The hollow box maxillary obturator.

A case is reported assessing the problems encountered after surgical resection of the maxilla. The use of a hollow box obturator and details of its construction are described. The importance of skin grafting of the maxillary defect and use of available anatomical undercuts to optimise support and retention of the obturator is stressed. By provision of a lightweight hollow obturator, the weight of the prosthesis is kept to a minimum, helping retention, and allowing good resonance during speech. Initially the patient was to be assessed for an implant retained prosthesis, however, a satisfactory conventional prosthesis met the functional and aesthetic needs of the patient and avoided the need for further surgery for placement of implants.