Shark Fin Titanium Hollow Bulb Obturator: A Treatment Concept.

Restoring esthetics and function for patients with maxillectomy defects presents a complex challenge for the clinician. Obturator prostheses are subject to rotational forces during function, allowing movement into the defect. Gaining prosthesis support from endosseous implants can limit the amount of rotation. Xerostomia and impaired tissue healing caused by radiation therapy further complicates the treatment for such patients. Several resilient and rigid obturator design concepts are available for restoration of such defects. This clinical report describes a design concept used to treat a patient with a maxillectomy defect caused by tumor resection secondary to a squamous cell carcinoma.