Evaluation of Patients Satisfaction of Attachment Retained Versus Clasp Retained Obturators in Unilateral Total Maxillectomy

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"