Oral reconstruction for edentulous patients after partial mandibulectomies.

The prosthodontic reconstruction of the patient who has had a partial mandibulectomy is a formidable challenge. A realistic view of the positive and negative factors must be maintained so that unrealistic promises are not made by the prosthodontist and no unfulfilled hopes are left for the patient. Because of the instability of the mandibular denture, the patient's relaxed central position is used as the jaw relationship for setting posterior teeth with flat occlusal surfaces to allow for lateral freedom of mandibular movements.