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


AO Arigbede
OO Dosumo
OP Shaba

Abstract

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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. The facial assessment was done using the technique described by Lang and the result is rated as: Excellent; Very good; Good; Fair; Poor.
Results: There were 12 patients aged between 18 and 60 years who had maxillary resection resulting in partial maxillary defect. Eight patients (66.7%) recorded excellent facial appearance, three (25%) recorded a very good appearance while the remaining one patient had a fair result. Out of those who recorded excellent results, five had class I surgical defect, two had class II and the remaining one had class VI.
Conclusion: The majority of the patients were, at least, very satisfied with their facial aesthetics. The class of the surgical defect appeared to affect the resultant facial appearance perception.


Port Harcourt Medical Journal Vol. 1(1) September 2006: 9-11

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eISSN: 0795-3038