261 CLINICAL CONCEPTS/ INSPYRED Volume 34, Number 2, 2021 Correspondence to: Dr Christopher Herpel Department of Prosthodontics, Heidelberg University Hospital Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany Tel.: +49 6221 56 8799 Email: christopher.herpel@ med.uni-heidelberg.de Submitted June 24, 2020; accepted October 13, 2020. ©2021 by Quintessence Publishing Co Inc. Tissue retraction devices (TRDs) are used for head and neck radiotherapy to displace soft tissues and fxate the mandible. They can increase the accuracy of irradiation and reduce its side effects, such as oral mucositis. However, no method has been described for fabrication of TRDs in edentulous patients. In this case report, an edentulous 67-year-old patient undergoing radiotherapy of the tongue was provided with a TRD. The tongue was immobilized, ensuring irradiation consistency and the retraction of healthy oral tissues. Using 3D printing, an effcient workfow for fabrication of TRDs based on the patient’s existing complete prostheses can be realized. Int J Prosthodont 2021;34:261–266. doi: 10.11607/ijp.7241 Tissue Retraction for Head and Neck Radiotherapy in Edentulous Patients Christopher Herpel Jana Kostunov Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany. Thomas Held Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Institute of Radiation Oncology (HIRO), Heidelberg, Germany; National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany. Leo Christ Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany; HIRO, Heidelberg, Germany. Sebastian Adeberg Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany; HIRO, Heidelberg, Germany; NCT, Heidelberg, Germany; Clinical Cooperation Unit Radiation Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT), Heidelberg, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Heidelberg, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany. Peter Rammelsberg Franz Sebastian Schwindling Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany. I n order to protect healthy tissues during head and neck radiotherapy, it is essential to maintain a consistent position of the irradiated area within and between all therapy sessions. 1 For this purpose, thermoplastic head masks are used in combination with tissue retraction devices (TRDs). 2 TRDs are intended to both fx the position of the mandible and to space irradiated tissue from healthy tissue. The fxation allows for precise radiation delivery to the target tissue, while the spacing protects the surrounding healthy tissues, thus mitigating oral sequelae. 3,4 TRDs can minimize radiation-induced xerostomia by sparing salivary glands 5 and can reduce radiation-induced mucositis, which affects up to 60% of patients with resulting pain, superinfection, and dysphagia. 6 However, TRD retention is diffcult to achieve in edentulous patients, and no method has yet been described. Traditionally, TRDs require complex fabrication, including dental impressions, stone models, sculpting of a wax model, and conversion into acrylic resin. 7 CAD/CAM processes could facilitate their fabrication and clinical implementation. CASE REPORT An edentulous 67-year-old female patient was referred from the Department of Radiation Oncology for the provision of a TRD. The device was made in three steps: © 2021 BY QUINTESSENCE PUBLISHING CO, INC. PRINTING OF THIS DOCUMENT IS RESTRICTED TO PERSONAL USE ONLY. NO PART M AY BE REPRODUCED OR TRANSM ITTED IN ANY FORM WITHOUT WRITTEN PERM ISSION FROM THE PUBLISHER.