Obturator issues any advice?

Hi Joanie

I think you will find that an ordinary dentist does not have the experience to manage an obturator but you could ask them.  I had an oabturator for 3 years after my first maxillectomy and had a similar problem with the tooth it was anchored to becoming very painful and sensitive. Until I could get an appt at the dental hospital I used to just half anchor it on the tooth and not push the metal clip all the way up. It just kept me going short term but not very satisfactory as it did keep slipping. The dental hospital put a new clip in and then attached it to the tooth next to the sensitive one and all was O.K. then. You might just have to continue not taking it out until you can see someone at the dental hospital.

I was advised by my specialist dentist to leave it out at night under normal circumstanes which I did. I got quite good at taking a sip of water without having the obturator in but it took a bit of practise as you know the water comes down your nose if the roof of your mouth is not blocked off and if anyone phoned me early in the morning I had to rush to put the obturator back in as my speech was a bit hard to understand without it.

I had a second maxillectomy in 2021 so now have a graft on the roof of my mouth and an upper denture attached to a titanium prosthesis attached to 4 implants. It works quite well but eating is still an issue and I mainly eat very soft or pureed food but at least don't have the issue of fluid coming down my nose.

I do hope you can get a quick result as it can be quite hard when the obturator is not fitting properly and you have a painful tooth. Stress to the Dental Hospital the importance of getting it fixed A.S.A.P.

Lyn