In some cases, there is recurrence of the defect after palate surgery, due to tension, cut of palate artery or any other reasons. In these cases, a new attempt can be done again only after 2 to 3 months, so that the tissues can be re-vascularized. There is great amount of scar tissues, fibrous tissues.

In those cases of several unsuccessful attempts of closing hard palate defects, a prosthetic material can be used to plug the defect. They are called obturators. They avoid food and liquids to fully get into the nose. This plug effect is very beneficial to the animal, causing a great comfort during feeding.

There are 2 techniques: direct and indirect. The materials can vary, from rubber to acrylic or metal.

In the direct technique, the material is directly put into the defect and is hardened there (in general made of silicone). Although it is a direct way, the hardened silicone put in place needs to be removed during the procedures in order to remove excesses, and shape the plug in the best way. The plug is naturally fixed in place, without any suture. The fixing areas are the transition between the mouth and nose, that is, the hard palate. Part of the plug while still soft, molds into the nose and sets into this position. Excess then is removed in the hands of the surgeon and put back several times until the desired shape is achieved.

In the indirect technique, a mold/impression is taken from the defect with alginate. With the mold in the hand, it is shaped into the proper form, with removal of excesses. The impression is then molded with acrylic resin. An amount of acrylic is put around the impression of alginate, in a ball shape surrounding it. After polymerization is complete, the alginate is removed and the acrylic is shaped until the best form is achieved in a way that will keep the prosthesis in place, naturally, fixed in the nose area. This acrylic can also be done in a laboratory, cast in a light metal.

Regardless the material of the plug, mainly the rubber ones, they need to be replaced once or twice in a year, due to accumulation of dental plaque. Cleaning it is not enough. Some owners can remove it during the week and brush it, which is very good for keeping it clean. Some animals start to develop some irritation in the soft tissues in contact with the obturator. Some can even enlarge the defect due to this irritation, and the plug can fall off, and a new one needs to be replaced.

Defects in the rostral area of the maxilla are harder to keep plugs in place, due to less amount of hard and soft tissue for the obturator to fix.

In our experience, there are several animals that used plugs for over 10 years, with good results.