PROSTHODONTIC REHABILITATION OF MAXILLECTOMY DEFECT IN A PATIENT OF MUCORMYCOSIS: A CLINICAL CASE REPORT

Dr. MOUSUMI MONDAL,*
Dr. Debabrata Sarkar,
Dr. Surbhi Yadav,
Dr. Surajit Maji

Abstract

Mucormycosis (Zygomycosis) is an opportunistic fungal infection caused by saprophytic fungus that invades rapidly and it is mainly associated with medically compromised patients. Paltauf first discovered this uncommon infection in human being in 1885.This clinical case report describes a post-operative prosthodontic management of acquired right side total maxillectomy defect caused by mucormycosis in a known uncontrolled diabetic female patient. As a treatment modality for mucormycosis, surgical resection of involved region has been done and surgical intervention creates a communication between the oral cavity and nasal cavity, and missing some part of maxillofacial region with a loss of normal functions like mastication, swallowing, speaking, resonance etc. The goal of prosthodontics is the rehabilitation of missing oral and extraoral structures along with restoration of normal functions like mastication, speech, swallowing, aesthetics etc. But the prosthetic rehabilitation of maxillectomy defect can be challenging because of difficulty in getting adequate retention, stability, and support. The obturator prosthesis is commonly used for rehabilitating this type of total maxillectomy cases by restores the missing structures and acts as a barrier to the communication between oral & nasal cavities.