A New Method for Restoring The Chewing Function after Resection of the Maxilla——Use of Zygomatic Buccal Flange Obturator

A survey of the available literature shows that after resection of the maxilla for removal of neoplastic tissue,the defect is conventionally repaired by hollow obturator or buccal flange obturator.A successful chewing function can not be obtained by these obturators,because there is no supporting area for the denture on the excised side of the maxilla.When both maxillas are resected,it is even more difficult to restore the chewing function.
We have designed a zygomatic buccal flange obturator,using the residual zygomatic process of the maxilla as a supporting area for the denture,through a zygomatic buccal vestibuloplasty with skin graft.By this way,we make the new obturator not only well retained and stable,but also able to restore a good chewing function.The details of the technical procedures were described.