Implant-supported edentulous maxillary obturators with milled bar attachments after maxillectomy

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical results of implants and milled bar supported edentulous maxillary obturators following the surgical ablation of maxillary tumors. Patients and Methods: Seven patients with malignant tumors of the maxilla were studied. All patients underwent partial or total maxillectomy. Implants were installed in the remaining maxilla and milled bar supported obturators were fabricated. Masticatory efficiency, biting abilities, speech function, and changes in the marginal bone level around the implants were evaluated without the prostheses, with the previous prostheses, and with the implant-supported prostheses. Results: All implants were osseointegrated. All patients wore milled bar supported obturators and masticatory and speech functions markedly improved. There was no complication during the follow-up period. Conclusions: These results suggest that a maxillary obturator supported by milled bar attachments is useful for oral rehabilitation in patients with resected edentulous maxilla. (C) 2004 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.