A DISTINCTIVE APPROACH TO REHABILITATE PATIENT WITH BILATERAL MAXILLECTOMY DEFECT BY TWO-PIECE HOLLOW OBTURATOR- CASE REPORT

An obturator is a common tool for prosthetic rehabilitation following invasive surgery, particularly in a total maxillectomy case. However, loss of teeth, palatal denture-bearing area, and vestibular retentive undercuts leaves an inadequate anatomic base to construct the definitive prosthesis. This results in compromised retention and stability. The retention problem can be resolved by fabricating an obturator that engages remaining undercuts. But in such acquired large defects, if all undercuts are engaged, the prosthesis may become too heavy, non-retentive, and challenging to insert, particularly in patients with very high and large defects. Therefore, in this case fabrication of two-piece magnet retained hollow obturator was described to make a prosthesis light weight with the use of thermoplastic polyvinyl chloride sheet in first part which provides adequate retention by engaging the desirable undercuts. The second part of the obturator was made hollow by the use of urinary catheter that was removed easily after completion of denture processing. After this, both the parts were attached together with the use of magnets. This technique is economical and easy to use to restore both function and esthetics in patients with bilateral maxillectomy defect.