A simplified method for making a hollow obturator

DENTAL DANIEL

TECHNOLOGY

H. GEHL,

A simplified

Section editor

method

for making

a hollow

obturator

Victor Matalon, D.D.S.,* and Henry LaFuente** The University of Texas System Cancer Center, M. D. Anderson Tumor Institute, Houston, Texas

Hosfital

and

A

myriad of methods have been employed for producing a hollow obturator. The classic method is to process a solid speech aid and subsequently grind out the unwanted portion. This necessitates a covering for the space that has been ground out. A variation is to shim the defect of the cast and simulate the ridge contour in clay. A wax template for the capping of the obturator is made. Again, both have to be processed and ultimately attached with autopolymerizing acrylic resin. Chalian and associate? suggested a one-piece hollow obturator which necessitates the making of a hollow shim around which the obturator is processed. Others have suggested a two-flask investing technique with an autopolymerizing seal between the two halves. All of these methods are long and tedious and require the assistance of a knowledgeable dental laboratory technician. A simple procedure for the fabrication of a hollow obturator will be described. METHOD ( 1) Invest the impression for the obturator in a flask in the normal manner. (2) Remove the impression material (e.g., boil out the wax). (3) Place separating medium on the investment surfaces. (4) Roll out heat-curing acrylic resin to an approximate 2 mm. thickness when it is in the doughy stage. (5) Pack the periphery of the obturator with rolled-out heat-curing acrylic resin. Thicken those parts where adjustments will be made (Fig. 1) Mr. LaFuente’s training is being supported by the National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Grant No. CN-45 114 for Training Programs for Maxillofacial Prosthodontists and Maxillofacial Dental Technicians. *Associate Surgeon, Maxillofacial Prosthetics. **Dental Technician Trainee, Maxillofacial Prosthetics

580

Simplified

Fig. 1. The periphery

of the defect is packed with

Fig. 2. The depression

formed by the acrylic

Fig. 3. The sugar is poured Fig. 4. Radiation

for

rolled-out

a hollow

obturator

heat-curing

acrylic

resin is filled with granulated

sugar.

out to create a hollow

shield metal is injected

method

581

resin.

obturator.

into the hollow

space.

(6) Fill the center of the concavity created in a previous step with granulated sugar to within approximately 2 mm. of the top (Fig. 2). (7) Pack the mold with heat-curing acrylic resin in the usual manner. (8) Process the acrylic resin according to manufacturer’s specifications. (9) Deflask the prosthesis. (10) Using a No. 8 bur, drill a hole in the superior surface of the obturator. ( 11) Pour out the sugar (Fig. 3). ( 12) Use autopolymerizing acrylic resin to seal the hole made by the bur. ( 13) Finish the restoration in the customary manner. This same technique can be used for fabricating a metal-containing radiotherapy

582

Matalon

J. Prosthet. Dent. November. 1976

and LaFuente

shield. The No. 8 bur hole is the exact size that will accommodate a 50 C.C. disposable syringe which can be utilized to introduce the molten metallic shield material (Fig. 4). Reference 1. Chalian, V. A., Drane, J. B., and Standish, S. M.: Maxillofacial Prosthetics Multidisciplinary Practice-Intraoral Prosthetics, Baltimore, 1971, The Williams & Wilkins Company, pp. 133-157. DR. MATALON M. D. ANDERSON

MR.

TEXAS MEDICAL HOUSTON, TEXAS

ARTICLES

SAN ANTONIO,

TO

APPEAR

E. LaVelle,

IN FUTURE

D. Ray McArthur,

A theoretical semiprecision

prosthesis

prosthetic

D.D.S.,

Richard DSc.

Ph.D.

patients

eyes in orbital

of psychogenic D.D.S.,

of polymeric

properties E. Newburg,

The measurement Jack I. Nicholls,

Ph.D.

prostheses

of the Thompson

dowel

D.D.S.

aspects

and treatment

of bruxism

M.Ed.

materials

Dorsey J. Moore, D.D.S., Zorach Michael G. Linebaugh, D.D.S.

Retentive

for simultaneous

MS.

B.D.S., L.D.S.R.C.S.,

B. Mikami,

Evaluation

prosthesis

for handicapped

analysis of the mechanics intracoronal retainer

Neil S. McLeod,

Donald

78249

D.M.D.

Aids for positioning

A review

ST.

ISSUES

D.D.S., and Duane R. Van Demark,

A new mouthstick Ellis Lutwak,

TEXAS

77030

Construction of a maxillary orthopedic maxillary expansion and obturation William

LAFUENTE

6703 SPRINGHURST

CP-718

HOSPITAL, CENTER

for maxillofacial

R. Glaser,

Ph.D.,

prosthetics

Michael

J. Tabacco,

D.D.S.,

and

of post and core systems D.M.D.,

M.Sc.D.,

and Cornelis

of distortion-Theoretical

H. Pameijer,

considerations

D.M.D.,

M.Sc.D.,