Study of mandible repositioning appliance in head and neck cancer patients

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25463018
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Prosthodontics/ Dental materials science and
• Research Institution: Showa University
• Principal Investigator: Yokoyama Kaoru (平野薫) 昭和大学, 歯学部, 講師 (00384355)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 高橋 浩二 昭和大学, 歯学部, 教授 (40197140)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 頭頸部癌 / 下顎変位 / 区域切除 / 下顎復位装置 / 摂食嚥下機能 / 睡眠時無呼吸

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mandible movement, dysphagia and sleep apnea of the mandibulectomized patients, and to establish the non-invasive technique of reposition of the mandible using the mandible repositioning appliances (MRAs).
As the results of CT image evaluation, MRAs changed the mandible bone to the normal position. Furthermore, effectiveness of our technique was verified for repositioning the deviated mandible resulting in improved eating ability and AHI. The mandibulectomized patients who used the MRAs more than three years served as subjects. The patients stopped using the MRAs for the reason of toothache or mobility or extraction, and there was no difference of the material of the MRAs.

Free Research Field

摂食嚥下