Fabricating a Hollow Obturator with Visible Light‐Cured Resin System

Abstract

Obturators are routinely used in the rehabilitation of maxillectomy defects. Ideally, obturators should be easily constructed to produce a comfortable and stable prosthesis. This article describes a technique that provides an easy method for the construction of an obturator prosthesis using a visible light-cured (VLC) resin. As a result, technicians can easily construct obturators in little time; this would, in turn, provide patients with light, comfortable, and tolerable prostheses.

Fabrication of a Hollow Obturator as a Single Unit for Management of Bilateral Subtotal Maxillectomy

“…Various methods have been described in the literature to fabricate closed‐hollow obturators 9–30 . The classic technique for hollowing the obturator is to grind out the interior of the obturator after processing while monitoring the thickness of the walls 9 .…”

“…Chalian and Barnett 19 advocated the placement of an acrylic resin shim, whereas Tanaka et al 20 suggested the incorporation of polyurethane foam into the defect area of the prosthesis to create the hollow section. Additional techniques include the use of combinations of casts, impressions, and complex laboratory procedures, rendering them time‐consuming and limited in application 21–30 . The predictable internal dimension of the hollow space cannot be achieved by most of the techniques previously described.…”

“…They concluded that hollow obturator prostheses had significantly increased weight reduction, from 6.55% to 33.06% depending on the size of the defect. Numerous methods have been described to fabricate the open and closed hollow obturator prostheses to make them lightweight 6–30 . Most of these methods have their own limitations, such as multiple processing techniques.…”

Difference in Water Accumulation Patterns Between Solid and Closed Hollow Obturators Under a Thermal Cycle

“…8,9 However, an in vitro study showed no water accumulation inside a closed hollow obturator for at least 6 months at constant temperature and humidity simulating the conditions of the oral cavity. 5 Several reports have also shown that improved fabrication methods 10 and base materials 11,12 reduce water accumulation inside a closed hollow obturator. These studies suggest that water absorption by the acrylic resin does not necessarily cause accumulation of water in the hollow space of the obturator.…”

The Hollow Bulb Obturator Fabrication, Where do We Stand in 2017

“…On the other hand, closed hollow bulb obturators, do not pool moisture and no accumulations of any type, while still extending adequately into the defect and providing more retention and support, various materials have been advocated for bulb fabrication [10]. Some of these materials include lightcured resin, autopolymerising acrylic resin, and silicone rubber [11,12]. Silicone rubber, while advantageous in particular clinical situations, yet, it has porous nature, and poor longterm durability, what necessitates routinely from period to period replacement [7,13].…”