Effect of progressive tissue contracture on functionality of obturator prosthesis: A 3-year follow-up

Abstract

This clinical report describes the long-term effect of tissue contracture on functionality of obturator prosthesis. Eleven patients who underwent maxillectomy confined only to the hard palate and rehabilitated sequentially with immediate surgical obturator followed by interim closed bulb hollow obturator were included in the study. These patients were followed up every 3 months for 3 years and obturator prosthesis was relined at each appointment. All patients were evaluated for retention, resonating frequency, and percentage nasality after wearing obturator prosthesis at every 3 months following relining till 3 years. At baseline, mean retention score ± SD (Median), % nasality, and resonating frequency were 7.25 ± 0.62 (7), 12.00 ± 0.74 (12), and 0.12 ± 0.05 (0.115) kHz, respectively. During follow-up intervals, mean retention scores showed a gradual increase from 6-month follow-up itself (7.50 ± 0.52) and reached to the peak value at 24 months (9.17 ± 0.83). With respect to change in % nasality and resonating frequency at different follow-up periods as compared to baseline, a declining trend was observed from the first follow-up (6 months). This declining trend continued in subsequent intervals too with the values reaching to their nadir at 30 months. Literature regarding detrimental effects of tissue contracture exists; however, little has been talked about the beneficial role of tissue contracture on the obturator function. This paper provides an insight about the usefulness of tissue contracture as related to obturator function and retention.