title: Management of the maxillary cancer patient--what the general dentist should know.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Maxillary defects are created following surgical treatment of patients with benign and malignant neoplasms, trauma or congenital defects. The size of these defects influences the degree of debilitation.
  
  
  METHODS
  This patient lacks the conventional support, stability and retention when fabrication of the prosthesis is planned. The prosthesis that is used to close this palatal defect is called the hollow bulb obturator. CLINICAL OUTCOMES: It improves speech, deglutition, esthetics and function for the patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Dentistry, Memphis, TN, USA. skaruaga@uthsc.edu
authors.forename: Sanjay
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Karunagaran
authors.forename: Sony C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Markose
authors.forename: Gregory J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Paprocki
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D003779:Denture Design; D003822:Denture Liners; D003781:Denture Retention; D003832:Denture, Partial, Removable; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008437:Maxilla / Q000601:surgery; D008441:Maxillary Neoplasms / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D010158:Palatal Obturators; D013499:Surface Properties