| | Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 3 "OCF across the pond" Member | OP  "OCF across the pond" Member
Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 3 | Has anyone got a good fitting obturator, It is 10 years since my Hemi maxillectomy, I am just having a new one made from Thermo Plastic. All the acrylic obturatos have caused me lots of damage to the bucall area in my mouth,eating is still hard work painfull, just aint met anyone who has agood one | | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Alex, welcome to OCF. Congrats on being a 10 year survivor! Im sorry you have not yet had anyone respond to your post. I dont personally have that type of experience but I still wanted to welcome you and let you know OCF does have some members who use an obturator. I have seen successful stories from members using the obturator. I think misskate has one and has been living a successful life with it. Im sure you will hear from someone soon who has experience with this type of situation. Here is a link to misskate's profile. You can click on view posts to read some of her posts. misskate's profile Best wishes with everything!
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 | alex I have a palate drop which is somewhat similar but not the same as an obdurator. I do not know if the UK has something similar to a prosthodonist (actually a maxillofacial prosthodontist which is a sub specialty) here in the US. It is a dentist who has had additional training and degrees in making obdurators, palate drops and other prosthetics from dentures to artificial facial components like noses, eyes and so much more. The problem is that here in the US, any dentist can legally make one. Of course any surgeon can do an operation also, but it usually works out for the best if you have your oral appliance made by someone who specializes in such and moreover is familiar with oral cancer. Here is a summary of obdurators on the OCF web page Obdurator OCF I'm sorry I cannot help more. Charm
65 yr Old Frack
Stage IV BOT T3N2M0 HPV 16+
2007:72GY IMRT(40) 8 ERBITUX No PEG
2008:CANCER BACK Salvage Surgery
25GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin
Apaghia /G button
2012: CANCER BACK -left tonsilar fossa
40GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin
Passed away 4-29-13
| | | | | Joined: May 2010 Posts: 5 Member | | Member
Joined: May 2010 Posts: 5 | Hi Alex,
I have been wearing an obturator since my maxillectomy 2-1/2 years ago. It's made of a combination of metal and acrylic. I have to say it fits pretty well. There are times when I actually almost forget I'm wearing it. I went through countless adjustments with my prosthodontist before getting it right. I wish you best of luck with your new one. Remember- don't settle for just an "okay" fit. Persist with your doctor, until you are comfortable. It's too important to settle for anything less!
Best wishes- and come back and report on the new one.
Michelle
Diagnosed at age 41
Intermediate Grade Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma of Minor Salivary Gland
Presented in Hard Palate
Partial Maxilectomy 4/26/10
IMRT radiation completed 7/10
Obturator
| | | | | Joined: May 2009 Posts: 132 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: May 2009 Posts: 132 | Hi, Alex -
Like Michelle, I've been quite happy with my most recent obturator, which is part metal and part plastic. It fits perfectly, allows for easy speaking and eating (save some nose leakage, which I'm pretty sure is inevitable). I had many small adjustments made before this one made the grade -- but it can be done! Hang in there and don't settle for less than what you really want. Best of luck-
Chrissy
Stage 2 SCC upper right palate
Hemi-palatectomy and maxillectomy 5/28/09
Six teeth gone
IMRT x30 starts July 13. Completed 8/26/09
Carboplatin and Taxol x6 starting 7/14/09. Completed 8/25/09.
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 3 "OCF across the pond" Member | | OP "OCF across the pond" Member
Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 3 | Thank you all for your replys, I now have a prosthesis maxilla
It is so different It looks as it dose in anatomy of the head.
pyramid in shape with zigomatic. smaller than an obturator.
all the faclia muscle paths and anteria nasal spine,(which links into the upper lip( Depresso septi muscle) first time I felt my facial muscles working properly, I feel normal it retains in place with the facial muscles rapping well aroud it, It is fantastic, made from Thermo Plastic. I have no lumps in the face. I feel like I have had a hemi-maxila implant
no pain perfectly comfortable, I would post a photo of it but cant on this site, if you wish to see this advanced Prosthesis
Maxilla feel free to emai me thanks again I have never seen one before have you
Last edited by Alex2013; 03-08-2013 08:04 PM.
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,671 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,671 | Alex - How great to hear about the wonderful results you have had with the prosthesis and I'm sure it will be encouraging to so many others. Thanks for posting this!
Anne-Marie
CG to son, Paul (age 33, non-smoker) SCC Stage 2, Surgery 9/21/06, 1/6 tongue Rt.side removed, +48 lymph nodes neck. IMRTx28 completed 12/19/06. CT scan 7/8/10 Cancer-free! ("spot" on lung from scar tissue related to Pneumonia.)
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 4 Member | | Member
Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 4 | Dear Alex,
It is so exciting to hear of the great results you have had with the thermo plastic obturator. I would love to see what it looks like but am not sure how to send an e-mail. I have been wearing an obturator that is acrylic and metal. I am on my third one and there has not been a day that it has been comfortable. Does it mold to your mouth and feel soft or is it hard like the metal and acrylic? I wonder if this is available in the U.S. I thought all hope was gone, this sounds promising.
Linda
Linda, 68
T4a NO MO SCC of the right maxillary tuberosity
Inferior Maxillectomy of the right hard palate & RND 8/16/2010
Interim Obturator
IMRT - 30 days, ended 11/04/2010
Definitive Obturator soon
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 131 "OCF across the pond" Senior Member (100+ posts) | | "OCF across the pond" Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 131 | Hi Alex
I'm in the uk too with a obturator I would love to see your one. I don't have big problems with mine but yours sounds like its got a much better fit and I'd like to see it and find out more
Scc nasal cavity /hard palate
Surgery removal of septum and roof of mouth 15/3/11 cl margins
Rt and cisplatin 6 weeks starting 24/5/11
Obturator
Age 45
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