title: Use of Orbital Conformer to Improve Speech in Patients with Confluent Maxillectomy and Orbital Defects.
abstract: The basic objective in prosthetic restoration of confluent maxillary and orbital defects is to achieve a comfortable, cosmetically acceptable prosthesis that restores speech, deglutition, and mastication. It is a challenging task complicated by the size and shape of the defects. The maxillary obturator prosthesis often satisfies the objective of adequate deglutition; however, orbital defects that are not obturated in the medial, septal, or posterior walls allow air to escape, negatively impacting phonation. This article describes a technique to achieve favorable prosthetic rehabilitation in a patient with a maxillectomy and ipsilateral orbital exenteration. The prosthetic components include maxillary obturator, orbital conformer, and orbital prosthesis connected using rigid magnetic attachments.
authors.affiliation: Division of Oral Oncology and Maxillofacial Prosthetics, Department of Dentistry, Erie County Medical Center, Buffalo, NY.
authors.forename: Amanda C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Colebeck
authors.affiliation: Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Dental Medicine, Department of Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL.
authors.forename: Michael T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Kase
authors.affiliation: Private Practice, Seneca, SC.
authors.forename: Cindy B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Nichols
authors.affiliation: Dental Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY.
authors.forename: Marjorie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Golden
authors.affiliation: Dental Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY.
authors.forename: Joseph M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Huryn
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008437:Maxilla; D008441:Maxillary Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008447:Maxillofacial Prosthesis; D017233:Orbit Evisceration; D010158:Palatal Obturators; D013060:Speech
keywords: Maxillary obturator; maxillofacial prosthesis; ocular prosthesis; prosthetic technique