Light is Right—Various Techniques to Fabricate Hollow Obturators

Abstract

Management of malignancies and abnormal growths in maxillary sinus often include ablative surgeries. The closure of the resulting anatomical defect can be achieved with an obturator prosthesis. Reduction in weight of the obturator is an important consideration in improving the retention and stability of the prosthesis. Hollowing the bulb of the obturator (extension of the prosthesis into the defect) is an effective method of reducing the weight of the prosthesis. Such obturators can be one piece or two pieces. Of the many methods to make an obturator hollow, four techniques are described here. Along with the pros and cons of each, the method of fabrication is detailed as well. It is the discretion of the operator to apply these techniques aptly for fabrication of either an interim or a definitive prosthesis.

Finite element stress analysis of Aramany class I maxillectomy defect with single‐ and two‐piece closed bulb obturators

“…In designing of obturator, when the defect is large, excess bulk of the prosthesis exert dislodging and rotational forces on the abutment teeth. 15 The results of the current study discernibly indicate that hollowing of prosthesis either as a single-piece or two-piece design reduced the stress onto the teeth as well as the supporting structures. Tie et al 18 FEA studies on stress evaluation of obturator prosthesis restored with removable partial denture proved that the obturator prostheses could avoid the stress concentration on living teeth and could benefit the retention and power support.…”

“…In designing of obturator, when the defect is large, excess bulk of the prosthesis exert dislodging and rotational forces on the abutment teeth 15 . The results of the current study discernibly indicate that hollowing of prosthesis either as a single‐piece or two‐piece design reduced the stress onto the teeth as well as the supporting structures.…”

“…But in case the defect is too large for one‐piece prosthesis to be seated and retrieved with ease, two‐piece obturator design is opted. The two segments of the prosthesis are secured with magnets for retention 15,16 . Presently no studies have been done to research the stress discrimination between a single‐piece and two‐piece maxillary obturators in a class I defect when subjected to different axial load application.…”

Contemporary treatment modalities for definitive rehabilitation of acquired maxillary defects – A review

“…21 Titanium and its alloys have been used to fabricate light obturator framework. 22,23 Various spacer materials have been suggested to improve hollow bulb fabrication such as acetate, 24 modeling clay with tin foil 25 and salt with cellophane. 25 Moreover, newer materials have been suggested for bulb fabrication such as, thermoplastic resin, 26 thermoplastic splint material, 27,28 Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) material 29 and flexor material.…”

“…22,23 Various spacer materials have been suggested to improve hollow bulb fabrication such as acetate, 24 modeling clay with tin foil 25 and salt with cellophane. 25 Moreover, newer materials have been suggested for bulb fabrication such as, thermoplastic resin, 26 thermoplastic splint material, 27,28 Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) material 29 and flexor material. 21,23 Simplified laboratory procedures have been proposed for hollowing of the obturator, such as: 1) processing the obturator in separate parts and then fusing them together with resin material or anchoring systems, 4,12,30 2) incorporation of spacer within the bulb to form a hollow cavity.…”