Clinical aspects in the prosthetic rehabilitation of upper jaw lesions with the use of a prosthetic obturator. Clinical case presentation

The obturator prosthesis is a prosthetic device designed for the rehabilitation of patients suffering from certain malformations of the upper jaw that may result from certain congenital conditions, trauma or surgical removal of tumor formations. The purpose of the obturator prosthesis is to restore the function of mastication, phonation, swallowing, esthetics but also to create a barrier separating the nasal cavity from the oral cavity. The complexity of the cases and the variety of clinical pictures emphasize the importance of a meticulous treatment plan, the correct performance of practical maneuvers and strict adherence to the clinical-technical steps. Patients with such pathologies also require increased attention during the adaptation period, psychological support, making the necessary corrections and training the patient to clean the prosthesis correctly. However, the given type of prosthetic construction becomes a real challenge in its realization due to both the increased weight of the prosthesis and the lack of tissues that provide the retention and stability so necessary for its maintenance on the prosthetic field.