Mastication in maxillectomy patients: a comparison between reconstructed maxillae and implant supported obturators: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to compare masticatory performance and patient reported eating ability of maxillectomy patients with implant-supported obturators and patients with surgically reconstructed maxillae. METHODS This cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada and at Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+), Maastricht, The Netherlands. Eleven surgically reconstructed maxillectomy patients have been included at University of Alberta and nine implant-supported obturator patients at MUMC+. The mixing ability test (MAT) was used to measure masticatory performance. In addition, the oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) was measured with shortened versions of the oral health impact profile (OHIP) questionnaire. Values of the implant-supported obturator group versus the surgical reconstruction group were compared with independent t-tests in case of normal distribution, otherwise the Mann-Whitney U test was applied. RESULTS Patients with reconstructed maxillae and patients with implant-supported obturator prostheses had similar mean mixing ability indices (18.20 ±2.38 resp. 18.66 ±1.37; p=0.614). The seven OHRQoL questions also showed no differences in masticatory ability between the two groups. CONCLUSION With caution, the results of this study seem to confirm earlier results that implant-supported obturation is a good alternative to surgical reconstruction for all Class II maxillary defects. With both techniques, the masticatory performance is sufficiently restored, with careful planning being highly desirable.