1997 Judson C. Hickey Scientific Writing Awards. An innovative investment method for the fabrication of a closed hollow obturator prosthesis.

An investment method is described for fabrication of a closed hollow obturator based on the use of three sections of a denture processing flask. The thickness of the obturator portion is minimized and all surfaces exposed to the oral cavity are processed with heat-polymerized acrylic resin. The technique eliminates additional steps noted in the literature, allowing for the prosthesis to be processed to completion from the wax trial denture. This technique provides a lightweight and seamless obturator and can be used for complete or partially edentulous cases. Clinical and laboratory time are minimized while fabricating a durable, virtually water-tight prosthesis that can be used alone or in conjunction with an extraoral prosthesis.