A 47-year-old female reported to the department of prosthodontics with a chief complaint of broken prosthesis causing difficulty in speech and nasal discharge of water and exudates into the mouth. Past dental history revealed that patient underwent surgical treatment for cleft lip and cleft palate 10 years back, with missing incisors and canine in right quadrant of maxilla. Post-surgery patient was using labial obturator to cover the maxillary defect. Clinical examination revealed maxillary defect extending from alveolar ridge of maxillae in relation to 11, 12 and 13 missing teeth to hard palate involving part of mid palatal raphae. The patient was rehabilitated with obturator closing the defect and replacing the missing teeth along with it to restore esthetics. The obturator was relined with soft liner with Intaglio Extension utilizing favorable undercuts for retention atraumatically (Figure 1) (Figure 2) (Figure 3).

Obturator prosthesis is commonly used in cases of maxillary defects to separate oral cavity and nasal cavity. It helps to restore speech and normal deglutition [1]. Designing of prosthesis is critical in maxillary defects [2]. In this case, retentive design of prosthesis was planned in a way to extend the intaglio soft liner extension into the favorable undercut into the defect area approximating the soft tissue [3][4]. Favorable soft intaglio extension will impart proprioception and retention. Overall treatment provided a positive impact on physical health and psychological well-being of the patient.

Obturator prosthesis improves oral function. Appropriate planning of obturator improves deglutition, speech, esthetics, retention and enhances psychological comfort. It benefits the morale of the patients.

1. Chen C, Ren W, Gao L, et al. Function of obturator prosthesis after maxillectomy and prosthetic obturator rehabilitation. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol 2016 Mar–Apr;82(2):177–83.   [CrossRef]   [Pubmed]    
2. Parr GR, Tharp GE, Rahn AO. Prosthodontic principles in the framework design of maxillary obturator prostheses. J Prosthet Dent 1989 Aug;62(2):205–12.   [CrossRef]   [Pubmed]    
3. Brown KE. Clinical considerations improving obturator treatment. J Prosthet Dent 1970 Oct;24(4):461–6.   [CrossRef]   [Pubmed]    
4. Riaz N, Warriach RA. Quality of life in patients with obturator prostheses. J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad 2010 Apr–Jun;22(2):121–5.   [Pubmed]