Masticatory performance and oral health‐related quality of life in edentulous maxillectomy patients: A cross‐sectional study to compare implant‐supported obturators and conventional obturators

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this cross‐sectional study was to compare the masticatory performance and oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) of edentulous maxillectomy patients with and without implant‐supported obturator prostheses. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Nineteen edentulous maxillectomy patients with completed prosthetic obturator treatment in the upper jaw participated in this study. In nine patients, the obturator prosthesis was supported by implants in the remaining bone of the midface and/or skull base to improve retention. Masticatory performance was measured objectively by the mixing ability test (MAT) and subjectively by three OHRQoL questionnaires: (a) the Oral Health Impact Profile for EDENTulous people (OHIP‐EDENT), (b) the Obturator Function Scale (OFS), and (c) the Dutch Liverpool Oral Rehabilitation Questionnaire version 3 (LORQv3‐NL). The independent t test and the Mann–Whitney U test were used to test for differences in outcomes of patients with and without implant‐retention of their obturator prostheses. RESULTS: Patients with implant‐supported obturator prostheses had significantly better masticatory and oral function, reported fewer chewing difficulties, and had less discomfort during food intake than did patients with a conventional obturator. CONCLUSION: Supporting prosthetic obturators after maxillectomy with implants improve oral functioning, chewing, and eating comfort. This treatment modality is a viable technique to improve the functionality of prosthetic rehabilitation in patients who have undergone maxillectomy.