Definitive maxillary obturator prosthesis: Timelines for fabrication and follow‐up. (12th May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ahmed, Zain Uddin; Flynn, Jessica; Riedel, Elyn R.; Huryn, Joseph M.; Rosen, Evan B.
• Is Part Of: Special care in dentistry. Volume 40:Number 3(2020)
• Page Start: 315
• Page End: 319
• Publication Date: 2020-05-12
• Subjects: fabrication -- maxillary defect -- maxillary obturator prosthesis -- maxillectomy -- oral cancer -- rehabilitation; People with disabilities -- Dental care -- Periodicals; Older people -- Dental care -- Periodicals; Hospital dental service -- Periodicals; Dental Care for Disabled -- Periodicals; Dental Service, Hospital -- Periodicals; Geriatric Dentistry -- Periodicals; 617.60087
• DOI: 10.1111/scd.12471
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0275-1879

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: A definitive maxillary obturator prosthesis can be used to rehabilitate a maxillary defect with the aim of improving speech, deglutition, and elimination of oronasal regurgitation. The aims of this study were (1) to determine the time required to fabricate a definitive maxillary obturator prosthesis and (2) to compare the fabrication and follow‐up times between a patient's first and second definitive maxillary obturator prosthesis. Materials and methods: A retrospective review was completed of patients that had maxillary definitive obturators fabricated following head and neck surgery from 2002 to 2018 ( n = 173). Demographics, clinical data, date of surgery, start date of fabrication, follow‐up dates, and prosthesis follow‐up data were collected. Results: The median time to delivery of the patient's first definitive maxillary obturator prosthesis from the date of surgery was 7.7 months for nonradiated patients and 9.6 months for radiated patients ( P ≤ .05). Additionally, there was a significant difference in the median number of appointments to fabricate the 1st definitive maxillary obturator prosthesis as compared to the 2nd prosthesis (6 vs 5; P ≤ .05). Conclusion: Fabrication timelines differed based on history of radiotherapy and patient experience. This data is helpful to set expectations for patients and practitioners regarding the process for prosthesis fabrication and follow‐up.