A self-assessment pilot study of facial aesthetics following prosthetic obturation in patients with surgically acquired partial maxillary defect

ABSTRACT

"Background: Improved and satisfactory facial aesthetics following prosthetic obturation of surgically acquired partial maxillary defect had been reported in several case reports involving one patient or two; but this number is grossly inadequate for a reliable deduction. Besides; literature is scarce on the relationship between facial aesthetics and the ""class of surgical defect"". Surgically acquired partial maxillary defect has earlier been classified into classes I to VI. Aims: To assess the perception of patients regarding their facial aesthetics following prosthetic obturation and to relate this finding to their classes of surgical defects. Methods: This prospective study was conducted in a tertiary dental centre; University College Hospital; Ibadan. Consecutive patients who had maxillary resection resulting in partial maxillary defect seen over a period of two years were admitted to the study."