Prosthodontic Rehabilitation after Partial Maxillar Resection by Obturator Denture Retained with the System of Attachments – Case Report

Surgical resection in oral and facial area caused by malign tumor results in loss of morphological and functional integrity of the upper jaw and the adjacent anatomic structures [1]. In these anatomo-morphological conditions, phonetics, mastication and swallowing functions are impaired, the symmetry of the face is lost, communication between nasal and oral cavity is present and patient’s quality of life is diminished [1-5]. The most suitable methods of reconstruction after total or partial maxillar resection are primary surgical reconstruction or prosthetic therapy with obturator dentures different designs [6, 7, 8]. Planocellular carcinomas of the upper jaw are commonly treated by surgical resection, the most often without possibility for reconstruction of the defect [9]. Successful reconstruction of a defect after total or partial maxillar resection to the level of normal function and aesthetics is still challenge in prosthetic dentistry [10]. The main purpose of obturator dentures, which are similar in design to partial denture, is to establish the function of the oral and facial system. Stability and retention of the denture is determined by localization and the extent of the defect, as well as the number and the position of the remaining teeth and periodontal health [10, 11]. Nowadays, there is a wide selection of different obturator dentures, such as open or closed obturator, and they can be combined with different attachment systems and implants [9]. Attachments combined with post-resection obturator dentures are mostly used to improve retention but a certain level of resilience is necessary to compensate stress during mastication as well as to prevent food impaction into the defect. The aim of this study was to present the case of prosthodontic rehabilitation of a patient after partial maxillar resection with obturator dentures retained with the system VKS-OC radicular attachment.