2024, Volume 17, Issue 3, pp 375 – 380

Combination of CAD/CAM technologies and conventional processing in the fabrication of a maxillary obturator prosthesis: a clinical report

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Authors and Affiliations

Corresponding author Ines Saadellaoui Department of Removable Prosthodontics, Approche Biologique et Clinique Dento-Faciale (LR12ES10) Laboratory, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia E-mail: saadellaouiines5@gmail.com

Abstract

Soft and hard tissue defects resulting from resective surgeries for carcinomas located in the maxillary arches can cause functional, esthetic, and psychological damage. A removable obturator prosthesis offers several advantages, restoring oral functions and improving patients’ quality of life. Technological advancements, such as the use of intraoral scanning and computer-aided design (CAD) and manufacturing, reduce laboratory working time, eliminate the risk of impression material aspiration, and address challenges related to whole tissue undercut impression. Here, we report the case of a partially edentulous female patient with a velo-palatal defect for whom a rigid maxillary obturator prosthesis was fabricated. Digital impressions were taken and the standard tessellation language files of the scans were sent to the laboratory. Using dental CAD software, the maxillary metallic framework was designed and manufactured using selective laser melting technology. The obturators and artificial teeth were conventionally processed, with acrylic resin used for the rigid obturators. The resulting obturator prosthesis made it possible to close the oro-nasal communication and to improve swallowing, speaking, and chewing.

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About this article

PMC ID: 11262598
PubMed ID: 
DOI: 10.25122/jml-2024-0017

Article Publishing Date (print): 3 2024
Available Online: 

Journal information

ISSN Printing: 1844-122X
ISSN Online: 1844-3117
Journal Title: Journal of Medicine and Life

Copyright License: Open Access

This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use and redistribution provided that the original author and source are credited.


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