Use of bar-clip attachments to enhance the retention of a maxillofacial prosthetic obturator: a clinical report.
Precision attachments are commonly used in prosthetic dentistry but are still questioned in maxillofacial prosthetics. The aesthetic enhancement and functional rigidity provided by attachments are favourable features to many challenging clinical situations such as class-III defect (Aramany's maxillectomy classification). Surgical reconstruction is the standard treatment for this type of defect repair. However, owing to the need for dental rehabilitation and patient reserve, prosthetic rehabilitation was the modality chosen in this clinical case. The use of bar attachments is described in this paper as providing increased stability and retention of the prosthesis, and improved obturator water and airtightness.
Etienne
O M G
OM
Prosthodontics Department, School of Dentistry, Louis Pasteur University, Strasbourg, France. etienne.o@wanadoo.fr
Taddei
C A-M I
CA
D003762:Dental Instruments; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D017268:Dental Prosthesis Retention / Q000379:methods; D003829:Denture, Partial; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008447:Maxillofacial Prosthesis; D008875:Middle Aged; D010157:Palatal Neoplasms / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D010158:Palatal Obturators; D021362:Palate, Hard / Q000601:surgery