Enhancing retention of maxillary obturators using dental implants

The purpose of the present paper is to review available information on the methods of enhancing retention of maxillary obturators. A maxillofacial prosthesis used to close, cover, or maintain the integrity of the oral and nasal compartments resulting from a congenital, acquired, or developmental disease process, i.e. cancer, cleft palate, osteoradionecrosis of the palate. The prosthesis facilitates speech and deglutition by replacing those tissues lost due to the disease process and can, as a result, reduce nasal regurgitation and hyper nasal speech, improve articulation, deglutition, and mastication. The methods enhancing retention of maxillary obturator are various and selection of it depends on the amount of retention needed and the nature of the defect. Conventional methods include clasps, silicone soft liner, and sectional prosthesis. A introduction of dental implants in obturator brings wonderful improvement in performance of obturator by exhibiting better mechanical qualities. With diff erent types of attachment the dental implant solved the major problems that encountered with conventional obturator dental implants with appropriate attachments system dramatically improve the retention of the maxillary obturators when recommended prosthetic protocols are followed for the rehabilitation of those cases.