Large defects in the hard palate can be difficult to treat surgically, as dehiscence is common. These defects may instead be managed with a palatal obturator, which can serve to separate the oral and nasal cavities. In this report, a 7-year-old, mixed breed dog was treated with a palatal obturator, after presenting with an acquired palatal defect following treatment of a giant cell tumor of bone in the hard palate. The palatal obturator was designed and manufactured using computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM), and 3-dimensional printing. The obturator, anchored to 4 maxillary teeth, was easy to apply and remove, allowing daily cleaning without the need for sedation. The patient showed no symptoms or discomfort related to the obturator or acquired palatal defect over 2 years after initial presentation to the dental clinic.
Keywords: 3-dimensional; 3D printing; CAD/CAM; digital dentistry; intraoral scanner; obturator; palatal defect.