title: Function of obturator prosthesis after maxillectomy and prosthetic obturator rehabilitation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Maxillary defects are usually rehabilitated by a prosthetic obturator.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to evaluate the functioning of obturators prosthesis in patients with unilateral defects after maxillectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Of 49 patients, 28 underwent to maxillectomy as a result of tumor ablative surgery, and acquired unilateral maxillary defects. Evaluation of the function was performed by applying the Obturator Functional Scale (OFS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  From a total of 49 patients, 28 were treated as follows: 9 with a conventional retained obturator prosthesis (COP), 11 (39%) with an enhanced retentive obturator prosthesis with stud attachment (POP) and 8 (28%) with an enhanced retentive obturator prosthesis with magnetic attachment (POM). The mean OFS score was 80. Scores on functions of speech, swallowing and chewing reached statistical significances (p<0.05) among these three subgroups. Comparing COP and MOP groups, the scores of OFS in the domains of "Speech-ability to speak in public" and "Swallowing-leakage with liquids" were significantly higher in AOP group. Comparing COP group, the scores of OFS in "Swallowing-leakage with solid" and "Chewing/eating" domains were increased significantly (p<0.05) both in MOP and AOP groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Obturator prosthesis improves oral function of patients after maxillary defects; the retention of the obturator prosthesis enhanced by the addition of attachments showed more benefits in oral function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery, Stomatology Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University College of Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
authors.forename: Cheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery, Stomatology Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University College of Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
authors.forename: Wenhao
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, College of Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
authors.forename: Ling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: Department of General Dentistry, Stomatology Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University College of Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
authors.forename: Zheng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery, Stomatology Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University College of Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
authors.forename: Linmei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery, Stomatology Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University College of Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
authors.forename: Shaoming
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery, Stomatology Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University College of Medicine, Xincheng District, China. Electronic address: zhikeqian@sina.com.
authors.forename: Pro Ke-qian
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Zhi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008441:Maxillary Neoplasms / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D008447:Maxillofacial Prosthesis; D008875:Middle Aged; D010158:Palatal Obturators; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Maxillofacial prosthesis; Mouth neoplasms; Neoplasias da boca; Prótese maxilofacial; Questionnaires; Questionários; Recovery of function; Recuperação da função