An Innovative two stage impression procedure for fabrication of obturator in maxillectomy patient - a technical report

Abstract

Maxillofacial defects caused as a result of surgical resection are usually complex with varied extent of the defect ranging from small to large and narrow to wide. This often leads to debilitation effects on the overall well-being of the patient due to compromised mastication, aesthetics and speech. Hence the rehabilitation of such defects is often challenging using a prosthesis. A proper impression, recording the accurate extensions of the defect can improve retention of the obturator prosthesis by using favourable undercuts along with providing support to the lip and nasal contours thus enhances aesthetics. Reproduction of the defect to its full extent in a single step impression is difficult without distorting tissue or displacing impression material. This is even more challenging in patients with radiotherapy induced microstomia. Hence an innovative two stage impression procedure was described here in the article that enables complete recording of the defect and the subsequent construction of an interim or a definitive prosthesis.