Heat-cured soft acrylic resin obturator for maxillary osteomyelitis rehabilitation: A patient-centered approach

This patient-centered approach describes the prosthetic rehabilitation of a 66-year-old male diagnosed with maxillary osteomyelitis, treated using a heat-cured soft acrylic resin obturator. Following bilateral sequestrectomy of the maxillary molar region, a perforation to the left maxillary sinus was identified. The patient was referred to the maxillofacial prosthetics clinic at Institute of Science Tokyo for rehabilitation. Treatment commenced with the placement of an immediate surgical obturator, followed by a definitive obturator fabricated conventionally with heat-cured soft acrylic resin to minimize tissue irritation. Speech performance was assessed using digital acoustic analysis, and patient satisfaction was evaluated through a structured questionnaire. While the definitive obturator fit well and reduced nasality in speech, the patient initially reported difficulties with consonant production. Subsequent adjustments to the obturator's polished surface improved speech articulation, leading to patient satisfaction with the obturator. This case highlights the effectiveness of a rehabilitation using heat-cured soft acrylic resin obturator and the detailed adjustment of it referring to the result of acoustic analysis in restoring function and achieving high satisfaction levels in patients with maxillary osteomyelitis. (Int J Maxillofac Prosthetics 2025;8:17-22)