A Novel Laboratory Technique of Fabricating a Definitive Hollow Obturator using Brown Sugar

摘要

Obturators are prostheses that help to seal congenital or acquired tissue openings of hard, soft palate and adjacent structuresand restore patient’s lost function, comfort and aesthetics. In the process of its fabrication, the extension of the obturator oftendepends on the patient’s presentation of the tissue defect. In large maxillofacial defects, the retention of the obturator is oftencompromised due to increased inter-ridge distance and the weight of the prosthesis. In such cases, light weight hollow obturatorscan enhance the retention, stability of the prosthesis and further improve patient comfort. Brown sugar is soluble in water andcan be shaped with ease and removed from the prosthesis, without leaving any residue. We propose an investment techniqueusing brown sugar as a three dimensional spacer for fabricating hollow obturator. Solubility of brown sugar over the commonlyused hollow spacer materials such as salt and granulated sugar was compared and further verifed for any residues in the hollowobturator. Uniform thickness of the obturator wall has been accomplished through use of heat polymerized pellets on the tissuesurface of the obturator mould.