Maxillofacial Prosthetics Question And Answers

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Maxillofacial Prosthetics: Questions and Answers

Maxillofacial Prosthetics Introduction

Maxillofacial prosthetics is a specialized field within dentistry focused on restoring facial structures lost due to trauma, disease, or congenital conditions. This article provides a comprehensive set of questions and answers related to maxillofacial prosthetics, aimed at students and professionals in the field.

Maxillofacial Prosthetics Definition

Obturator: “A prosthesis used to close a congenital or acquired tissue opening, primarily of the hard palate and/or contiguous alveolar structures”.

Surgical Obturator: It is defined as “A temporary prosthesis used to restore the continuity of the hard palate immediately after sur- gery or traumatic loss of a portion or all of the hard palate and/or contiguous alveolar structures”.

Interim Obturator: It is defined as “A prosthesis that is made several weeks or months following the surgical resection of a portion of one or both maxillae. It frequently includes replacement of teeth in the defect area.’

Definitive Obturator: It is defined as “A prosthesis that artificially replaces part or all of the maxilla and the associated teeth lost due to surgery or trauma”.

Read And Learn More: Prosthodontics Question And Answers

Maxillofacial Prosthetics Important Notes

1. Types Of Obturator

  • Based On The Phase O Treatment
    • Surgical Obturators -Types:
      • Immediate surgical obturator – Inserted at the time of surgery
      • Delayed surgical obturator – Inserted 7–10 days after surgery
      • Definitive obturators
      • Interim Obturators
  • Based On The Material Used
    • Metal obturators
    • Resin obturators
    • Silicone obturators
  • Based On The Area Of Restoration
    • Palatal obturator
    • Metal obturator

2. Materials Used In Maxillofacial Prosthesis:

  • Heat cure acrylic resin
  • Polyvinyl chloride and copolymers
  • Polyurethane elastomers
  • Silicones
  • Polyphosphates
  • Chlorinated polyethylene

Maxillofacial Prosthetics Short Essays

Question 1. Treatment Planning for a maxillary prosthesis.
Answer:

  1. First Phase – Initial Stabilization
    • Maxillary Prosthesis lasts for 2 weeks
    • The physician determines the prognosis
  2. Second Phase – Early management
    • Maxillary Prosthesis extends for 2–8 weeks
    • Treatments like inter maxillary Fixation, Splinting, and RCT are done
  3. Third Phase – Intermediate management
    • Maxillary Prosthesis extends for 3–8 months
    • A treatment prosthesis is provided and defects are evaluated
  4. Fourth Phase – Definitive management
    • Maxillary Prosthesis extends from 6 months – 3 years
    • A permanent prosthesis is fabricated

Question 2. Obturators.
Answer:

Obturators Definition: “A prosthesis used to close a congenital or acquired tissue opening, primarily of the hard palate and/or contiguous alveolar structures”.

Types Of Obturators:

1. Based On The Phase Of Treatment:

  • Surgical Obturators: It is defined as “A temporary prosthesis used to restore the continuity of the hard palate immediately after surgery or traumatic loss of a portion or all of the hard palate and/or contiguous alveolar structures”.
    • Surgical Obturators Types:
      1. Immediate Surgical Obturator:
        • Inserted at the time of surgery
      2. Delayed Surgical Obturator: Inserted 7 -10 days after surgery
        • Interim Obturators: It is defined as “A prosthesis that is made several weeks or months following the surgical resection of a portion of one or both maxillae. It frequently includes the replacement of teeth in the defect area.
          • This prosthesis when used, replaces the surgical obturator that is placed immediately following the resection and may be subsequently replaced with a definitive obturator”.
        • Definitive Obturators: It is defined as “A prosthesis that artificially replaces part or all of the maxilla and the associated teeth lost due to surgery or trauma”.

2. Based On The Material Used:

  • Metal obturators
  • Resin obturators
  • Silicone obturators

3. Based On The Area Of Restoration:

  • Palatal obturator
  • Metal obturator

Fabrication Of Obturators:

  • Plan the design and extent of the obturator
  • Primary impression is made
  • Fabricate the custom tray
  • Carry out border molding by asking the patient to swallow
  • The final impression is made using alginate or elastomeric impression materials
  • Record the jaw relation and arrange the teeth. Insert the prosthesis

Uses Of Obturators:

  • Provides stable matrix for surgical packing
  • Reduces oral contamination
  • Effective speech obtained post-operatively
  • Permits deglutition
  • Reduces the psychological impact of surgery
  • Reduce the period of hospitalization

Question 3. Materials for a maxillofacial prosthesis.
Answer:

1. Acrylic Resin: Preferred for restoring defects that require minimal movement

Advantages Of Acrylic resin:

  • Easily available
  • Commonly used material
  • Intrinsic and extrinsic coloration can be used
  • Has better colour stability

Disadvantages Of Acrylic Resin:

  • Rigid
  • Difficulty in duplicating

2. Acrylic Copolymers: They are plasticized methyl methacrylate polymers that are not commonly used

Disadvantages Of Acrylic Copolymers:

  • Tacky so leads to a collection of dust and stains
  • Poor edge strength
  • Poor durability
  • Degrades under sunlight

3. Polyvinyl Chloride And Copolymers: It is a hard, clear, tasteless, and odorless resin

Disadvantages Of Polyvinyl Chloride And Copolymers:

  • Excessive shrinkage
  • Long processing time
  • Discoloration
  • Hardening of the margins

4. Chlorinated Polyethylene:

  • Chlorinated Polyethylene requires metal molds for processing

5. Polyurethane Elastomers:

  • Have excellent elasticity
  • Used to restore defects
  • Has moisture sensitivity during processing
  • Poor color stability

6. Silicones: The most commonly used material

  • Silicones Types:
    • Implant grade
    • Medical grade
    • Clean grade
    • Industrial grade

7. Polyphosphates

8. Adhesives:

  • Used to retain a maxillofacial prosthesis

9. Metal:

  • Used to obtain bone anchorage for a prosthesis

Maxillofacial Prosthetics Viva Voce

  1. The interim obturator can serve up to 6 months
  2. The goal of the interim obturator is to restore deglutition and speech
  3. The surgical obturator is used for approximately 5 days

Maxillofacial Prosthetics Conclusion

Maxillofacial prosthetics plays a vital role in improving the quality of life for individuals who have experienced facial disfigurement.

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