Comprehensive Prosthetic Management of Acquired Maxillary Defects: A Narrative Review

Department of Prosthodontics, Narayana Dental College & Hospital, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, India

*Corresponding Author: Dr. Kalamalla A SaranBabu, Associate Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, Narayana Dental College and Hospital, Nellore, Andhrapradesh, India, Tel: 8886078222, Email: [email protected]

Received Date: May 27, 2026

Published Date: June 13, 2026

Citation: Sowmya A, et al. (2026). Comprehensive Prosthetic Management of Acquired Maxillary Defects: A Narrative Review. Mathews J Dentistry. 10(2):68.

Copyrights: Sowmya A, et al. © (2026).

ABSTRACT

Acquired maxillary defects are complex anatomical deformities resulting from surgical resection, trauma, infection, or pathological conditions affecting the maxilla and adjacent structures. These defects produce significant impairment in speech, mastication, swallowing, esthetics, and psychosocial well-being. Prosthodontic rehabilitation using obturator prostheses remains one of the most predictable and widely accepted treatment modalities for restoring oral function and facial form in such patients. Obturators re-establish the separation between the oral and nasal cavities, improve phonetics, aid deglutition, and enhance patient confidence. Depending on the stage of healing and treatment requirements, obturators may be classified as surgical, interim, or definitive prostheses. Support, retention, stability, defect classification, tissue state, and residual dentition must all be carefully taken into account while designing a prosthesis. Recent advances including hollow bulb obturators, flexible silicone prostheses, CAD/CAM technology, and implant-supported obturators have significantly improved rehabilitation outcomes. This narrative review discusses the etiology, classification, objectives, types, design principles, impression techniques, hollow bulb prostheses, recent technological advancements, and clinical considerations involved in the prosthodontic management of acquired maxillary defects.

Keywords: Acquired Maxillary Defects, Obturator Prosthesis, Maxillectomy, Hollow Bulb Obturator, Maxillofacial Prosthodontics, CAD/CAM Obturator.