CLINICAL EXPERIENCE WITH A FLEXIBLE NYLON OBTURATOR IN A PATIENT WITH AN ACQUIRED MAXILLARY DEFECT

The article presents a clinical case of prosthetic rehabilitation of a 42-year-old female patient with an acquired maxillary defect following surgical treatment of ameloblastoma. A flexible nylon obturator was fabricated to restore the separation between the oral and nasal cavities and improve the patient's functional condition. A combined digital- conventional protocol was used: an initial 3D scan was performed to obtain a digital model and design an individualized impression tray, followed by a definitive silicone impression. The fabricated obturator was evaluated clinically for retention, stability, adaptation, speech, mastication, swallowing, and patient comfort. Subjective satisfaction was assessed using a visual analogue scale. The flexible nylon obturator demonstrated satisfactory adaptation to the anatomical configuration of the defect, adequate retention and stability, and favorable functional and subjective outcomes. The presented clinical approach may be considered a practical option for the prosthetic rehabilitation of selected patients with acquired maxillary defects.