title: Fabrication of a unilateral oral commissure retractor.
abstract: The fabrication of a unilateral device to treat microstomia after trauma is presented. Maximum opening was recorded before treatment. A dual arch impression that captured the dentition and commissure on the affected side was made with vinyl polysiloxane (VPS) impression material. A 1 mm vacuum formed template (VFT) was fabricated over the maxillary dentition, and a 2 mm VFT was fabricated around the commissure. A 0.9 mm (0.036") stainless steel wire was attached with acrylic resin to both templates in order to apply a constant force to the commissure. The use of a helix in the wire allowed for flexibility and adjustment of the retractor. The patient was instructed to wear the retractor for 6 hours per day, and, during a 10-week period, the maximum opening increased from 30 mm to 45 mm.
authors.affiliation: Naval Medical Center, San Diego, Naval Medical Center, San Diego, Calif, USA. stephen.alfano@med.navy.mil
authors.forename: Stephen G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Alfano
authors.forename: Frank E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Lemus
mesh_terms: D000180:Acrylic Resins / Q000737:chemistry; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000628:therapy; D003286:Contracture / Q000628:therapy; D003722:Dental Alloys / Q000737:chemistry; D003760:Dental Impression Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D004867:Equipment Design; D004955:Esthetics, Dental; D006801:Humans; D008046:Lip / Q000293:injuries*; D008047:Lip Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008865:Microstomia / Q000628:therapy*; D011145:Polyvinyls / Q000737:chemistry; D012833:Siloxanes / Q000737:chemistry; D013165:Splints; D013193:Stainless Steel / Q000737:chemistry; D013314:Stress, Mechanical
chemical_list: D000180:Acrylic Resins; D003722:Dental Alloys; D003760:Dental Impression Materials; D003764:Dental Materials; D011145:Polyvinyls; D012833:Siloxanes; C034183:vinyl polysiloxane; D013193:Stainless Steel