Fabricating an obturator using rapid prototyping to design the framework: a case report

Area of Science:

• Prosthodontics
• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science

Background:

• Maxillary defects present significant esthetic and functional challenges.
• Obturators are prosthetic devices used to restore maxillary defects.
• Computer-aided design/computer-assisted manufacture (CAD/CAM) is increasingly utilized in prosthodontics.

Observation:

• A patient with a soft palate defect following hemimaxillectomy required a prosthetic solution.
• The study explored the use of rapid prototyping (RP) for fabricating a custom obturator.
• CAD/CAM software and RP techniques were employed for designing and manufacturing the obturator framework.

Findings:

• The rapid prototyping technique allowed for precise and timely fabrication of the obturator framework.
• This method demonstrated a viable alternative to conventional techniques for obturator construction.
• The fabricated obturator effectively addressed the patient's maxillary defect.

Implications:

• CAD/CAM and RP technologies offer advanced solutions for removable partial denture fabrication.
• These technologies can improve the precision and efficiency of prosthetic restorations for complex defects.
• Further research into CAD/CAM/RP applications in maxillofacial prosthetics is warranted.