Oromaxillary prosthetic rehabilitation of a maxillectomy patient using a magnet retained two-piece hollow bulb definitive obturator; a clinical report

Finite element analysis of displacement with single and two piece hollow bulb obturator prosthesis

Background

Rehabilitation of hemi-maxillectomy defects is difficult and challenging when there is displacement of obturator prosthesis. The literature lacks data on the displacement of different types of obturators. The intent of the study was to evaluate the differences in displacement between the single and two piece hollow bulb obturator prosthesis in Aramany Class I maxillectomy defect.

Methods

Finite element (FE) model of Aramany Class I maxillectomy defect restored with single and two piece closed bulb obturator was fabricated based on patient computed tomography (CT) scan. Finite element analysis (FEA) with three different load applications was done to measure the displacement of the obturator. Graphical and numerical values of displacement were obtained and the results were tabulated.

Results

The results were obtained as displacement colour images and the numerical displacement values. The displacement of two piece obturator was 4.779e-8, 6.372e-8, 7.965e-8 compared to single piece obturator 4.509e-8, 6.012e-8, and 7.5151e-8. There was marginal numerical increase in magnitude of displacement in two piece obturator compared to single piece obturator.

Conclusion

The study observed no significant difference in displacement between the obturator. The numerical difference in displacement is more in two piece obturator compared to the single piece obturator.

Rehabilitation after severe maxillectomy using a magnetic obturator (a case report)

This report presents oral rehabilitation of a maxillectomy patient after cancer surgery by fabricating a prosthesis comprising of a denture and a custom-made magnetic retainer. Herein, we present a case of hemimaxillectomy due to squamous cell carcinoma, which was efficiently rehabilitated with implants. Patient's condition and his profile acceptably improved following rehabilitation.