Prosthetic Treatment using Magnetic Attachments for a Partially Edentulous Patient with Cleft of Lip, Alveolus and Palate

Abstract

Case: Prosthetic treatment was provided for a partially edentulous female patient with cleft of lip, alveolus and plate. The chief complaint of the patient was aesthetic appreciation disorder by being unable to wear an upper partial denture because of its clasp failure. There were two prosthodontic problems in the case. One was the discrepancy in jaw size, and the other was pressure of the upper lip by scar contraction to the denture. For the former problem, edge to edge occlusion and arrangements of reverse articulation were adopted. For the latter point, magnetic attachments were applied to upper anterior tooth roots to act as anchors for the rotation of denture by lip pressure. In both the diagnostic dentures with interim denture and definitive denture, magnetic attachments were used as retainers.Discussion: Magnetic attachments played an important role for denture retention and stability.Conclusion: The patient was followed for 3 years with no surgical or prosthetic complications.Key words cleft of lip, alveolus and plate, magnetic attachment