Evaluation of Quality of Life After Placement of Glabellar Implant-Supported Prosthesis in Maxillectomy Cases
摘要
Extensive maxillary defects following maxillectomy significantly impair oral function, facial aesthetics, and psychosocial well-being. Conventional obturators often provide inadequate retention in large defects. Implant-supported rehabilitation using remote cortical anchorage sites has emerged as a feasible alternative. This prospective exploratory pilot study descriptively assessed short-term clinical trends and quality-of-life changes in patients rehabilitated with tripodized corticobasal® implant-supported prostheses incorporating glabellar implants.
Methods and MaterialFifteen patients with maxillary deficiency or post-maxillectomy defects underwent corticobasal® implant placement in the glabellar, zygomatic, and/or pterygoid regions using a standardized protocol. Pain (VAS), implant stability (Periotest and resonance frequency analysis), and oral health–related quality of life (Hindi OHIP-14) were assessed preoperatively and at 24 h, 1 week, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks postoperatively. Changes across follow-up were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance (RM-ANOVA).
ResultsA statistically significant reduction in postoperative pain was observed over the follow-up period. Implant stability parameters demonstrated progressive improvement during healing. All OHIP-14 domains showed marked improvement, with substantial reduction in functional, physical, psychological, and social impact scores by 12 weeks.
ConclusionWithin the constraints of a short-term single arm exploratory pilot design, rehabilitation incorporating a glabellar implant was feasible and associated with early clinical and quality-of-life improvement. Controlled long-term studies are required to establish durability and comparative effectiveness.