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A new technique for fabricating hollow prostheses for maxillary defects based on a digital process
Peng Zhu1, Hongping Zhao1, Jingguang Pan1
1State Key Laboratory of Military Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Department of Prosthodontics, School of Stomatology, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China.
A new digital workflow simplifies fabricating hollow obturators for maxillary defects, reducing patient visits. This digital approach offers a reproducible and less technique-sensitive method for prosthetic rehabilitation.
Area of Science:
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Biomaterials Science
- Digital Dentistry
Background:
- Maxillary defects often require hollow obturators for prosthetic rehabilitation.
- Traditional fabrication methods are complex, time-consuming, and require multiple patient visits.
- Digital technologies are increasingly explored for improved prosthetic rehabilitation of jaw defects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a novel digital workflow for fabricating hollow obturators for maxillary defects.
- To demonstrate the efficiency and clinical applicability of a computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) approach.
- To reduce the number of patient follow-up visits required for prosthetic rehabilitation.
Main Methods:
- Acquisition of 3D oral models using digital scanning.
- Digital design and fabrication of hollow prosthesis components via CAD-CAM.
- Extraoral assembly and bonding of the prosthesis using auto-polymerizing resin.
Main Results:
- Successful fabrication of hollow obturators using the digital workflow.
- Maxillary defect rehabilitation completed in a single follow-up visit.
- The digital technique demonstrated excellent reproducibility and reduced technical sensitivity.
Conclusions:
- The digital workflow offers an innovative and efficient alternative to traditional prosthetic fabrication methods for maxillary defects.
- This technique is easy to popularize and apply, with broad clinical prospects.
- Digital technologies significantly enhance the prosthetic rehabilitation process for jaw defects.
