INTRODUCTION
Maxillary defects are created by surgical treatment of benign or malignant neoplasms, as well as congenital malformation and trauma and their occurrence is also associated with the enucleation of maxillary cysts (1). Squamous cell carcinomas account for two thirds of the malignant neoplasms of the upper gingiva and hard palate. Lesions in these areas account for 1-5% of total occurrence in the oral cavity.1 Adjacent structures are vulnerable to metastasis during the confirmation of the diagnosis. With this eventuality, the recommended treatment for these types of lesions is alveolectomy, palatectomy, partial or total maxillectomy. These treatment outcomes depend on the location and aggressiveness of the actual lesion, its histiotype, patient’s age and general health status (1). Patients with acquired maxillary defects differ from those with congenital defects due to the abrupt alteration in physiologic processes associated with surgical resection of the maxillae (1). The post-surgical effects have affect the form and function of normal stomatognathic system. The quality of life of the patient is therefore reduced as the end state can be particularly severe (2).
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