Indonesian Journal of Prosthodontics
Vol 6 No 2 (2025): December 2025

Restoring function and quality of life through early interim obturator therapy after left hemimaxillectomy

Riddo A. Rudhanton (Unknown)
Astila Fitriana (Unknown)
Agus Dahlan (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
31 Dec 2025

Abstract

Background: Maxillectomy, whether total or partial, results in significant anatomical and functional disturbances, including oronasal communication, impaired mastication, speech difficulty, and esthetic disfigurement. These sequelae can severely affect a patient’s nutritional status, social interaction, and psychological well‑being. Rehabilitation following maxillectomy aims to restore oral function and improve quality of life through obturator prostheses that close the surgical defect Objective: This case report aims to present the clinical management for hemi-maxillectomy Case Report : This report presents the case of a 76-year-old female, a housewife, who was referred to the Prosthodontic Clinic of RSKGMP Universitas Airlangga by an Oncology Surgeon for the fabrication of an obturator. The patient presented two weeks after hemi-maxillectomy surgery performed on. The patient complained of oronasal communication, hyper nasal speech, and difficulties in mastication and swallowing postoperatively; she had no previous experience using any obturator prosthesis. An interim acrylic obturator was planned to restore oral-nasal separation, improve speech intelligibility and swallowing function, and support psychological adaptation during the healing phase. Clinical procedures included impression-taking of the maxillary defect, jaw relation recording, tooth arrangement, and fabrication of an acrylic obturator supported by the remaining teeth. Follow-up evaluations demonstrated marked improvement in speech resonance, masticatory efficiency, deglutition, and patient comfort, with gradual adaptation to the prosthesis. Conclusion: This case report highlights the importance of timely interim obturator rehabilitation in elderly post-hemi‑maxillectomy patients to restore function, improve quality of life, and reduce psychological distress. Keyword maxillofacial prosthesis, obturator, maxillectomy, spindle cell sarcoma

Copyrights © 2025






Journal Info

Abbrev

ijp

Publisher

Subject

Dentistry

Description

Indonesian Journal of Prosthodontics publishes research articles the best practices and policies of dental research regarding all aspects of oral and occlusal rehabilitation, fixed/removable prosthodontics, oral implantology and applied oral biology and ...