Rehabilitation using combined oral and maxillofacial prostheses: a case report

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Prosthodontics
• Reconstructive Dentistry

Background:

• Head and neck cancer resection often results in extensive maxillofacial and palatal defects.
• Restoring function and aesthetics after such defects is crucial for patient quality of life and social reintegration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the prosthetic rehabilitation of a patient with a large maxillofacial and palatal defect following cancer resection.
• To detail the fabrication and integration of magnetic maxillofacial and palatal obturators with a mandibular prosthesis.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of custom maxillofacial and palatal obturator prostheses using irreversible hydrocolloid impressions and stone casts.
• Integration of magnetic attachments for connecting intraoral and extraoral prostheses.
• Use of intrinsically pigmented silicone for the maxillofacial prosthesis, matched to the patient's skin tone, with extrinsic pigmentation for enhanced aesthetics.
• Bonding of eyeglasses to the maxillofacial prosthesis for improved stability.

Main Results:

• Successful fabrication and fitting of connected maxillofacial and palatal obturator prostheses.
• Restoration of oral and facial aesthetics and function.
• Improved patient comfort and stability with the integrated prosthetic system.

Conclusions:

• Maxillofacial and palatal obturator prostheses, particularly when magnetically connected, can effectively restore function and aesthetics in patients with extensive defects.
• This prosthetic approach significantly contributes to the patient's social reintegration and improved quality of life.