Case report: Total maxillectomy with prosthetic reconstruction technique

Abstract

The prosthetic treatment of patients with total maxillectomies is an enormous reconstruction challenge because of insufficient support and retention from the residual tissues. It is not possible to place the bulb in the presence of unfavorable undercuts throughout the nasal cavity floor and borders. The purpose of this article was to describe a prosthetic reconstruction technique which accomplishes optimum sealing, retention, stabilization, and easy placement of an open‑hollow acrylic resin obturator using a spring with a resilient liner for a patient who underwent a total maxillectomy. The springs were placed in the resilient liner to facilitate the placement of the obturator prosthesis because of unfavorable undercuts. It was possible to fit the prosthesis in two stages by means of springs. The objective of this technique is to improve the patient’s psychological, functional, and social well‑being by producing a stable, retentive, leakproof, comfortable, easy‑fitting prosthesis. This technique is appropriate for patients who have undergone total maxillectomies when implant placement is not possible.

Keywords: Dental obturators, maxillectomy reconstruction, maxillofacial prosthesis, open‑hollow acrylic resin obturator, total maxillectomy