Case Report

Management of a Maxillary Defect Caused by Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw with a Two-Piece Obturator: A Four-Year Case Report

Volume: 49 Number: 3 December 12, 2025

Management of a Maxillary Defect Caused by Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw with a Two-Piece Obturator: A Four-Year Case Report

Abstract

This case report describes the prosthetic rehabilitation of a maxillary defect resulting from medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) using a two-piece obturator-prosthesis system. A 75-year-old male patient with a history of prostate cancer and long-term antiresorptive therapy developed an oroantral communication following surgical resection of necrotic bone. Given the extent of the defect and the patient’s functional limitations, a two-piece obturator was designed, integrating a silicone-based soft liner for defect closure and a removable partial denture with a metal framework for retention. The prosthesis incorporated precision attachments on natural teeth and locator abutments on pre-existing implants to optimize stability and function. Follow-up assessments demonstrated significant improvements in phonetics, mastication, and overall patient satisfaction. A four-year follow-up confirmed the longterm success of this approach, emphasizing the advantages of a two-piece obturator over conventional single-unit designs. This case highlights the importance of individualized prosthetic planning for patients with MRONJ-related maxillary defects, offering a functional and durable solution to enhance quality of life.

Keywords

References

  1. 1. Ramasamy TV, Chandra J. An innovative sectional silicone obturator in a patient with partial maxillectomy: A Case report. J Indian Prosthodont Soc 2020; 20: 115-119.
  2. 2. Sukumaran P, Fenlon MR. Two-piece obturator using “lock-andkey” mechanism. J Indian Prosthodont Soc 2017; 17: 207-211.
  3. 3. MacCarthy D, Murphy N. Replacement of an obturator section of an existing two-piece implant-retained edentulous obturator. J Prosthet Dent 2000; 83: 652-655.
  4. 4. Naveau A. Preliminary impression for maxillary defect: A twostep technique. J Prosthodont 2024; 33: 611-616.
  5. 5. Öztürk E, Saruhan N. İlaca Bağlı Olarak Çene Kemiklerinde Görülen Osteonekroz (Mronj): Derleme. J Biotechnol Strateg Health Res 2010; 3: 8-20.
  6. 6. AlRowis R, Aldawood A, AlOtaibi M, Alnasser E, AlSaif I, Aljaber A et al. Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ): a review of pathophysiology, risk factors, preventive measures and treatment strategies. Saudi Dent J 2022; 34: 202-210.
  7. 7. Bhatia V, Bhatia G. Aesthetic rehabilitation of a patient with an anterior maxillectomy defect, using an innovative single-step, single unit, plastic-based hollow obturator. Plast Aesthet Res 2015; 2: 140-143.
  8. 8. Patil PG, Patil SP. Fabrication of a hollow obturator as a single unit for management of bilateral subtotal maxillectomy. J Prosthodont 2012; 21: 194-199.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Prosthodontics

Journal Section

Case Report

Publication Date

December 12, 2025

Submission Date

March 18, 2025

Acceptance Date

May 12, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 49 Number: 3

APA
Karayel, A. B., & Ersu, B. (2025). Management of a Maxillary Defect Caused by Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw with a Two-Piece Obturator: A Four-Year Case Report. Clinical Dentistry and Research, 49(3), 172-177. https://doi.org/10.65022/clindentres.1660664
AMA
1.Karayel AB, Ersu B. Management of a Maxillary Defect Caused by Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw with a Two-Piece Obturator: A Four-Year Case Report. Clin Dent Res. 2025;49(3):172-177. doi:10.65022/clindentres.1660664
Chicago
Karayel, Aslı Bengisu, and Bahadır Ersu. 2025. “Management of a Maxillary Defect Caused by Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw With a Two-Piece Obturator: A Four-Year Case Report”. Clinical Dentistry and Research 49 (3): 172-77. https://doi.org/10.65022/clindentres.1660664.
EndNote
Karayel AB, Ersu B (December 1, 2025) Management of a Maxillary Defect Caused by Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw with a Two-Piece Obturator: A Four-Year Case Report. Clinical Dentistry and Research 49 3 172–177.
IEEE
[1]A. B. Karayel and B. Ersu, “Management of a Maxillary Defect Caused by Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw with a Two-Piece Obturator: A Four-Year Case Report”, Clin Dent Res, vol. 49, no. 3, pp. 172–177, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.65022/clindentres.1660664.
ISNAD
Karayel, Aslı Bengisu - Ersu, Bahadır. “Management of a Maxillary Defect Caused by Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw With a Two-Piece Obturator: A Four-Year Case Report”. Clinical Dentistry and Research 49/3 (December 1, 2025): 172-177. https://doi.org/10.65022/clindentres.1660664.
JAMA
1.Karayel AB, Ersu B. Management of a Maxillary Defect Caused by Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw with a Two-Piece Obturator: A Four-Year Case Report. Clin Dent Res. 2025;49:172–177.
MLA
Karayel, Aslı Bengisu, and Bahadır Ersu. “Management of a Maxillary Defect Caused by Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw With a Two-Piece Obturator: A Four-Year Case Report”. Clinical Dentistry and Research, vol. 49, no. 3, Dec. 2025, pp. 172-7, doi:10.65022/clindentres.1660664.
Vancouver
1.Aslı Bengisu Karayel, Bahadır Ersu. Management of a Maxillary Defect Caused by Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw with a Two-Piece Obturator: A Four-Year Case Report. Clin Dent Res. 2025 Dec. 1;49(3):172-7. doi:10.65022/clindentres.1660664