前歯部顎欠損を伴う上顎無歯顎患者の機能回復に顎義歯を用いた症例

抄録

A 79-year-old female underwent partial maxillectomy due to squamous cell carcinoma. The patient used a maxillary denture for a defective jaw, however, masticatory dysfunction was caused by denture instability. A new maxillary denture for the defective jaw was fabricated because an implant prosthesis was not selected in consideration of the risk of systemic disease and the patient’s wishes. A hollow obturator was attached to the maxillary denture for the defective jaw. The obturator was formed by applying the tissue undercut in the defect to improve retention and bracing of the denture. Furthermore, beading operation was performed at the margin of the defect in the anterior division of the hard palate in order to seal the denture. Five years after the maxillary denture for the defective jaw was reproduced, the score of initial self-assessed masticatory ability of 10 increased to 35, and the score of masticatory performance using test gummy jelly increased from 0 to 2, in comparison with the old denture.
Although edentulous patients have maxillary defects such as in the present case, using the limited remaining alveolar ridge and tissue undercut effectively can provide high retention and stability for the maxillary prosthesis, thus improving oral functions.