CASE 2 — Female patient actively undergoing chemotherapy for leukemia, missing teeth #28, 29, and 30. What is the best treatment for the edentulous area?

Correct answer: D. Removable partial denture (RPD)

• A. Fixed bridge requires tooth preparation under compromised healing conditions; not ideal during active chemotherapy.
• B. Implants are ABSOLUTELY CONTRAINDICATED during active chemotherapy. Immunosuppression, thrombocytopenia, impaired healing, and risk of osseointegration failure and life-threatening infection make implants prohibited at this time.
• C. While some treatments are deferred, a functional RPD can and should be provided safely.
• D. An RPD is the safest, most appropriate prosthetic option. It is non-invasive, requires no surgery, can be removed for oral hygiene during the mucositis-prone chemotherapy period, and can be upgraded after treatment completion.