One step polymerizing technique for fabricating a hollow obturator

Abstract

PurposeAlthough a closed hollow obturator is often applied to post maxillectomy patients, it has a few problems such as complexity of fabrication and water leakage to inside. A one step curing technique to fabricate a closed hollow obturator by constructing a small hollow bulb made by two thermoplastic resin sheets is described in the present report. MethodsIn the one step curing technique, after dewaxing the wax denture fabricated conventionally, one size smaller hollow body was fabricated with two thermoplastic resin sheets and set into the investment mold as a core. Then the circumferential part of obturator was cured by the pour type resin.This technique was used to fabricate an obturator prosthesis in a 60-year-old post-maxillectomy patient. The weight of this obturator was well controlled and the definitive prosthesis weighed 22g. At a one year follow-up, the obturator fared well without any water leakage or breakage. ConclusionsThis technique allows the fabricator to control the thickness and weight of the obturator by the amount of relief provided by the hollow bulb. It also rectifies the disadvantages of the closed hollow obturator such as water leakage and complexity of fabrication.