Prosthodontics in Palliative Care: Optimizing Oral Rehabilitation for Quality of Life

Prosthodontics plays a vital role in improving the oral health-related quality of life of patients, yet its contribution in the context of palliative care remains underexplored. Individuals receiving palliative care often suffer from oral complications such as xerostomia, mucosal ulceration, prosthesis-related trauma, and impaired mastication or speech. These conditions not only compromise nutrition and communication but also aggravate broader symptoms such as pain, dyspnea, and fatigue. For instance, poorly fitting prostheses can cause persistent oral pain, limiting food intake and thereby worsening fatigue. Difficulty in mastication and swallowing may contribute to aspiration risk, exacerbating dyspnea. By addressing these oral challenges, prosthodontic interventions can directly support comfort, reduce symptom burden, and preserve dignity in end-of-life care, complementing systemic medical management. Prosthodontic interventions, ranging from the use of soft liners and tissue conditioners to lightweight interim prostheses and modified obturators, can provide substantial relief in this setting. Despite the availability of simple and cost-effective strategies, awareness and integration of prosthodontics into palliative care pathways remain limited. This editorial highlights the urgent need to reframe prosthodontics as a discipline not confined to restorative excellence but as one that directly contributes to alleviating suffering. By emphasizing patient-centered goals, prosthodontists can enhance nutrition, communication, and psychosocial well-being for terminally ill patients. Greater collaboration between prosthodontists, oncologists, and palliative care providers is essential to ensure comprehensive oral comfort management. Addressing these gaps will not only improve patient outcomes but also align prosthodontics more closely with the core mission of palliative care, optimizing quality of life in its final stages.