Digital Applications in the Fabrication of Obturators in Maxillectomy Defects: A Systematic Review

The traditional approach of rehabilitating maxillofacial defects, as in the case of patients with maxillectomy, is exceedingly complex, tedious, technique-dependent, as well as extremely lengthy because it calls for several clinical appointments. The field of maxillofacial prosthodontics has benefited greatly from the introduction of digital technologies in the modern era. This systematic review was conducted to analyze the outcomes of applications of digital technology for the fabrication of obturators in patients with maxillectomy defects. The PICOS (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcomes, and Study) inclusion criteria were employed in the systematic review, which focused on the query "How effective are obturators fabricated using digital techniques?" An electronic search of databases from 2017 to 2024 (Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus) based on the predetermined eligibility criteria yielded 13 case reports and observational studies. The qualitative methodological assessment of the included studies was done based on the NIH quality assessment tool that provided criteria for special considerations in evaluating case reports and observational studies. The objective of the review was to analyze the application of various digital techniques for the fabrication of obturators in maxillectomy patients as well as to determine if a fully digital workflow is a viable option for effective fabrication of the same. The main outcome of the review was that the application of digital workflows in the fabrication of obturators was found to reduce working time, minimize material consumption, and enhance patient comfort and acceptance.