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A maxillary obturator prosthesis for an active duty Air Force flyer: a case report
Jeffrey D Fleigel1, George S Tunder, Joe J Villalobos
1United States Air Force Academy, 2355-B Faculty Drive, USAFA, CO 80840, USA.
Objectives:
To fabricate a maxillary obturator prosthesis for an active duty pilot allowing him to return to active flying status.
Methods:
A 24-year-old male active duty U.S. Air Force pilot presented with a history of right posterior maxillectomy due to a keratocyst odontogenic tumor. The patient had been wearing an interim obturator prosthesis for 4 months and was removed from active duty flight status. A comprehensive oral evaluation was completed and a definitive obturator prosthesis was fabricated using a cast metal framework. Extraoral 3D stereophotogrammetry and a facial moulage were accomplished. The patient underwent evaluation for return to active flying status.
Results:
The patient returned to active duty flight status after passing all of the required tests.
Conclusion:
Obturator prostheses may be a suitable treatment option allowing a patient to conduct all of the required functions of an active flyer.
