It is a common misconception that defects of the upper jaw – or maxilla – cannot be reconstructed and that patients are better having an obturator. An obturator is a removal prosthesis that is made by the dentist and fits into the defect and covers it. However they often leak, patients find them uncomfortable and they affect quality of life.

Here at the Head And Neck Surgery: London, we believe that maxillary excisions should be treated like any other head and neck defect and should be reconstructed using a free flap. This provides patients both with a permanent solution and allows us in the majority of cases to place bone in the area allowing for dental implant placement.

Out of the last 30 maxillary defects defects treated by the team, only one required an obturator for medical reasons.

If you would like an opinion to find out if you could be suitable for maxillary reconstruction, please contact us.