New spring retained surgical obturator for total maxillectomy patient

Abstract

Prosthetic rehabilitation with surgical obturator for total maxillectomy patients is a challenging job because of the lack of normal hard and soft tissue support. In such cases the obturator can be retained with a spring-retained appliance if mandibular dentition is normal. A patient (treated with total maxillectomy) was rehabilitated with a new spring-retained surgical obturator. The spring used in this type of appliance is made up of 23-gauge stainless steel orthodontic wire which incorporates four coils. The spring is simple in design, applying light, clinically acceptable seating force, easily cleansable and causing no soft tissue irritation.

Keywords

• spring-retained appliance
• surgical obturator
• total maxillectomy