SILICONE RELINING OF MAXILLARY HOLLOW OBTURATOR TO ACCOMMODATE FOR CHANGE IN ORO-NASAL DEFECT ANATOMY – A CASE REPORT

Abstract

Oral cancer constitutes 1/3rd of all human cancers and it's the 6th most occurring cancer worldwide. Maxillary neoplasm is mostly treated by surgical resection of the maxilla and adjoining structures. The ablative surgery frequently results in communication between oral and nasal cavities, this causes functional impairment of speech and swallowing which can be treated either by reconstructive surgery or rehabilitation with an obturator prosthesis. Though reconstructive surgery offers better patient comfort, it is not possible in many situations particularly when the defect is large and when there is a need for radiation therapy. Obturator is the primary method of rehabilitating larger maxillary defects. Numerous techniques of hollow bulb fabrication have been mentioned in the literature from time to time to improve the resonance of speech and to reduce the weight of the prosthesis. In this case report a direct investment method of waxed-up closed hollow bulb obturator is used. And silicone relining of the obturator was done to improve the patient's comfort and accommodate for the change in oro-nasal defect size