J Adv Prosthodont.  2011 Jun;3(2):106-109. 10.4047/jap.2011.3.2.106.

A simple technique to fabricate a surgical obturator restoring the defect in original anatomical form

• Shambharkar VI
• Puri SB
• Patil PG

• KMID: 1975086
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4047/jap.2011.3.2.106

Abstract

Oral cancer treatment involves the surgical removal of all or part of the maxilla, leaving the patient with a defect that compromises the integrity and function of the oral cavity. The postoperative restoration of esthetics, deglutition, and speech shortens recovery time in the hospital and expedites the patient's return to the community as a functioning member. The surgical obturator is the proven treatment option in such situations. This article describes a simple technique to fabricate a surgical obturator that restores patient's original dentition and facial and palatal tissue form. The obturator fabricated with this technique utilizes the vacuum formed index of patient's original tissue form and duplicated partly in heat and partly in auto polymerizing acrylic resin. Duplication of the original tissue form helps patient to minimize the immense physiological trauma immediately after the surgical resection. The obturator fabricated with this technique supports soft tissues after surgery and minimizes scar contracture and disfigurement, and thus may have a positive effect on the patients' psychology.

Keyword

Maxillofacial prosthesis; Maxillectomy; Obturator

MeSH Terms

Cicatrix
Contracture
Deglutition
Dentition
Esthetics
Hot Temperature
Humans
Maxilla
Maxillofacial Prosthesis
Mouth
Mouth Neoplasms
Polymers
Vacuum
Polymers

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Maxillary working cast with anticipated line of resection marked.

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  Fig. 2 Scraping of the cast to achieve the normal anatomical contours in the labial vestibule.

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  Fig. 3 Vacuum formed template adapted on the prosthetic base.

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  Fig. 4 Maxillary cast sectioned according to the pre-planned line of resection.

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  Fig. 5 Reseating of cast on vacuum formed template.

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  Fig. 6 Creation of the prosthetic teeth (A), and facial surface (B) in tooth colored and pink colored autopolymerizing acrylic resin respectively.

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  Fig. 7 Completed surgical obturator.

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  Fig. 8 Surgical defect after maxillectomy.

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  Fig. 9 Surgical obturator was placed after maxillectomy.

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