What is Maxillofacial Prosthesis?
Maxillofacial Prosthetics is a subspecialty of Prosthodontics that involves rehabilitation of patients with defects or disabilities that were present when born or developed due to disease or trauma. Prostheses are often needed to replace missing areas of bone or tissue and restore oral functions such as swallowing, speech, and chewing. In other instances, a prosthesis for the face or body may be indicated for cosmetic and psychosocial reasons. Prosthetic devices may also be created to position or shield facial structures during radiation therapy. Patients that typically desire prosthetic care are those that have been in an accident, have had surgical removal of diseased tissues, or have a neuromuscular disorder from ALS or a stroke. Children can also be born without full development of ears, teeth, or palate and need specialized care. Maxillofacial Prosthodontists are accustomed to working cooperatively with ENTs, oral surgeons, general and specialty dentists, plastic surgeons, neurologists, radiation oncologists, speech pathologists, anaplastologists and various ancillary personnel. The overall goal of all maxillofacial prosthetic treatment is to improve the quality of life.
What are the Maxillofacial Prostheses?
Featured below are some examples but not limited to prosthetic treatment. Often these prostheses are combined with traditional dental therapy to restore health, function and esthetics to the oral cavity. This comprehensive care is possible because Maxillofacial Prosthodontists initially completed 3 years of advanced training in complex oral rehabilitation.
Extraoral Prostheses:
Ocular Prosthesis: Replaces Eye
Orbital Prosthesis: Replaces Eye and surrounding tissues
Auricular Prosthesis: Replace Ear
Nasal Prosthesis: Replaces Nose
Midfacial Prosthesis: Replaces part of the face which may involve more than one structure
Somatic Prosthesis: Replaces a body part like fingers, hands, etc
Radiation Shield: Worn during radiation therapy for protection of normal tissues
Intraoral Prostheses:
Surgical Obturator Prosthesis: Covers palate after partial or total loss of the maxilla (upper jaw). This is used after surgery to provide closure
Interim and Definitive Obturator: Covers palate after partial or total loss of maxilla or due to cleft palate. It restores teeth and gums and has an extension which closes the defect or hole for swallowing, eating, chewing, and speaking.
Palatal Lift Prosthesis: Helps soft palate assume correct position for speech
Palatal Augmentation (Drop) Prosthesis: Alters palate prosthetically for speech
Mandibular Resection Prosthesis: Replaces portion of the jaw that has been lost and restores gums and teeth
Fluoride Carrier: Tray filled with Fluoride gel for patients with dry mouth from medications, radiation therapy, or certain medical conditions. Helps to strengthen, protect and preserve compromised teeth