CASE REPORT
Conversion of a thermoformable obturator as a form of direct repair of a postoperative prosthesis – case report
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Katedra Protetyki Stomatologicznej
Chair of Prosthodontics, Warszawski Uniwersytet Medyczny
Medical University of Warsaw, Polska
Submission date: 2020-07-02
Acceptance date: 2020-07-24
Publication date: 2020-09-05
Corresponding author
Konrad Zbigniew Juszczyszyn
Katedra Protetyki Stomatologicznej
Chair of Prosthodontics, Warszawski Uniwersytet Medyczny
Medical University of Warsaw, Binieckiego 6, 02-097, Warszawa, Polska
Prosthodontics 2020;70(3):321-325
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ABSTRACT
Prostheses equipped with an obturator are commonly used for prosthetic rehabilitation of patients after maxillary resection. The
function of this type of a prosthesis is to close the communication between the mouth and the nasal cavity, fill the postoperative space and
replace lost dentition. In addition to restoring the chewing function, prostheses have a positive effect on swallowing and speech, and also
improve facial aesthetics. Among many types and methods of fabricating obturators, a relatively new solution is to make one from thermoformable material. The material is shaped using a vacuum mold, in a technique similar to the one used to make tooth-whitening splints. This solution has many advantages, including reducing the weight of the prosthesis and the ease of keeping the restoration clean. However, the most common problems are related to the surface fracture of the thermoformable material and loss of retention between the denture and the obturator. The aim of the study is to present a method of a direct repair of a postoperative prosthesis equipped with a thermoformable obturator. The conversionmethod proposed in this paper allows maintaining the original shape of the obturator and restoring the full functionality of the prosthesis in one visit.