Ahmed M. Abdelfattah, Marwa E. Sabet, Ayman A. Shaker, Ahmed M. Osama And Hebatallah T. Mohamed,

ABSTRACT
Background: Segmental Resection Of The Mandible Results In Severe Disturbance Of Chewing Function. Advances In Microvascular Surgeries And CAD/CAM Technology Helped With Prosthetic Rehabilitation Of Reconstructed Mandibles. Different Methods Used To Evaluate The Function Of Chewing Are Mentioned In The Literature As Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Purpose: The Aim Of This Study Was To Assess The Chewing Function In Patients With Reconstructed Mandibles That Were Rehabilitated With Implant Assisted Mandibular Removable Partial Overdenture Using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Materials and Methods: Ten Patients Were Selected According To The Inclusion Criteria. Seven Patients Had Implants Placed In Their Reconstructed Mandibles And Six Patients Completed The Prosthetic Rehabilitation To The End. Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Was Used To Evaluate The Chewing Function. Patients Were Instructed To Chew Once On The Rehabilitated Side And The Second Time On The Normal Side. Maximum Brain Intensity (Z Score) Value Was Recorded In The Activated Brain Regions In Each Time And Analysed.

Results: Maximum Brain Intensity Value In The Motor Cortex, Supplementary Motor Area And Cerebellum During Chewing On The Rehabilitated Side Was More Than The Normal Side. However, Insular Cortex Recorded Higher Value During Chewing On The Normal Side Than The Rehabilitated Side. Conclusion: It Was Concluded That Chewing On The Rehabilitated Side Of The Reconstructed Mandible Required More Brain Activity In Comparison To The Normal Side.