Immediate Oral Rehabilitation Using a Surgical Obturator with Buccal Extension After Partial Maxillectomy: A Case Report and Literature Review

Maxillary defects resulting from surgical treatment of tumors, congenital malformations, and traumas might interrupt patients’ speech, mastication, swallowing function, and physical appearance. The surgical obturator serves to restore the continuity of the palate as an immediate prosthesis after surgery. It provides an anatomically accurate, clean scaffold for surgical dressing while supporting and keeping the facial flap pressure. We report a case of temporary immediate oral rehabilitation after partial maxillectomy. A 39-year-old woman presented with a benign right maxillary tumor. Postoperatively, a surgical obturator with the addition of a buccal extension was placed. Buccal extension is a high buccal flange that supports the facial flap and, consequently, maintains the facial esthetics. This modified obturator also serves as a scaffold for surgical dressing and temporary defect closure between the nasal and oral cavities. We also outline a brief literature review of oral rehabilitation using a surgical obturator after maxillectomy. In the present case, follow-up evaluation showed that the obturator supported the upper lip, lifted the nasal lobe of the affected area, and provided a more symmetrical facial feature. Oral function improvements, such as swallowing, speech, and better facial profile, were also observed.