What are the fabrication steps and the challenges for the patient and the prosthodontist?

Surgical removal of oral cancer often leaves patients with significant defects that consist of loss of bone, soft tissue, and multiple teeth. It sometimes leaves connections between the nasal cavity, the oral cavity, and the sinuses. Making an impression of the defect was always challenging, and most patients did not like the experience given the intrusive nature of the impression process, material, and the open communication of the nasal and oral cavities.

The introduction of digital impressions was a game-changer for everyone. The patient was comfortable during the process, and the obturator fitted well with minimum adjustments. We restored the function and prevented the food and fluid from entering the nose. After delivering the prosthesis, we restored the phonetics, which was done with minimum adjustment.