement in esthetics, speech intelligibility, and swallowing have been noted; however, the relative impact of conventional and implant-supported prostheses on restoration of masticatory function are not known.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether conventional or implant-supported dental prostheses and current surgical reconstructive procedures restore patients' masticatory function to presurgical levels.