REHABILITATION OF A TOTAL GLOSSECTOMY PATIENT USING PALATAL TONGUE PROSTHESIS - A CASE REPOR

Tongue is one of the most important organs for chewing, swallowing, and speaking. Advanced tongue cancer is a complex medical condition with challenging oncologic management that can lead to serious treatment options. In certain cases, the best course of action may involve a glossectomy and all of its associated complications. Following the procedure, most of the glossectomy patients appear to be reluctant to speak or take oral fluids. The patient may also experience psychological impairment as a result. A silicone tongue prosthesis can help patients who have had a total glossectomy by improving their swallowing and speech. Speech and swallowing are improved by palatal augmentation, which reshapes the hard palate to improve tongue to hard palate contact and effectively enhances the patient's ability to speak and swallow, improving their quality of life. This case report discusses detailing the prosthodontic rehabilitation of a total glossectomy dentulous patient with acrylic tongue prosthesis.