Tumour removed from jaw and obturator

[Ash]

Hi, I'm new here and would greatly appreciate and help/advice I can get. I'm 21 and 2 years ago I had a benign tumour removed from my right upper jaw. This resulted in having part of my jaw bone and part of the roof of my mouth removed and obviously some teeth.
Since then I've had a temporary obturator and had 3 permanent ones made, all of which havent been any good. They dont fit quite right, feel good and most of all dont look good. It really, really gets to me and I get upset a lot becuase of it and have lost my confidence. I can't smile on photos because of it and sometimes feel awakard talking to people as its well known that first impressions are everything. I graduated this week and couldnt even smile on my photos because of it because it picks up on the obturator really badly and looks awful.
Another thing as a result of the surgery was that one of my proper teeth has moved which irratates me as it doesnt look very nice and i can feel it. Before all of this I never ever had any problems with my teeth and had no fillings or anything and I've always looked after them.
I'm now wanting to look elsewhere to get a proper obturator made which isnt just fuctional (i cant eat, drink or talk without it in) but is also aestheticaly pleasing. I want to feel happy and confident again and to be able to smile on photos. I'm only 21 so I have the rest of my life ahead of me and I know I can't put up with this for years and years to come.

Many Thanks.

[Dr Pav Khaira]

Dear Ash, I can certainly understand your frustrations after your surgery. However, an obturator is a highly specialised device and it is unlikely anyone in practice will be able to help you. These devices are generally only made in hospital. I would recommend you speak to your consultant about your concerns

I hope this helps

Kindest regards

[Ash]

Thank you for responding so quickly. Sadly my consultant can't really do much else but I have been in contact over the last 2 days with a cosmetic dental practise about getting one made so hopefully something might work out there. Thanks again.

[Dr Pav Khaira]

I hope it works out well for you

[Ash]

Thank you. Unfortunately all my local places dont make them but after a good amount of contacting other places I have managed to find a good place in London who are able to make an obturator and on the cosmetic side too rather than just function.