Clinical Application of Magnetic Attachment for Retention and Connection of Maxillofacial Prostheses to an Intraoral Prosthesis

Abstract

Patient: A 73-year-old male patient was introduced by his plastic surgeon to the Kyushu Dental College Hospital. Numerous surgical excisions resulted in a defect in the region of the right upper palate. He also had a skin defect on the right cheek due. Although he had worn a removable partial denture and a facial prosthese, he had been complaining of mastication, articulation, and esthetic problems. Seven inner crowns with keeper of magnetic attachment were fixed to the abutment teeth. Metal welding was done between the outer crowns and metal frame. Magnetic assemblies were fixed into the outer crowns. Four magnetic attachments were applied to connect the partial denture and the obtulator. Two magnetic attachments were also applied to connect the facial prosthese and the obtulator.Discussion: Although the new maxillofacial prosthese was heavier than the old one, the VAS score of the patient’s satisfaction was 100. An articulation, masticatory function, and mealtime were improved.Conclusion: This clinical report describes the fabrication method for a maxillofacial prosthese by applying dental magnetic attachments for retention and connection. The evaluation of mastication and articulation was done before and after wearing the new prosthese and his complaining improved.