Two-step fabrication of an obturator prosthesis for a large maxillary defect with digital speech analysis: A case report

This report describes the prosthetic rehabilitation of a patient with a large maxillary defect. It is often risky and difficult to take an impression of a large defect in a single-step procedure. In this study, we present a clinical technique where the maxillary obturator prosthesis was fabricated by combining two methods: conventional processing using an impression followed by relining of the obturator part to improve retention and support of the prosthesis. This report also describes how digital speech analysis using formants of five vowels can be utilized during the relining and adjustment step, resulting in improved patient satisfaction and comfort. (Int J Maxillofac Prosthetics 2020;3:32-36)