Conservative management of medication-related osteonecrosis of the maxilla with an obturator prosthesis

Abstract

Advanced maxillary medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw can cause extensive hard and soft tissue destruction that results in long-term oroantral fistulae. The surgical treatment of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw may relieve acute symptoms and eliminate the signs of inflammation, but the primary and sustained plastic closure of these defects can challenge both the clinician and the patients. Although the use of obturator prostheses for maxillary defects after ablative oncologic surgery is well documented, studies about this treatment for similar medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw-related defects are missing. This presentation of clinical situations describes the use of obturators as a conservative alternative to repetitive surgery for the rehabilitation of selected maxillary defects with oroantral communications.