CAD CAM Aided Hollow Bulb Obturator – A Technical Case Report


Authors : Dr. Rubasree Balu

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 5 - May


Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/fjzfnwkk

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25may2029

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.


Abstract : A rewarding area of Prosthodontics is the rehabilitation of patients with acquired maxillary defects. The utilization of obturator prostheses stands as the foremost therapeutic approach for rectifying acquired maxillary defects. Obturator is the prosthesis used to close a congenital or acquired tissue opening, primarily of hard palate and or contiguous alveolar structures. This intervention yields enhancements in speech, mastication, swallowing, and facial aesthetics, accomplished through the restoration of oro-nasal separation. Moreover, obturator prostheses have demonstrated the capacity to ameliorate patients’ psychological well-being and overall quality of life. Notably, hollow bulb obturators offer advantages such as reduced weight, increased retention, and that prevents fluid and food accumulation. This clinical report describes the prosthetic approach employed in rehabilitating an acquired palatal defect specifically of type IV per the Aramany classification employing definitive hollow bulb prosthesis, utilizing CAD/CAM technology.

Keywords : CADCAM, Definitive Obturator, Hollow Bulb Obturator, Maxillary Defect, Weightless Denture.

References :

  1. Glossary of Prosthodontic terms; The Journal Of Prosthodontic Dentistry; ninth edition,2017
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  11. Sharayu Vinod Nimonkar et al; A method of hollowing the obturator prosthesis and an overview on the pros and cons of the various materials used for hollowin JOURNAL of MEDICINE and LIFE. VOL: 14 ISSUE: 3 MAY-JUNE 2021
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A rewarding area of Prosthodontics is the rehabilitation of patients with acquired maxillary defects. The utilization of obturator prostheses stands as the foremost therapeutic approach for rectifying acquired maxillary defects. Obturator is the prosthesis used to close a congenital or acquired tissue opening, primarily of hard palate and or contiguous alveolar structures. This intervention yields enhancements in speech, mastication, swallowing, and facial aesthetics, accomplished through the restoration of oro-nasal separation. Moreover, obturator prostheses have demonstrated the capacity to ameliorate patients’ psychological well-being and overall quality of life. Notably, hollow bulb obturators offer advantages such as reduced weight, increased retention, and that prevents fluid and food accumulation. This clinical report describes the prosthetic approach employed in rehabilitating an acquired palatal defect specifically of type IV per the Aramany classification employing definitive hollow bulb prosthesis, utilizing CAD/CAM technology.

Keywords : CADCAM, Definitive Obturator, Hollow Bulb Obturator, Maxillary Defect, Weightless Denture.

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