Resezioni oncologiche del terzo medio e inferiore del viso: il ruolo dell’odontoiatra nella restituzione di funzione e qualità di vita

This case series describes the signi!cant role of the dentist and oral surgeon in the management of patients undergoing head and neck oncologic resections, applying prosthetic and implant expertise to the restoration of function and quality of life in oncologic patients. Anatomical alterations resulting from ablative surgery compromise mastication, speech, swallowing, and facial aesthetics, and surgical re- construction alone, although necessary and bene!cial, does not always ensure adequate restoration of oral functions and overall quality of life. In this context, prosthetic and implant competencies allow oral rehabilitation to be less dependent on the anatomical alterations caused by ablative and recon- structive surgery, providing stable anchorage even in complex anatomical conditions and, in selected cases, reducing treatment time and overall surgical invasiveness. This work presents four clinical cases of patients treated after oncologic maxillary resections using different rehabilitative strategies according to defect extent, systemic conditions, and oncologic prognosis, highlighting the importance of a multidisciplinary pathway in integrating oncologic effectiveness, functional recovery, and improve- ment in quality of life.