What is a maxillary obturator?

A maxillary obturator is a custom dental prosthesis designed to close the opening created after a maxillectomy, restoring separation between the oral and nasal cavities and improving speech, chewing, and swallowing.

Who needs a maxillary obturator?

Maxillary obturators are commonly used for patients who have undergone maxillectomy surgery for head and neck cancer involving the upper jaw, palate, or sinus.

How does a maxillary obturator improve speech and swallowing?

By sealing the surgical defect, an obturator prevents air and food from passing into the nasal cavity, improving speech clarity, swallowing efficiency, and overall comfort.

Are before-and-after results available for maxillary obturator treatment?

Yes. This page includes before-and-after videos demonstrating functional and aesthetic improvements achieved with maxillary obturator prostheses in real patients.

Can a maxillary obturator be removed for evaluation?

Yes. Maxillary obturators are removable, allowing clinicians to directly visualize the surgical site for monitoring healing and detecting potential recurrence.

Who is involved in maxillectomy rehabilitation?

Rehabilitation is typically multidisciplinary and may involve surgeons, oncologists, speech-language pathologists, and a prosthodontic team experienced in maxillary obturation.

Head and Neck Cancer: Maxillectomy and Maxillary Obturator Rehabilitation

Before Maxillary Obturation

After Maxillary Obturation

Why a Maxillectomy Is Performed

A maxillectomy is sometimes necessary as part of surgical treatment for head and neck cancers, particularly those involving the upper jaw (maxilla), hard palate, or maxillary sinus.

While the procedure is critical for removing cancerous tissue, it can leave an opening between the oral cavity and the sinus or nasal cavity. This opening—known as a maxillectomy defect—often leads to functional and aesthetic challenges, including:

Difficulty chewing and swallowing
Nasal regurgitation, where food or liquids pass into the nose
Changes in speech clarity
Alterations in facial support and appearance

These changes can significantly affect quality of life. Many patients experience emotional stress, self-consciousness, or social withdrawal following the loss of part of the maxillofacial structure.

How a Maxillary Obturator Helps

Rehabilitation after a maxillectomy is a multidisciplinary process that may involve surgical oncology, radiation or chemotherapy, speech and swallowing therapy, and prosthetic rehabilitation.

One of the most effective tools in restoring function is a maxillary obturator—a custom dental prosthesis designed to close the surgical defect and re-establish separation between the oral and nasal cavities.

A properly designed obturator can:

Restore speech, chewing, and swallowing by re-establishing oral–nasal separation
Improve facial support and appearance, reducing visible effects of surgery
Allow direct visualization of the surgical site, supporting early detection of recurrence
Improve confidence and social interaction through functional and aesthetic restoration
Patients who receive obturator prostheses often experience meaningful improvements in speech intelligibility, nutrition, comfort, and overall quality of life.

Comprehensive Rehabilitation at CJ Henley, DMD, PA

At CJ Henley, DMD, PA, we provide thoughtful, compassionate care for patients recovering from head and neck cancer surgery, including maxillectomy rehabilitation.

We collaborate closely with oncologists, surgeons, and speech-language pathologists to design custom obturators tailored to each patient’s anatomy, treatment history, and functional needs.

If you have undergone a maxillectomy, or are preparing for surgery, we invite you to schedule a consultation to learn how maxillary obturation can help restore comfort, function, and confidence.

Care after maxillectomy often falls into the category of Complex & Medically Involved Care requiring careful diagnosis, planning, and coordination across multiple disciplines.

Call (904) 398-1549 to request an appointment.