Sharaf Mohamed Yahia, Ibrahim S. I And Eskander A.E,

ABSTRACT
Objective: To Evaluate Patients Satisfaction Of Obturator With Attachment Versus Conventional Obturator In Treatment Of Unilateral Maxillectomy.

Materials and Methods: Fourteen Patients Were Selected According To The Following Criteria : Patients Having Sufficient Number Of Natural Teeth (class I And Or Class IV Aramany Classification) Not Less Than Five Teeth, Intact Soft Palate, Sufficient Mouth Opening, Not Exposed To Radiotherapy Or Chemotherapy. Patients Were Divided Into Two Equal Groups, Each Of Seven Patients: Patients Of Group I (Comparator) Received A Clasp Retained Obturator, While Patients Of Group II(Intervention) Received An Attachment-retained Obturator (RCT). The Design Of The Definitive Obturator For Group I Included Double Aker�s Clasp On The First, Second Premolars And Molars With Alternating Buccal And Lingual Retention, Palatal Plate As A Major Connector And A Meshwork Extension At The Defect Side. For Group II, Crown Preparation Of All The Remaining Abutments Was Done. Then, In The Wax Pattern, A Lingual Guiding Plane Was Prepared And Two OT Vertical Attachments Were Attached Mesial To The Most Anterior Abutment And Palatal To The Second Premolar And First Molar. Construction Of The Splinted Crowns Were Completed And The Final Impression Was Made With The Splinted Crowns In Place To Be Picked Up Into The Impression. After Final Try-in Of The Obturator, Construction Of The Definitive Obturator Was Completed With A Hard Resin Hollowed Obturator Bulb, Functional Relining With Soft Silicone Liner For Both Groups. Evaluation Included Patient Satisfaction (primary Outcome)where Two Scales Were Followed In This Study Which Are �The Obturator Functioning Scale� And �The European Organization For Research And Treatment Of Cancer Head And Neck 35�.

Results: Patients Of Group II Were Highly Satisfied With Their Obturators, After 1, 3 As Well As 6 Months Follow-up; There Was A Statistically Significant Difference (P<0.05) For The Obturator Functional Scale Scores And The European Organization For Research And Treatment Of Cancer Head And Neck 35

Conclusions: Attachment Retained Maxillary Definitive Obturators Can Be Considered A Satisfactory Treatment Modality For Patients With Acquired Maxillary Defects. Clinical Implications: This Study May Shift The Clinical Work From Conventional Trend In Attachment Trend Which May Improve Patients Satisfaction And Quality Of Life.