Rehabilitation of lateral maxillary defect with intact ridge using obturator with hollow bulb extension technique

Abstract

Acquired defects in the maxilla lead to oro-antral communication with the nasopharyngeal complex. In recent times, post-Covid necrosis of maxilla due to mucormycosis leads to rapid invasion of surrounding tissues resulting in a maxillofacial defect. The surgically resected maxilla can have a devastating impact on the lifestyle, esthetics, speech and function of the patient. Obturators provide a hollow extension into the defect that seals the oro-antral defect and stops any communication between oral cavity and nasal complex. This case report describes the prosthodontic rehabilitation of a maxillary defect involving the left lateral hard palate and left posterior buccal mucosa with intact ridge over the defect area using a hollow bulb obturator. The lost wax technique used for fabrication of the obturator is an easy, cost-effective technique which is simple to execute from available resources. It provides hollowness to the prosthesis and reduces weight of the prosthesis thereby aiding in retention and stability of the denture.