Abstract
A 72 year-old male underwent partial maxillectomy due to odontgenic clear cell carcinoma and suffered from difficulties in mastication, dysphagia, articulation disorders, and esthetic concerns. To restore oral functions and esthetics, a closed hollow bulb obturator was planned in the edentulous maxilla with the defect. The tissue undercut in the defect was used to engage for gaining retention and stability of the obturator prosthesis; lingualized occlusion was applied to gain optimal stability of the prosthesis. The obturator was fabricated and adjusted at regular intervals. The initial self-assessed masticatory ability of 10% increased to 50% at 1 year after delivery of the obturator prosthesis using a questionnaire designed by Sato. The oral functions and esthetics were improved by the closed hollow bulb obturator using the undercut in the defect.
