30/10/2025
OBTURATORS: How a simple piece of acrylic, crafted by the right hands, and adjusted with care, changes the quality of a patient’s life…
Miss E was referred to me last month and came all the way from Agusan. Nearly 2 years ago she underwent chemo and radiation for nasopharyngeal Ca. She was lucky in that she made it, with only a palatal defect as collatoral damage. However, ever since then, she could not drink or eat properly because fluids would leak out her nose, and food debris would get lodged in the defect. It was very hard to understand her speech, and this was such a blow as she loved to talk and sing!
With the help of Sakura Prosthetics, we were able to take the proper impressions, scan the upper jaw for greater accuracy, and then have an obturator fabricated, which we installed today!
The primary function of an obturator is to facilitate speech, eating, swallowing, and in some cases, improve esthetics. These are often used in cancer defects not suitable for surgical reconstruction due to various issues.
So so happy today to have Miss E be able to speak legibly (albeit we need more practice), finally drink water and rinse without liquids leaking out her nose, and look forward to being able to eat “like a normal person”, as she said.
See you next week Maam, and enjoy your karaoke session later !!!
Maraming salamat sa tiwala !
