Rehabilitation of a maxillectomy patient using intraoral scanning impression technology and a computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing fabricated obturator prosthesis: A clinical report

Abstract

Rehabilitation of a partially dentate postmaxillectomy patient using a novel approach is presented in this report. The patient was referred to our practice by the oral and maxillofacial surgery department of the local general hospital for the evaluation and prosthetic treatment planning. He had undergone biopsy for a lesion located in the right quadrant of his maxilla and was scheduled for a hemimaxillectomy for removal of a squamous cell carcinoma. A surgical obturator was prepared for placement at the time of ablative surgery. Following completion of adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy, a digital intraoral impression of the remaining maxilla and mandible was obtained, and a computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing obturator removable partial denture utilizing a selective laser melting -produced metal framework was fabricated and delivered to the patient to restore function and esthetics. The need for conventional impression was eliminated leading to a reduction of necessary appointments and more comfort to the patient.

Keywords

• Digital impression
• intraoral scanning
• obturator
• selective laser melting