Abstract: Objective To evaluate the effect of three different retention methods on the restoration of unilateral maxillary defect. Methods 27 patients with unilateral maxillary defects were divided into three groups according to the different retention methods of prosthesis: 8 cases in the bending clasp group, 10 cases in the casting clasp group, and 9 cases in the attachment combined casting clasp group. One week after the prosthesis was worn in mouth and operated normally, the masticatory efficiency, speech intelligibility and patients' self satisfaction score were measured. The differences of evaluation indexes among the three groups were compared by one-way ANOVA and Tukey HDS test.ResultsThe mean amounts of masticatory efficiency of the three groups were 50.29 ± 5.48, 63.44 ± 4.92 and 69.75 ± 6.18, respectively, with significant differences among the groups (P < 0.05).The mean amounts of speech intelligibility were 60.05 ± 5.31, 82.74 ± 7.12 and 86.40 ± 7.94, respectively, with the worst speech intelligibility in the bending clasp group, which was significantly lower than the other two groups (P < 0.05). In terms of patients' self satisfaction score, the attachment group was the highest, significantly higher than that of the blending clasp group (P < 0.05). The casting clasp group scored significantly higher than that of the bending clasp group in terms of voice clarity, denture stability and chewing function (P < 0.05), but no significant difference between both groups in terms of comfort and aesthetics (P > 0.05).Conclusions The prosthesis with attachment and cast clasp can improve the mastication and speech function of patients with unilateral maxillary defect, and improve the patients' satisfaction and quality of life.If several healthy natural teeth left on the healthy side, the prosthesis with attachment maybe the better method for the unilateral maxillary defect restoration.

Key words: maxillary defect, retention, prosthesis