Postsurgical management with maxillary obturators after maxillectomy.

A partial or complete maxillectomy may be required for the treatment of oral carcinoma, which may cause functional, esthetic, and hygienic deficiencies. The placement of a surgical obturator at the time of surgery can minimize these deficiencies and provide immediate facial rehabilitation, which can have important physical and psychological effects for the patient. Various types of obturators and the techniques used for the fabrication of different types of obturator prostheses are reviewed.