REHABILITATION OF PATIENT WITH SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA

Introduction: Several methods have been advocated for reconstructing maxillectomy defects. The use of an obturator prosthesis is one of them. Effective obturation of maxillary defects produces sufficient separation of the oral and nasal cavity to improve the quality and intelligibility of speech. Prodecure: A patient aged 65years presented to Government Dental College and Hospital, Srinagar with the chief complaint of swelling in the right posterior region of palate. Patient was completely edentulous in both the arches. Clinical examination revealed a large granular swelling involving the right posterio- lateral portion of hard palate and posterior alveolar ridge. Patient was referred to the Department of Prosthodontics for construction of maxillary obturator. Prosthodontic rehabilitation of the defect was organized into three stages of treatment. Firstly an immediate surgical obturator was fabricated which was placed after the surgical removal of tumour. After 2 weeks impressions were made and an interim obturator was fabricated. After 3 months of healing a patient was given a definitive prosthesis. Conclusion: Quality of life of patients with maxillary defects can be improved with the provision of a properly designed obturator. The prosthetic obturator can restore mastication, swallowing, esthetic particularly the midface, resonance and speech. Patients with maxillofacial defects who undergo rehabilitation can resume their social habits in the normal way.