title: Use of obturators in rehabilitation of maxillectomy defects.
abstract: Several methods are available to reconstruct the maxilla after trauma, surgical resection of a tumour or as the result of congenital malformations. For a successful restoration the patient must feel that they can socialize without impediment, they must have acceptable speech, dental appearance and satisfactory oral function. Techniques include placement of an obturator and/or surgical reconstruction with local or free flaps followed by an implant-supported restoration. This presentation aims to demonstrate the advantages and disadvantages of various techniques in providing patients with a functional and aesthetic restoration of the maxillary arch, after surgical resection, for removal of tumours. Surgical techniques for improving the placement and outcome of obturators are discussed. Results from a patient assessment of obturator function is presented, demonstrating the successful use of obturators in patients treated at the Combined Head and Neck Clinic, ORL Department, Greenlane Hospital.
authors.affiliation: Oral Health Unit, Middlemore Hospital, P O Box 93311, Otahuhu, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Borlase
mesh_terms: D003724:Dental Arch / Q000601:surgery; D015921:Dental Implants; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D004955:Esthetics, Dental; D006801:Humans; D008409:Mastication / Q000502:physiology; D008437:Maxilla / Q000601:surgery*; D008441:Maxillary Neoplasms / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000534:rehabilitation; D010158:Palatal Obturators; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D013060:Speech / Q000502:physiology; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants