The cancer patient receiving chemotherapy often suffers severe oral complications related to the administration of antineoplastic drugs. Cancer patients who also have transmucosal or endosseous dental implants pose special problems for medical oncologists and dentists, both when planning for chemotherapy and when providing supportive care during the course of treatment. The relationship between dental implants and cancer chemotherapy is described and complications experienced by implant patients treated with chemotherapy at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center are reviewed. Recommendations on various aspects of management involving implant evaluation and the removal or retention of dental implants are discussed.

The indications, design, and advantages of the labial plate major connector as compared with the labial and lingual bar major connector are reviewed. The mechanical principles of increased rigidity and strength are discussed. The article suggests that the labial plate major connector may have an advantage over the labial bar major connector and should be considered when a labial connector is indicated.

This technique combines the heat-cured resin system with an autopolymerizing resin system (Cranioplast). Cranioplast has been used since the early 1950s.12 Clinical trials have shown that it evoked the least severe inflammatory response when compared with other autopolymerizing methyl methacrylate systems.8 The advantage inherent in this technique is the ability to go to the operating room with a prefabricated heat-cured acrylic resin prosthesis and alter the implant with Cranioplast for excellent adaptation to the defect. The technique provides a well-fitting cranial implant prosthesis with good cosmetic results.

A common complaint of denture wearers is that they are unable to keep their dentures clean and free of stains. This results from improper home care by the patient or improper finishing and polishing of the art portion of the dentures. To alleviate this common complaint patients should receive explicit instructions in home care, and dentures should be finished and polished so that they are free of all surface scratches and imperfections. When the dentures are properly finished food debris will not be trapped on the surface, thus preventing objectionable odor, and taste and an unsightly appearance. The following technique has proven successful in producing blemish-free dentures.

Many of the acrylic resin and bent-wire temporary partial dentures in use today produce pathologic changes in the oral mucosa. A method is outlined for the use of chrome-cobalt, instead of acrylic resin, to produce temporary prostheses. The resulting temporary partial dentures are esthetically pleasing and biologically acceptable to the oral tissues.