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

• Published in: Journal of medicine and life Vol. 17; no. 3; pp. 375 - 380
• Main Authors: Saadellaoui, Ines, Bekri, Sana, Labidi, Amel, Yaala, Mohamed Ben, Mabrouk, Yosra, Mansour, Lamia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Romania Carol Daila University Foundation 01.03.2024; Carol Davila University Press
• Subjects: Case Report; Computer-Aided Design; Defects; Dental Prosthesis Design; Dentistry; Design; Edentulous; Female; Humans; Lasers; Maxilla - surgery; Middle Aged; Mouth; Palatal Obturators; Patients; Prostheses; Quality of life; Squamous cell carcinoma; Surgery; Swallowing; Teeth; Working hours; prosthesis; computer-aided design; obturator; selective laser melting; selective laser sintering; optical impression; computer-aided manufacturing; squamous cell carcinoma
• ISSN: 1844-122X; 1844-3117; 1844-3117
• DOI: 10.25122/jml-2024-0017

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.