Modified bypass in maxillary hollow-bulb obturators.

A new technique is presented for adding a bypass to an edentulous obturator. Fluids which seep into the defect and nasal secretions may pass to the oral cavity through a diagonal tubing in the obturator. Features of this obturator bypass include: (1) use of 8-gauge wax and autopolymerizing acrylic resin to assure the patency and smoothness of the bypass, (2) beveling of the oral opening and creating a tortuous course for the tube to allow for preservation of intraoral pressure so that speech is not affected, and (3) creation of a funnel where the tube opens on the tissue side of the obturator bulb permitting easy collection of fluids.