A case of improved dysfunction after maxillary cancer resection with a maxillary prosthesis

Abstract

Patient: A 76-year-old man visited complaining of pronunciation difficulties. The patient was diagnosed with right-side maxillary gingival cancer and underwent partial maxillectomy. The palatal defect had perforated the nasal cavity and maxillary sinus. The maxillary prosthesis had no sealing effect against the palatal defect resulting in rhinorrhea. Thus, the final maxillary prosthesis was designed to seal the defect tightly and form the palatal floor appropriately to resolve the problems caused by the palatal defect.

Discussion: The final prosthesis improved the patient’s single-syllable intelligibility. The inserted prostheses resulted in good outcomes in terms of chewing, swallowing, and pronunciation.

Conclusion: The closure of defects and the morphology of the palatal floor are essential to improve mastication, swallowing, and pronunciation in patients with palatal defects.