Rehabilitation of a maxillectomy case with telescopic crowns: a case report

Prosthodontic rehabilitation of acquired defects of the maxilla is a challenge in terms of reestablishing oronasal separation. Most of the times these goals are met by means of obturator prosthesis. Preservation of the remaining hard and soft tissues in such patients is very much essential in order to have a good retention, stability and support for the prosthesis. It is very much imperative to fabricate a prosthesis to provide proper function to the patient. Various techniques have been developed to enhance the retention and stability of the prosthesis, some of them being extension of the obturator bulb into the undercuts within the defect, use of magnets, implants etc. Telescopic crowns have been an adjunctive utility to prosthetic dentistry since a very long time. The biomechanics of telescopic crowns aid in providing a good retention and stability to the prosthesis. In the following clinical report a patient with a status of Subtotal Hemi Maxillectomy is presented in whom telescopic copings were incorporated into the cast hollow bulb obturator to enhance the retention and stability of the prosthesis.